Medical assistants with computer skills are qualified for a wide variety of research and management support positions. A neat, well-groomed appearance and a courteous, pleasant manner are necessary traits for medical assistants, who have a great deal of contact with the public. Communication skills are especially important. Medical assistants must not only be good at putting patients at ease, but be good listeners and interpret a physician's instructions correctly the first time they are given. Conscientiousness, a sense of responsibility, and respect for the confidential nature of medical information are all necessary qualities in a medical assistant.
Clinical duties require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.
Medical assistants must be able to deal with people who are under stress. Job Outlook Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2000 due to anticipated expansion of the health services industry. Employment growth will be spurred by the increased medical needs of an aging population, growth in the number of heath practitioners, more diagnostic testing, and the increased volume and complexity of paperwork. Most job openings, however, will result from the need to replace experienced assistants who leave the occupation. In view of the preference of many physicians for trained personnel, job prospects should be very good for medical assistants with formal training, experience, or both.