Benefits of Becoming a Medical Assistant This Year

The healthcare industry is growing faster than any other in the United States. With unemployment on the rise, now is a great time to secure your future with a career in healthcare. Not all medical careers require several years of college and high student loan debt.  Becoming a medical assistant is a great career to consider and requires a small amount of time and money with a big reward. 

Whether the idea of working in the healthcare industry has been a long-time dream or a newly sparked interest, becoming a medical assistant (MA) is one of the fastest routes to a high-demand career in the medical field.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do? 

Medical assistants work under the direction of a supervising physician to perform necessary clinical and administrative tasks. These vital healthcare professionals are often referred to as the backbone of the medical facility as they play an essential role in keeping healthcare facilities running smoothly. Some MA duties may include updating patient records, scheduling appointments, taking patients’ vital signs, drawing blood, assisting with examinations, and sterilizing equipment. 

If you’re the type of person who loves variety in your workday, becoming a medical assistant might be the perfect career for you. MAs work on many levels of patient care, from their interactions before an appointment to assisting with direct care. A job in the medical field comes with many added benefits as well.

Job Security

The concept of job security is lost in most industries except healthcare. Job security in medical related fields is continually strengthening compared to all other fields. Working in healthcare means that your job is one of the most secure positions moving forward, and becoming a medical assistant is no exception. Employment of MAs is expected to grow by 16 percent by 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

Quick Training

One of the biggest benefits of becoming a medical assistant is the quick training, especially compared to other healthcare careers that may take several years of college. The most straightforward path is going to a medical assistant training program at a vocational school. You can complete your training in less than a year, allowing you to jumpstart your new career quickly. There are numerous benefits of attending a vocational school, including career focused training where you learn relevant skills in less time, smaller classes, flexible class options, and hands-on training.

Good Pay and Benefits 

Medical assisting is an excellent career choice for those who want to earn a good salary with minimal secondary education. The average annual wage for MAs was $37,190 in May of 2021, with the highest ten percent earning more than $48,170. In addition, medical assistants are typically offered a benefits package that can amount to as much as 30% of their salary. Benefits can include paid vacation, sick leave, health, life, and disability insurance. 

Advancement Opportunities

Medical assistants can find career advancement opportunities including clinical team leader, lead medical assistant, medical office manager, medical assistant instructor, and more. Another popular choice for future career advancement within the field of medical assisting is choosing a medical specialty, like pediatrics, cardiology, oncology, or neurology. Medical specialties may require additional knowledge or skills, but with added credentials you can expect higher pay. 

Ready to Get Started? 

The path to becoming a medical assistant starts with quality training. Athena Career Academy offers training as a Clinical Medical Assistant, and you can complete the program in less than a year. Classes start every 6 weeks with no wait list. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be on your way to a successful career! Contact Athena Career Academy to enroll.