Careers Medical Assistants Can Easily Transition Into

One of the many benefits of a medical assisting (MA) career is the relatively short training period. Many medical assisting training programs are designed to be completed in one year or less, which is ideal for those looking to enter the medical field quickly. Medical assisting can also introduce you to a wide range of diverse medical duties and advancement opportunities. While many choose to become a medical assistant as a lifelong career, others decide to transition into other healthcare related career paths.

Medical assistants are becoming an increasingly essential part of the healthcare team, as hospitals and healthcare facilities strive to meet the needs of a growing patient population. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates employment for MAs will grow as much as 16% through 2031, much faster than average. The benefits of having an in-demand career are having excellent job security, more career choices, and higher pay. 

You can utilize your experience as an MA to advance your career to the next level. With experience, medical assistants can specialize and move into leadership roles, filling other vital healthcare workforce needs. Medical assistants may also be able to utilize their experience to transition into other similar allied healthcare careers. 

If you want to become a medical assistant and are wondering what your options are, here are some similar healthcare careers MAs can easily transition into: 

Phlebotomy Technician 

Many medical assistants receive basic phlebotomy as part of their medical assisting training. Some MAs enjoy the lab aspect of their job so much that they decide to switch from medical assistant to full-time phlebotomy technician. A career as a phlebotomy technician is expected to grow by 23% from 2018 to 2028 with the demand for qualified phlebotomists remaining high. 

A phlebotomy technician is a medical professional who draws blood samples for lab testing and blood donation. They work in hospitals, laboratories, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare facilities. Other tasks they perform may include: 

• Maintaining patient records.
• Monitoring blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and oxygen levels. 
• Sterilizing equipment. 
• Collecting blood, urine, and fecal samples and sending them to laboratories for testing. 

Veterinary Assistant 

Veterinary assistants work with animals and are tasked with assisting veterinarians and technicians. They have a wide range of duties from taking care of the animals and restraining them during medical procedures, to performing laboratory work and collecting samples. Other tasks they generally perform include:

• Feeding the animals and checking to see how much they ate. 
• Sterilizing examination rooms, cages, and operating rooms. 
• Administering medication to animals as needed. 
• Maintaining patient records. 

Medical assistant and veterinary assistant jobs are similar, with the one major difference between the species of their patients. Due to the many similarities, medical assistants already possess many of the skills required to become a veterinary assistant.

Medical Office Assistant 

A medical office assistant performs daily administrative tasks to keep a healthcare facility running smoothly. This position is like that of a medical assistant, but focuses primarily on administrative duties, rather than patient care. The decision to become an administrative medical assistant is an easy transition for most, as many MAs are trained in both clinical and administrative duties during their training. Some of the duties commonly performed as a medical office assistant include: 

• Answering phone calls and scheduling patient appointments. 
• Creating and managing schedules. 
• Medical billing and coding. 
• Light bookkeeping. 

Find Your Path 

Only you can decide which medical assistant career path is right for you. With a little determination you’ll figure out a path that is the perfect fit. Contact Athena Career Academy to get started today. You can speak with our admissions office with questions about how to enroll, and go on a campus tour to take a look around.