Suppose you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant and are interested in working in a dermatologist’s office. In that case, you may be asking yourself, what does a medical assistant do in a dermatology office? This post provides you with everything you need to know about what medical assistants do at dermatology offices.

If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, consider enrolling in FCC’s Medical Assistant Technician Training Program. The Medical Assistant Program will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on training you need for an entry-level medical assistant career. The great thing about our program is that it can be completed, and you can earn a diploma in as few as 10 months.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do in a Dermatology Office?

Medical assistants working in dermatology offices perform administrative and clinical duties to assist dermatologists and ensure the efficient operation of the office. Dermatologists are doctors who are experts in the diagnoses and treatment of skin conditions. The tasks that dermatologist medical assistants perform are similar to those performed by medical assistants in general.

Medical assistants who work in dermatology offices assist dermatologists with many aspects of their medical practice. They are often the first point of contact for patients coming into the office. That said, you should not confuse dermatologist assistants with medical assistants. Dermatologist assistants work at almost doctor level of care, whereas medical assistants are available to assist with clinical and administrative tasks of a dermatology clinic.

For example, a medical assistant at a dermatologist’s office may be responsible for patient relations, answering telephone calls, interviewing patients to verify their information, and preparing patients for examinations. Let’s explore more of the tasks that medical assistants working in a dermatology office will be required to perform:

Administrative Duties For Dermatology Office Medical Assistants

• Scheduling and confirming patient appointments
• Answering office telephone calls
• Greeting patients
• Updating and maintaining medical records
• Creating and updating medical records
• Coding and preparing insurance forms
• Scheduling referral and testing appointments
• General office administration duties
• Obtaining consent forms from patients
• Handing billing issues for patients

Clinical Duties for Dermatology Office Medical Assistants

• Assisting dermatologists with examinations
• Assisting nurses and dermatologists with procedures
• Guiding patients to the exam room
• Taking and recording patients’ vital signs, height, and weight
• Preparing and collecting lab specimens for testing
• Documenting physical examination findings
• Sanitizing and preparing exam rooms for patients
• Administering injections ordered by the dermatologists
• Preparing patients for surgical procedures (skin tag removal, excisions, chemical peels, and biopsies)
• Assisting dermatologists with cosmetic procedures, such as Botox and Laser treatment

Dermatology offices looking for medical assistants often seek out individuals who enjoy interacting with people, are detail-oriented, and have strong interpersonal skills. This is so because a significant portion of a medical assistant’s job is interacting with patients and assisting doctors who are working with patients. If you’ve ever been to a dermatologist’s office, the lady or gentleman who escorted you to the exam room is likely a medical assistant. Medical assistants ensure that patients are taken care of and that dermatologists, nurses, and other medical professionals have the help they need while caring for patients.

What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Medical Assistant for a Dermatologist?

Most states have no set education and training requirements for individuals to become medical assistants; however, career colleges, including Florida Career College, do require students to have a high school diploma or GED to enroll in a Medical Assistant Training Program. However, if you do not have your GED or high school diploma, don’t feel disappointed because we have options for those who do not have their high school degree.

Even though there are no education requirements for individuals seeking to become medical assistants, obtaining an education and diploma makes candidates more marketable. It helps them stand out of the crowd.

If you’re considering enrolling in a medical assistant program, consider enrolling in FCC’s Medical Assistant Technician Training Program. This program provides you with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on training that you need for an entry-level medical assistant career. The great thing about the program is that it includes an externship that places you with a local healthcare employer, allowing you to practice the skills you’ve learned in a real healthcare facility, preparing you for the real world. Also, the program can be completed, and you can earn a diploma in as few as 10 months, making it a great option for individuals who do not want to spend four years in college.

How to Become a Dermatologist Medical Assistant?

Again, to become a medical assistant, most states do not require formal education and training requirements. So, you could hypothetically graduate from high school and begin a medical assisting career. That said, most employers require some sort of post-secondary training because employers want to hire people who have the skills, knowledge, and training required to perform the duties associated with the position. Medical Assistant Training Programs provide graduates with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on training that they need to succeed as entry-level medical assistants.

That said, career colleges such as FCC that offer medical assistant training often require a high school degree or GED for students to enroll in such programs. However, if you do not have your high school diploma and still want to enroll in a medical assistant program to earn your diploma, ask us about your available options.

Furthermore, not only do you gain the required experience by completing a medical assistant program, but completing the program increases your marketability, which is extremely important in today’s competitive job market.

The great thing about FCC’s Medical Assistant Technician Course is that it requires the performance of the externship at the end of the program, where students are placed at a local healthcare facility to obtain on-the-job training. Sometimes employers at externship sites like the students externing, that they actually hire them after they’ve earned their Medical Assistant Technician diploma.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?

Although the exact amount of time it takes to earn a Medical Assistant Technician diploma varies, individuals can complete the program and earn their diploma in as few as 10 months. The majority of individuals seeking to become medical assistants choose to enroll in and complete a medical assistant course because such programs provide students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on training they need to succeed as medical assistants. Furthermore, employers tend to prefer candidates who’ve completed such programs over ones who do not have any training or experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a medical assistant do chemical peels?

Medical assistants working at a dermatologist’s office are not permitted to perform chemical peels even if they’re under the supervision of a licensed dermatologist. However, they can provide assistance to dermatologists or physician nurses performing chemical peels.

2. Can a medical assistant do Botox?

Medical assistants are not permitted to do Botox injections. Only dermatologists and physician assistants are permitted to perform Botox injections.

3. Can a medical assistant work in a dermatologist’s office?

Yes, medical assistants can work in a dermatologist’s office. In fact, medical assistants are often the first person that patients interact with when they enter a dermatologist’s office. Medical assistants can assist dermatologists with administrative matters in the front office as well as offer back-office assistance.

4. What do medical assistants do?

Medical assistants assist doctors and medical office staff with both administrative and clinical tasks to ensure the efficient operation of medical facilities. They schedule appointments, escort patients to examination rooms, update medical records, and assist dermatologists with certain procedures.