Medical assistant jobs are projected to increase far above the average rate over the next ten years. As more and more people are integrated into the health care system, high demand for qualified and skilled professionals to staff and support doctors offices and healthcare facilities is expected to continue. This is one of the fastest growing areas of the health care field, and it offers a vast array of different career options medical assistants to choose from.
By and large, the bulk of the work of medical assisting occurs in doctors offices and patient care facilities, large and small. Jobs vary from office to office, and training provides a broad based preparation that enables graduates to function in various capacities.
For medical assistants who work in a small office, they can be found doing anything from answering phones and scheduling appointments, to filling out charts and explaining treatment options to patients. They can also be seen taking blood pressure, temperature and weight in addition to setting up EKGs and ordering supplies. Their workload may vary from day to day, and requires a lot of quick thinking and ability to multi-task.
Many larger physician groups and associations are more specific and organized in terms of their job descriptions. Medical assistants are usually hired to concentrate on a particular area, depending on their experience and the needs of the doctors. However, they will often do other tasks as well in order to help the office run efficiently while patients are well cared for.
Someone considering entering this field should be good with people and able to work in conditions that involve a lot of interaction. Being a team player is fundamental to success in this field, and medical assistants will encounter many different personalities and temperaments throughout the average workday.
While a medical assistant is seen as a supportive role in doctors offices, they are essential to their operation and success. As more and more people enter the health care system, there will be a marked increase in the need for qualified employees, and because of this, medical assistant jobs are plentiful and in demand now and will be in the future.
Getting licensed takes about a year or less on average, and starting salaries average in the in the high 20k range, depending on location and experience. For someone looking for a stable and growing field to develop a career in, medical assistant jobs are some of the most flexible and plentiful.
