If you are thinking about a career change that offers flexibility, decent money, the chance to make a difference in people’s lives and a short training period, then maybe a career in the Medical Assistant profession is right for you. Great hours, good benefits, and working in a clean and safe environment in a stable profession attracts thousands of students every month to schools nationwide.
Most medical assistants work in doctors offices, either large or small, and there are a wide range of different opportunities to apply skills in the field. From taking notes and organizing records to taking blood pressure and explaining treatments to patients, medical assistants have a wide range of responsibilities that can be used to keep the office running smoothly.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the medical assistant profession is expected to grow by more than 30% over the next decade. This represents one of the fastest growing professions, well above the national average, and the flexibility that a certificate in medical assisting provides will enable workers to work in a variety of capacities.
As the population gets older, more people will need regular medical care. This is in addition to the millions of additional Americans who will be integrated into the healthcare system as a result of new legislation.
All of that adds up to the need for more doctors offices, surgical suites and patient care centers that requires staffing by qualified professionals.
The training process is generally less than one year, and is offered at many vocational schools as well as community colleges. The common choices for earning a certificate is either through a vocational training program or an associate’s degree program.
The degree option provides a general education core in addition to career specific training courses, and offer students a platform to pursue further educational and career goals in the healthcare field. The certificate option is the most common route students take, and generally prepares them for certification and employment within one year.
Salaries are not as high as other positions in the healthcare industry due to the short training time and nature of the work they perform. A Medical Assistant can generally earn between 25k and 30k per year. In addition to a comfortable salary, medical assistants can enjoy generous flexibility with their careers by choosing a concentration in a diverse and growing field.
