Things You May Not Know About a Career in Medical Assisting

Looking for a hands-on career in healthcare? If so, becoming a medical assistant could be the right career path for you. Medical assistants (MAs) are a vital part of the healthcare team as facilities struggle to keep up with the needs of increased patient demand. Medical assisting could be an excellent option for someone looking to work with patients and begin a career in healthcare quickly.

Medical Assistants are in High Demand 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states employment of medical assistants is projected to grow by 18 percent from 2020 to 2030, at a rate much faster than the average for all occupations. With approximately 104,400 openings for MAs projected each year on average, becoming a medical assistant is an excellent choice for people seeking a stable career field. 

Flexible Short Training Program

Another great aspect of becoming a medical assistant is the  relatively short training period compared to other healthcare careers. You can become a medical assistant quickly, with some programs designed to be completed in one year or less. Many programs offer flexible class schedules with day and evening options to accommodate your work and family life. 

Play a Key Role in Patient Care 

One of the primary duties of a medical assistant is to interact with patients and put them at ease. This may include translating complex medical terminology into terms that the patient can easily understand. Medical assistants are often the first and last point of contact a patient will interact with, so maintaining a calm, positive demeanor is critical to ensuring quality patient care. 

Great Advancement Opportunities

Medical assisting offers plenty of great advancement opportunities, especially now with the healthcare worker shortage. Many MAs advance their careers by furthering their education through earning additional credentials, gaining experience, or going back to school to earn a degree or certificate. 

Some advancement opportunities medical assistants can pursue include: 

• Healthcare management 
• Phlebotomy 
• Medical billing and coding 
• Surgical Technologist 
• Licensed Practical Nurse 
• Registered Nurse 

These are just a few examples as there are other career paths available to MAs, including specializing in a focused area of healthcare, also referred to as a medical specialty. Examples of medical specialties include podiatry, pediatrics, cardiology, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, and neurology. Medical assisting is a versatile career with nearly endless possibilities to explore. 

Certification and Education is Important

Certification is an important part of becoming a medical assistant. While your state may not require certification, it can give you a competitive edge over other candidates. Certification also demonstrates to a potential employer you are committed and dedicated to the field of medical assisting. 

When choosing an MA program, the most important criteria to decipher is whether the program is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These certifying bodies not only demand that schools adhere to strict educational standards (so you can feel confident you’re receiving a quality education and training) but if you attend a program that’s not accredited, you won’t be able to take the exam to become a certified medical assistant. 

Graduates of Athena Career Academy’s medical assisting program are prepared and eligible to sit for these exams. We offer an accredited medical assistant program to get you started on a career in healthcare sooner than you ever dreamed possible. Contact us today to learn more about how to enroll and to schedule a campus tour.