Becoming a Medical Assistant Doesn’t Take Long

If you have a desire to help people and are interested in a career in the healthcare field, becoming a medical assistant is a great choice. Not only is medical assistant training one of the fastest programs you can enroll in, but this rewarding career really packs in a punch, as it also provides several amazing benefits that you won’t find elsewhere.

Spend Less Time in School

Unlike other careers that require many years of continuing education, many medical assisting programs are designed to be completed in just one year or less. 

Take Athena Career Academy for example. Their CMA program is approximately 800 hours of study and is taught over a period of approximately 7.5 months, with an additional 6-week externship. Their CMA program also includes 640 hours of classroom and lab participation, along with an externship experience of 160 hours, where students are able to practice learned skills in a real-life working environment, while also closely interacting with physicians and other members of a healthcare team. 

Strong Starting Wage 

While it may seem impossible to earn more than minimum wage without a bachelor’s degree, or many years of experience, you can start earning a solid starting wage after becoming a medical assistant, and with a lot less student debt than other careers too! 

Excellent Job Outlook 

If you’re worried about entering a field with a high turnover rate that can leave you jobless, you don’t have to worry nearly as much when it comes to medical assisting. The job security for medical assisting is excellent, with very low unemployment. 

The demand for medical assistants is also growing at an incredible rate as well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, MA’s have one of the highest growth rates of any occupation, at a rate of 19% from 2019 to 2029. As the baby-boomer population ages, the demand for preventive medical services will continue to increase. Since these services are usually provided by physicians, they will need to hire more medical assistants to perform the routine clinical and administrative duties needed in order for physicians to see more patients. For those individuals interested in becoming a medical assistant, this means job security for many years to come. 

Enjoy a Family Friendly Schedule 

One of the many benefits of becoming a medical assistant is having a more predictable schedule, which isn’t typical for most healthcare professionals who usually work long, irregular hours. Medical assistants often work in medical clinics that are open during standard business hours, which is ideal for those with families, or for those who like having a set schedule that doesn’t change often. 

Plenty of Opportunities for Advancement 

Medical assistants have an incredible career potential within the field of medical assisting. They can choose to specialize in almost any area of medicine, but there is also a promising opportunity for career advancement beyond medical assisting. 

Make a Difference 

One of the best parts of becoming a medical assistant is the ability to make a positive impact on the lives of others. You get to be there for your patients in their time of need, giving you a renewed sense of purpose. 

When Can I Start? 

Medical assisting is an ideal fit for those wanting to jumpstart their new career quickly. If this career sounds perfect to you, but you’re just left wondering when and how you can get started, contact Athena Career Academy for assistance. New classes start approximately every 6 weeks, so the sooner you call, the sooner you’ll be on your way to an exciting career full of benefits and opportunities.