5 Reasons To Consider A Career As A Medical Assistant
Medical assistants play a vital role in every health care team. Medical assistants perform an array of administrative and clinical duties to keep medical offices running smoothly. They work alongside doctors and nurses recording patient histories and vital signs, draw blood, handle specimens, perform diagnostic tests, instruct patients about medications, call in prescriptions to a pharmacy, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms (EKGs), remove sutures, change dressings and they may assist the physician during an examination. They may also schedule appointments, file medical records, and fill out insurance forms.
If you enjoy helping people and you are searching for a career in the healthcare field that provides personal fulfillment and doesn’t require years of schooling, then you may want to consider training as a medical assistant. Today, we are going over the top 5 reasons you should consider a job as a medical assistant.
You Can Help Others
Becoming a medical assistant means you get to work helping people in need. Medical assistants can make a big difference to a patient’s overall experience in the hospital or doctor’s office. If you are the type of person who gets personal satisfaction from helping someone in need, being a medical assistant and contributing to a patient’s well-being may be the rewarding career you are looking for.
Positive Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical assistants to grow 23% from 2014 to 2024. This growth is much faster than the average for all occupations. Nearly 140,000 new medical assistants will be needed to fill up the new positions expected to appear by 2024. As the population ages and demand increases for preventative services, physicians will need to hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties.
Tons of Career Options
As a medical assistant, you can work in numerous settings including medical offices, medical billing/coding departments, hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, and laboratories. Working as a medical assistant also allows you to experience the different aspects of healthcare and “experiment” to find out where you want to take your career. You may find that you enjoy patient care or maybe you prefer the administrative aspects of the job. If you decide to advance your career, you will have a good idea if you would like to pursue a specific path like nursing, MA training, medical office management, etc.
Work Environment
Medical Assistants work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, outpatient centers, physicians’ offices, schools, urgent care centers, colleges, home health agencies, medical supply businesses, nursing homes, and more! Because of this, you have the flexibility of choosing to apply for jobs in the setting you prefer; like a fast-paced ER or surgical ward or a quieter space like a private physician’s office.
Jump Right In
As a medical assistant, you can enter the workforce shortly after high school! Other medical careers can take years of college! However, a medical assistant diploma can be obtained in as few as 12 months.
Are you interested in becoming a medical assistant? Check out our medical assistant program page to learn how to get started!