Medical assisting is one of those fields that gives you a different day, every day. It’s hard to get bored or feel like you’re repeating the same task endlessly: You take care of so many different tasks on any given shift, from providing patient care to administrative duties. And variety is just one of the many plusses of being a medical assistant. Here are seven benefits of the job—is it the career for you?
Seven Reasons Why Medical Assisting Is A Great Choice
You’re a jack of all trades
You will have a ton of different daily responsibilities. What you do specifically depends on the type of office you work in. From filling out charts and discussing patients’ medical records to drawing blood—and everything in between—you will be constantly adapting and learning new aspects of the healthcare field.
You’re the right-hand man
Doctors may be considered superheroes, but without you, the trusted sidekick, half their power is gone. You ask the questions at the beginning of the visit, finding out symptoms and concerns. You’ll take vitals, fill out the records, and prep the exam rooms and patients to see the doctor. You inform the doctor of what’s going on with the patient, and the doctor relies on you to help with procedures and explain follow-up instructions.
Your field is growing at light speed
Did you know that medical assisting is one of the fastest growing careers? It is! According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical assistants will grow 14 percent between now and 2032, which is significantly faster than the national average for all occupations. What does that mean for you? You will be greatly needed to help fill the positions opening up. The job market will be in the palm of your hand.
Specializing is your superpower
Because you touch virtually every aspect of the medical field, you can pursue the areas you’re passionate about. If working directly with the patients is what you love, you can specialize in patient care. Maybe keeping the medical records is more along the lines of what interests you—go after that dream. Within every part of the medical assistant career, there is a way to specialize!
Your motto is “All for one, and one for all”
You and the doctor are considered equal employees in a practice. You are both healthcare professionals with the mission of taking care of patients. It’s a satisfying career, not one centered on who gets the glory. Everyone works to see patients become healthy and happy.
The medical field is your oyster
One of the many nice things about a medical assistant career is that the program prepares you for the job, but that job can be anywhere! Medical assistants can work in hospitals, private practices, clinics, or any other healthcare facility. In addition to having a bunch of options for the setting, you are needed in any state. Live where you want; jobs will be there.
In 365 days or fewer, you can be a medical assistant
Believe it or not, medical assistant training courses can take less than a year if you attend full time. For others, depending on their schedule, it could take longer. You’ll take courses on subjects such as hospital admissions, records, lab services, phlebotomy, EKG machines, and more. You only need a high school diploma or GED to become a medical assistant, but it’s wise to get your certification. Certification qualifies you, allowing doors to open wider in the healthcare industry—including more job opportunities, greater responsibilities at work, and better pay.
Make This About You
If you’re ready to make these facts about you, then your first step to becoming a medical assistant is finding your school. In one to two years, you’ll be helping doctors and patients in a great career.
