Can a Career in Medical Assisting Lead to More Opportunities?

When considering a career path, there are a number of factors that need to be weighed. Of course, there needs to be an interest in doing the work, and financially it's important to make a good decision as well. Oftentimes the factor that may not be weighed is where that career path may be headed.

Trade schools can get you ready for certain careers, but if the next career step is still out of reach, have you really improved your employment situation for the long haul? If the goal is to get out of your current dead-end job, is it worth the investment in education just to trade it for another one?

Anytime you are considering a career change, it's imperative you look not just at what it can do for you in the short term, but in the long term as well. 

Picking the Right Field

When considering a new career, it's always important to look at where the growth is projected to be. After all, there's no sense starting down a new path if the opportunities aren't going to be there.

One field where there has been growth projected for a long time is in the medical and health services path. To that end, medical assistants have huge growth potential and the ability to specialize down the road, opening up endless doors. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that growth for medical assistants will continue at a rate of around 19 percent through the year 2029.

Following the Path That is Right for You

That demand is good news for the earnings potential of anyone considering medical assisting as a career field, but there's more good news for those that want to advance beyond. A career in medical assisting can lead to roles in healthcare management, administration, nursing, and even becoming a doctor, and those fields are going to be in demand as well. 

Healthcare managers who plan, coordinate, and direct health services are expected to see growth in their job field of as much as 32 percent over the next decade. That includes careers like:

• Physician practice manager
• Healthcare administrator
• Patient finance manager
• Health insurance manager
• Managed care representative

With this growth potential, it's a great time to advance your career and set yourself on the right path.

Necessary Education

One of the advantages of beginning a career as a medical assistant is that you can scale your education for the roles you want to pursue. There's no need to attend school for 4-6 years only to find out it wasn't exactly what you were looking for.

Medical assistants usually require two years of schooling, but many find work in the field well before their program is over. Once you find an accredited program at a school that works for you, it may be just one to two years before you find yourself getting hands-on learning experience. From there, your career choices are up to you. Some choose to continue their education while gaining valuable experience in the field and deciding where they want to go for the next step. In just two to three years total time, you can be choosing what you want to specialize in, and be ready when the opportunity arises.

If a career as a medical assistant appeals to you, your next step is an easy one. Contact our team at Athena Career Academy and learn all about the career doors our certification program can open for you.