Arbeitsmedizinischer Assistent/Arbeitsmedizinische Assistentin

This further training (Weiterbildung) takes place at various educational institutions. Learning locations are typically training rooms.

Profession Type: This is a further training (Weiterbildung) profession. Type of Further Training: Further training according to the internal regulations of the educational institutions. Duration of Further Training: Varies depending on the educational offer and learning format. Tasks and Activities: Occupational medical assistants organize first aid in companies and inform employees about hazard sources, accident prevention, and initial measures in emergencies. They provide initial care in emergencies and, if necessary, organize patient transport. They also prepare occupational medical consultations and examinations, and support occupational physicians (Betriebsärzte) with tasks such as blood draws, diagnosis, or the treatment of occupational diseases. Furthermore, they assist with the (re-)integration of people with disabilities into the company and with the ergonomic planning and design of workplaces. Occupational medical assistants also provide support in occupational medical counseling.

Varies depending on the educational offer and learning format.

Hour Distribution (Example): Theoretical and Practical Instruction: Communication and Interviewing Skills: 8 hours. Perception and Motivation: 8 hours. Occupational Medicine in the Social Security System: 8 hours. Hazard Assessment, Occupational Medical Screenings, and Further Examinations: 36 hours. Health Prevention and Management in the Workplace: 24 hours. Administration and Coordination: 8 hours. Total Theoretical and Practical Instruction: 92 hours. Practical Exercises: Diagnostic Procedures in the Field of Eyes: 12 hours. Diagnostic Procedures in the Field of Ears: 12 hours. Diagnostic Procedures in the Field of Cardiovascular System: 12 hours. Diagnostic Procedures in the Field of Lungs: 12 hours. Total Practical Exercises: 48 hours. Total Hours: 140 hours.

Course fees are generally incurred for attending further training (Weiterbildung) courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Additional costs may arise, for example, for work materials, travel to the training location, or external accommodation. Funding Opportunities: There is a further training scholarship (Weiterbildungsstipendium) for particularly gifted young professionals, provided by the Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB).

The further training content includes organization, qualification, occupational hygiene/toxicology, hazardous working materials, rehabilitation, and occupational reintegration. Topics covered include an introduction to the subject, for example, the organization of occupational medical services and the legal status of the occupational physician (Betriebsarzt); workplace stressors and their assessment, for example, biological hazards/infectious diseases; hazardous substances, injuries, and their first aid, for example, irritant and suffocating gases; rehabilitation from an occupational medical perspective, for example, medical rehabilitation procedures; occupational diseases, quality management, care for individuals with reduced performance; occupational diseases, for example, legal bases, strategies for combating them; possibilities and limitations of occupational medical activities, for example, reducing sick leave, dispensing medication; physiology and pathophysiology, for example, compensation mechanisms for work-related illnesses; Total Quality Management, for example, occupational epidemiology; legal regulations for occupational health and safety, and operational aspects.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing the further training (Weiterbildung) examination: Medicine: For example, to quickly recognize health concerns. Physiology: For example, to assess physical changes from an occupational medical perspective. Psychology: For example, to evaluate working conditions also from a psychological perspective.

This further training (Weiterbildung) consists of theoretical and practical instruction. Depending on the educational provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: Class Times: Typically, further training is pursued alongside work, on weekends or in the evenings, or as block instruction. Learning Format: Generally, it involves in-person events: classroom instruction at the educational institution (which may not be in one's place of residence).

Participation in further training (Weiterbildung) is not remunerated.

The following further training (Weiterbildung) alternatives are available for the occupational medical assistant profession: Medical Field: Certified Professional Specialist for Outpatient Medical Care (Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für ambulante medizinische Versorgung) or Socio-Medical Assistant (Sozialmedizinischer Assistent). Commonality: Taking on organizational and administrative tasks. Psychology Field: Psychological-Technical Assistant (Psychologisch-technischer Assistent). Commonality: Performing tasks in practice organization and administration.

Depending on the educational program, titles such as Occupational Health Assistant (Arbeitsmedizinischer Assistent/Arbeitsmedizinische Assistentin) or Occupational Health Assistant – VAF e.V. may be obtained.

Occupational Health Assistant (Arbeitsmedizinischer Assistent/Arbeitsmedizinische Assistentin) is a vocational continuing education (Weiterbildung). It is regulated by the internal provisions of the educational institutions. The courses, which vary in duration, usually take place part-time.

Finding Suitable Employment: After their continuing education (Weiterbildung), Occupational Health Assistants can work, for example, in occupational health services, occupational medical centers, or in industrial medical services within public administrations. Securing Employability: Through adaptive continuing education (Anpassungsweiterbildung), one can keep their specialized knowledge current, up-to-date, and expand it. The range of topics extends from medical assistance to medical documentation. Career Advancement: Promotional continuing education (Aufstiegsweiterbildung) helps to advance professionally and achieve leadership positions. A logical step is to pass the examination as a Specialist in Health and Social Services (Fachwirt/in im Gesundheits- und Sozialwesen). With a university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung), one can also pursue higher education (Studium) and, for example, obtain a Bachelor's degree in Health Science, Public Health. Becoming Self-Employed: The step into self-employment is also possible, for example, with an outpatient service.

A vocational training (Berufsausbildung) in a medical assistant profession and relevant professional experience are generally prerequisites for admission to the continuing education (Weiterbildung).