Medical assisting is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. With North America’s Baby Boomers now entering retirement age and pressure coming from all sides to lower health care costs, more and more hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, hospices and other health care facilities are calling upon medical assistants to perform the day-to-day tasks formerly done by nurses as well as secretaries and office managers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that more than 417,000 professional medical assistants currently work full-time. The field is expected to grow far faster than the national average, and those just entering the field should enjoy excellent job prospects.
So why is medical assisting such a popular career choice? Why be a medical assistant?
Here are some key reasons for choosing this career path:
• Working Conditions. Medical assistants tend to work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities. These tend to be very clean, well-lit and orderly. Most offices maintain conventional 40-hour work weeks, although some evening and/or weekend work may occasionally be required.
• A Range of Responsibilities. Most medical assistants are first and foremost responsible for running day-to-day office operations. Activities can include preparing, maintaining and filing patient records, dealing with insurance forms, talking with insurance companies and suppliers, making appointments and greeting patients upon arrival. Other responsibilities may include prepping patients for their appointments, including taking vital signs (weight, blood pressure, temperature, etc.) and getting patient histories. In some states, regulations allow medical assistants to perform even more advanced “hands-on” duties, such drawing blood, preparing X-rays, removing sutures and changing dressings.
• Qualifications. Although most states do not license or otherwise regulate medical assistants, most employers prefer candidates with formal training and certification. Most medical assisting education programs can be completed in less than a year.
• Income Potential. According to the BLS’ most recent data (May 2008), the median annual income for medical assistants nationwide is approximately $26,300, with half making more than that and half making less. Nationally, the middle 50% earned between $21,970 and $31,210. The lowest 10% earned less than $18,860 while the highest 10 percent earned more than $36,840. Note that income potential varies significantly from state to state and from city to city depending on local economic and employment conditions, as well as your years of experience and the type of facility where you choose to practice. For more information, please consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics and your local state labor department Web site.
• Job Prospects. Again, according to the BLS, employment opportunities for medical assistants are expected to be far better than average. On a national level, employment for medical assistants is expected to have increased 35 percent between 2006 and 2016, according to the BLS. Projected statewide 2006-2016 growth projections in the medical assisting field currently ranges from a low of 18% in Oklahoma to a high of 54% in Texas. (Occupational growth rates are projections only, and will vary from community to community.)
• “It’s a ‘People’ Job.” As a professional medical assistant, you will not be stuck in a drab office cubicle but will be working regularly in a variety of environments (reception area, office, examination room, laboratory) with doctors, nurses and patients. A lot of interpersonal activity is inevitable, so it definitely helps if you are a “people person.”
Professional Medical Assisting Training Courses Offered at Everest College
Everest College is one of America’s leading providers of professional medical assisting training.
Because Everest has dozens of urban campuses conveniently located throughout the United States, men and women interested in pursuing this exciting and rewarding career can likely find a campus conveniently close to their home or work. Everest medical assisting career training courses can be completed in less than a year, and graduates are supported by Everest’s Career Placement Team to help them get the kind of job they want, where they want it. All Everest campuses provide financial aid services for those who qualify.
People interested in medical assisting training should contact Everest today for information on class schedules.
