A Career in Healthcare is Very Rewarding

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing economy, it’s important to have a stable career you can rely on for financial security. For some, it can be difficult to decide what to study and where to focus your efforts. If you’re interested in helping people and making a difference, working in healthcare is one of the most noble and rewarding career choices available. It’s also a very stable career path.

Training is Short and Inexpensive 

You know you need a college education but you’re also anxious to launch your career as soon as possible. While some healthcare professions take several years of higher education, becoming a medical assistant is considerably shorter. Some programs are designed to be completed in one year or less. Medical assisting is ideal for those looking to jumpstart their career quickly without having a ton of student debt to pay off. 

Guaranteed Job Security 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in healthcare occupations is projected to increase 16% from 2020 to 2030. As a healthcare professional, this means you’ll have more career opportunities available to you than job seekers in other industries. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 18 percent from 2020 to 2030. Approximately 104,400 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. 

Competitive Pay and Benefits 

Due to the high demand for qualified workers, careers in the healthcare industry are among the most lucrative job options available. Medical assistants earn great pay and benefits, starting well above minimum wage. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the median annual pay in 2021 was $37,190. In most cases, certified medical assistants, or those who received certification through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), receive a premium pay rate. 

Variety of Work Settings 

Some healthcare jobs may be limited to hospitals, but that’s not the case for MAs. Medical assistants have a variety of work settings to choose from including ambulatory care centers, private and public hospitals, assisted living facilities, urgent care clinics, inpatient and outpatient units, as well as specialty practices, administrative, and clinical settings. 

Dependable Work Schedule 

A common complaint among many healthcare professionals is having to work long, irregular hours. One of the many benefits of becoming a medical assistant is having a dependable and predictable work schedule. Most MAs work in private practice medical offices, which tend to operate during standard business hours. Having a dependable work schedule allows MAs to have a healthy work/life balance. If you prefer working variable hours on different shifts, working in a hospital or long-term care facility are good options. 

Personal Fulfillment and Career Satisfaction 

A medical assisting career can be incredibly rewarding on a personal level. Working in the healthcare industry gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping people and making a difference. If you become a medical assistant, you’ll join a special community of professionals who share a sense of camaraderie and commitment to quality patient care. 

How to Become a Medical Assistant

It’s easy to see that there’s a lot to like about working in healthcare. If you’re wondering how to become a medical assistant, the first step is to enroll in a quality training program, like the one offered at Athena Career Academy. Our accredited medical assisting program is designed to teach students the necessary skills for employment in a modern medical facility. Contact us today to learn more about our training programs or to schedule a campus tour.