__ Social Occupations: Medical Assistants
Provide persons, families, or vulnerable popu-
lations with the psychosocial support needed to
cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses
such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, or AIDS. Services
include advising family caregivers, providing
patient education and counseling, and making
necessary referrals for other social services. Advo-
cate for clients or patients to resolve crises. Collab-
orate with other professionals to evaluate patients’
medical or physical condition and to assess client
needs. Refer patients, clients, or families to com-
munity resources to assist in recovery from mental
or physical illnesses and to provide access to ser-
vices such as fi nancial assistance, legal aid, hous-
ing, job placement, or education. Counsel clients
and patients in individual and group sessions to
help them overcome dependencies, recover from ill-
nesses, and adjust to life. Use consultation data and
social work experience to plan and coordinate client
or patient care and rehabilitation, following through
to ensure service effi cacy. Plan discharge from care
facility to home or other care facility. Organize sup-
port groups or counsel family members to assist them
in understanding, dealing with, and supporting cli-
ents or patients. Modify treatment plans to comply
with changes in clients’ statuses. Monitor, evaluate,
and record client progress according to measurable
goals described in treatment and care plans. Identify
environmental impediments to client or patient prog-
ress through interviews and review of patient records.
Supervise and direct other workers providing services
to clients or patients. Develop or advise on social pol-
icy and assist in community development. Investi-
gate child abuse or neglect cases and take authorized
protective action when necessary. Oversee Medicaid-
and Medicare-related paperwork and recordkeeping
in hospitals. Plan and conduct programs to combat
social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve
community health and counseling services. Conduct
social research to advance knowledge in the social
work fi eld.
GOE—Interest Area/Cluster: 10. Human Ser vice.
Work Group: 10.01. Counseling and Socia l Work.
Other Jobs in " is Work Group: Child, Family,
and School Social Workers; Clinical Psychologists;
Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists;
Counseling Psychologists; Marriage and Fam-
ily # erapists; Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Social Workers; Mental Health Counselors; Proba-
tion Offi cers and Correctional Treatment Special-
ists; Rehabilitation Counselors; Residential Advisors;
Social and Human Service Assistants; Substance
Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors.
Skills: Social Perceptiveness; Systems Evaluation;
Service Orientation; Systems Analysis; Negotiation;
Speaking; Writing.
Education and Training Program: Clinical/
Medical Social Work. Related Knowledge/Courses:
# erapy and Counseling; Sociology and Anthropol-
ogy; Psychology; Philosophy and # eology; Customer
and Personal Service; Medicine and Dentistry.
Work Env ironment : Indoors; noisy; disease or infec-
tions; sitting.Medical Assistants
! Personality Code: SCR
! Education/Training Required: Moderate-
term on-the-job training
! Annual Earnings: $27,430
! Beginning Wage: $19,850
! Earnings Growth Potential: Low
! Growth: 35.4%
! Annual Job Openings: 92,977
! Self-Employed: 0.0%
! Part-Time: 23.2%Perform administrative and certain clinical duties
under the direction of physicians. Administra-
tive duties may include scheduling appointments,
maintaining medical records, billing, and cod-
ing for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may
include taking and recording vital signs and med-
ical histories, preparing patients for examination,
drawing blood, and administering medications
as directed by physician. Record patients’ medical
history, vital statistics, and information such as test
results in medical records. Prepare treatment roomsSocial–
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