5 Reasons Why Medical Assisting is a Career Opportunity Worth Considering
If you’re looking for a rewarding and stable career, then Medical Assisting might be for you. It’s one of the fastest growing occupations right now. You might be wondering what sort of work you would be doing as a Medical Assistant. Let’s have a look:
Tasks of a Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants work in many areas of healthcare, from hospitals to clinics to physician’s offices. They also work in many specialty practices such as pediatrics, oncology, cardiology, etc. As a Medical Assistant, your tasks may include:
- Maintain patient histories and other records
- Schedule appointments and communicate with physicians
- Operate laboratory equipment
- Assist or instruct patients with medication, preparation for X-rays or drawing blood, changing dressings, preparing for other procedures
- Monitor and record patients’ vital signs
What else does this career have to offer? Let’s look at a few facts:
Fast growing industry
The medical field in general is growing. As a large portion of the U.S. population ages, more trained medical professionals, from physicians to technicians, will be needed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that the field of Medical Assisting would grow 23% in the period from 2014 to 2024. Both administrative and clinical tasks are vital to the functioning of a physician’s office or other healthcare facility, and trained Medical Assistants will continue to be needed to fill these roles.
Good pay
Most Medical Assistants work full time. The average pay is about $30,000 a year, but can often be more than that, depending on location or area of focus. With many industries offering part-time jobs, the high probability of securing full-time employment in Medical Assisting can be appealing and fulfilling.
Working with healthcare professionals
Whether you are working in a large hospital or a small physician’s office, as a Medical Assistant you will be working with other medical professionals of all skill levels and areas of expertise. If you enjoy a professional, hard-working environment surrounded by like-minded people, this career could be for you.
Helping people
A career in the medical field is all about helping people. Even with the ever-increasing advances in technology, medicine is still about hands-on and caring for others, and Medical Assistants are an important part of this. Surgeons, physicians, technicians, and Medical Assistants all play a part in making patients feel comfortable and cared for. A Medical Assisting career can offer professionalism, good pay, and opportunity, while still allowing you to connect with people on a personal level.
Certification in one year or less
Instead of spending four or more years earning a degree, a certificate or diploma in Medical Assisting often takes a year or less. After completing the training program, this puts you out into the workforce quickly so that you can start your career. The Medical Assisting Program here at Central Coast College usually takes about one year.
If you’re thinking about going to school for a certificate or degree, then these five reasons might make a career as a Medical Assistant worth considering. To get more information or to get started with a career in Medical Assisting with Central Coast College, give us a call at (831) 424-6767.
You can view more statistics about the Medical Assisting field on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
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