Demand for Talented Healthcare Workers Continues to Rise

If you’re considering becoming a medical assistant, you’re on the right path. The demand for certified healthcare workers is rising at a rate much faster than anticipated. Just because you don’t have the time to commit to a four year degree doesn’t mean you can’t leverage this wave. Consider a career as a certified medical assistant. Most accredited programs prepare you for the certification exam within a year. Better yet, class schedules tend to be flexible and most schools offer the option to enroll as a full time or part time student. This is great news for anyone interested in bettering themselves while maintaining their current lifestyle and responsibilities.

Outlook is Excellent

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 29 percent by 2022. Outpatient centers alone are projected to require a 57 percent increase in the number of CMAs hired in the next ten years. The need for certified healthcare workers will only continue to rise as the Baby Boomer generation ages, the obesity crisis continues, and the need for home healthcare services surge.

Certification Provides Job Security

While certification isn’t required in some states for employment, most employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, making it crucial to select an accredited medical assistant training program. With certification comes higher employability, greater career stability, and a lot more opportunities for advancement. 

Short Training Program

One of the biggest advantages of becoming a medical assistant is the ability to enter the field quickly. Unlike other careers requiring multiple years of college, many medical assistant programs take a fraction of that time. This is a huge plus because you can potentially enroll in a training program and begin working all within a year.

Predictable Work Schedule

For many healthcare professionals, working long, irregular hours is just part of the job. This isn’t the case with certified medical assistants. CMAs work in a variety of work settings including medical clinics and physician’s offices which are open during standard business hours. If you have a family, having a predictable schedule is especially desirable. Flexible scheduling is an option for CMAs who prefer to work irregular hours. Hospital shifts, long term care facilities, and in-home care are opportunities for CMAs looking for odd shifts.

Variety of Work Settings

Medical assistants have the option to work in a variety of work settings, whether it’s hospitals, clinics, long term care facilities, home healthcare services, hospice, prisons, or schools. There’s never a shortage of options in medical assisting, making it a good fit if you like to mix things up a bit.

Opportunities for Advancement

Certified medical assistants are unique and versatile. Cross trained to perform both administrative and clinical duties, MAs are a valuable member of any healthcare team. It also gives you plenty of healthcare career options, should you decide to venture outside of medical assisting. You may decide to transition into the administrative side of medical assisting, such as medical coding and billing, or office management. Or you could capitalize on your clinical knowledge and skill set to work in a laboratory or specialize in one area of medicine. There is plenty of room for career advancement after you get certified.

What are You Waiting For?

The healthcare industry needs talented, motivated people like you who have an interest in helping others. If you’re ready to learn more about our accredited MA program, our admissions team is standing by. Contact Athena Career Academy for more information about becoming a medical assistant. This is one opportunity you can’t afford to miss.