What is Urology Assisting?
Urology assisting involves supporting urologists, physicians who specialize in the health of the bladder, kidneys and genitalia of both men and women. Urology assisting is performed by people with differing educational levels.
A Urology Medical Assistant is a technician who helps with clinical responsibilities such as taking a patient’s medical history, maintaining records and analyzing urine samples. A Urology Physician’s Assistant works under the supervision of the physician to diagnose and treat patients.
Urology assisting also covers office tasks such as taking calls and scheduling appointments. The assistant often completes insurance forms with appropriate coding to ensure proper billing procedures. They may order office supplies and items for the examination rooms when necessary.
A urology assistant, as the name implies, helps urologists in their daily duties of assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients. If you have a natural desire to help others and would like the join the healthcare industry, you might want to consider a career as a urology assistant.
What Does a Urology Assistant Do?
A urology assistant may perform tests including urinalysis, ultrasound, blood tests and x-rays. They can prepare a treatment plan, according to the guidance given by the attending urologist, and educate patients about its implementation, and provide instruction about medication and diet.
When creating a plan and putting it into effect, assistants must educate patients about the treatment, address any questions or concerns the patient has, and acknowledge any risks and alternatives to the treatment so that the patient is fully informed. If the patient has a disease or condition which is chronic and/or multifaceted, the urology assistant may recommend that the patient see a specialist with a broader view of the problem.
Other assistant duties include scheduling appointments, maintaining and updating patient records, and performing multiple kinds of tests such as blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, and urinalysis tests.
In addition to possessing an accurate, working knowledge of different organs, disease complications, and pathology, urology assistants must also be familiar with gynecology, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
What is the Job Outlook for Urology Assistants?
As healthcare reform takes shape and more people are able to afford routine and diagnostic medical care, this field is expected to grow over the next several years. This is especially true in both rural areas and inner city urban spaces, which need additional medical professionals.
Urology technicians and assistants usually work in hospitals, laboratories, clinics, and outpatient healthcare centers.
What is the Salary of a Urology Assistant?
As of December 2022, according to Glassdoor, n the United States, the average national salary for a medical urology assistant is around $51,383.
What Education is Required to Become a Urology Assistant?
The term urology assistant can mean two very different jobs. A Urology Medical Assistant is a type of technician, who assists a urologist in clinical tasks, such as analyzing urine samples, taking patient histories, and maintaining patient records. A Urology Physician’s Assistant is a clinical provider who works more independently, but under the supervision of a urologist. They perform most of the tasks a urologist can do.
Though there is no specific degree program required to work as a Urology Medical Assistant, in order to have the most career opportunities, it’s important for students to be as prepared as possible for employment in this field.
Typically, preparation for a career like this begins with the completion of a vocational program or an associate’s degree program. Areas of study might include biology, anatomy and physiology, and other science courses. These programs are often enough training to get an entry-level position as a urology assistant, but further studies are required to gain certification.
A license or certification may be required, depending on the jurisdiction you are working in. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, be sure to contact your state health board to learn exactly what type of licensure or certification is required of you.
If you wish to work in a diagnostic capacity, you may need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science and surgical and medical technology. This degree program also usually includes an internship so that students gain practical, real world experience in urology technology.
A Urology Physician’s Assistant on the other hand generally requires a master’s degree. Admission to a masters’ PA program normally requires a bachelor’s degree, with coursework in biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and some other experience and credentials in the medical profession, such as EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) or LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). The required number of hours in a medical profession varies between programs, with 3600 hours as the general expectation.
The completion time can be six years. The PA program will prepare the student to perform diagnostic and treatment procedures, and write prescriptions. Graduate coursework includes biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, clinical laboratory science, medical ethics, and a 2,000 hour clinical internship.
Upon successful completion of the graduate program, one is eligible to sit for the PANCE (Physician’s Assistant National Certification Exam). Once the exam is passed, and the national certification is obtained, a license is needed for the state in which one intends to practice.
Certification must then be maintained through 100 hours of CME (Continuing Medical Education) every two years, and the PANRE (Physician’s Assistant National Recertifying Exam) must be retaken every 10 years.
What are the Requirements to Become a Certified Urology Assistant?
The process of acquiring certification as a urology assistant revolves around preparing for a certification examination. Studying for the exam can be done on one’s own, especially if students have prior experience in the field or have completed a vocational or associate’s degree program. Certification exam consists of 170 questions testing:
- General Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Knowledge
- General Clinical Knowledge
- Urology Specific Knowledge
To sit in a certification exam one must fulfill one of the following requirements:
- Completing a Medical Assistant program accredited by the Commission of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) followed by one year of on the job experience
- Completion of a U.S. Military medical program followed by two years active duty as a Medic, Corpsman, or similar
- Over 3 years of experience in the urology field
By successfully passing the certification examination, students will receive a Urology Medical Assistant Certification, which demonstrates that students have an understanding of the requisite knowledge and skills to work in this highly specialized area.
With that kind of credential, students are likely to have a much better chance of finding employment, as physicians, clinics, and hospitals want workers with demonstrable skills and the education that’s required to be an effective urology medical assistant.
What Skills are Required for a Urology Assistant?
Listed below are a list of clinical and medical skills that are imperative for a successful career as a urology assistant:
- Scheduling Patient Appointments
- Handling Incoming Calls
- Filling Insurance Papers
- Coding Patient Reports
- Maintaining and Reordering Office and Exam Room Supplies
- Receiving Incoming Packages
- Organizing Items
- Working Directly with Patients
- Escorting Patients to Exam Rooms
- Taking Patient Vital Signs (i.e. Weight and Blood Pressure)
- Collecting Urine Samples for Testing
- Educating Patient (i.e. Diet Instructions)
- Prepping Patients for X-Rays and/or Lab Tests
- Removing Stitches and Changing Bandages, When Necessary
Personal Skills:
- Detail-Oriented
- Ability to Work Productively with Others
- Good Communication
- Effective Problem-Solving Skills
- Efficient Computer Skills
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