Tag: medical assistants

Want to Work in Healthcare? Medical Assistants Are Always Needed

Want to Work in Healthcare? Medical Assistants Are Always Needed

Working in healthcare is a rewarding career choice. There are many different options for you to choose from, including medical assistants. Medical assistants help doctors and nurses with administrative tasks, so they are able to spend more time with their patients. They also have the opportunity to learn about new treatments and procedures that could be beneficial to them or someone they know in the future. However, if you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant, it’s important to remember these four tips.

Get Your Degree
Medical assistants usually need to have an associate degree or certification for employers to hire them. There are several different types of degrees you can get, including one that focuses on medical billing and coding, which is very helpful if you want to work in healthcare but don’t necessarily like the idea of working with patients directly.
There are many medical assistant programs that you can get a certification through, all of which will allow you to further your career more quickly than if you were on your own. This will help those who are just starting out gain more experience in their field and have better job opportunities available to them down the road.

Be Willing to Take on Responsibilities
Some medical assistants begin their careers as receptionists or office managers until they have enough experience with patients. Others take a fast track and get a degree in the field. Either way will help them build confidence and learn more about how a medical office or hospital clinic works before they spend time working directly with patients who need care. There’s no shame in starting out slowly, especially if it means you will be able to work your way up in the long term.
It’s also important for medical assistants to stay up to date on new technologies and healthcare laws so that they can provide patients with quality care where they are able. Medical assistants who keep their skills fresh are more likely to get promoted than those who don’t show any interest in learning about the field.

Find the Right Work Environment
Some medical assistants prefer to work in a hospital, while others would rather spend their days working for a private clinic. It’s important that you find an environment where you feel comfortable and enjoy spending your day. The right environment could influence how much free time you have outside of work and who they will meet, and the types of people they work with.
Medical assistants are sought after across the country. With a degree and a little looking it will be very easy to find work to be able to cover your bills, but more importantly, be able to help people across the nation, and get your foot in the door in a great career field.

Article by Rachelle Wilber

Bio: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

3 Settings to Consider Working in as a Medical Assistant

The number of Medical Assistants is expected to increase 29% percent through 2026, but there’s more to medical assisting than working in a doctor’s office.

Medical Assistants support a wide range of essential functions in healthcare, performing an array of administrative and clinical tasks in a variety of settings, and the need for Medical Assistants is only growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the number of Medical Assistants is expected to increase 29% percent through 2026, making it a booming field that is growing more rapidly than the 11% growth expected for all occupations.

As a career that is relatively quick to get into, with a certification taking just 10 months to obtain, and one that has an average annual salary of more than $32,000, it is a solid career choice that cements you in the fabric of the ever-growing healthcare industry. It also affords an array of employment options, meaning that as a Medical Assistant, you can work in a variety of settings—not just in a doctor’s office, though that is where an estimated 62% of Medical Assistants are employed.

Here are a few different settings to consider, if you are interested in diversifying.

Hospitals

If you’re looking for a fast-paced environment and don’t necessarily want to be tied to a 9-to-5, working in a hospital may be a good fit for you. Given their 24/7 business hours and the diversity of cases (you will likely see everything from life-threatening trauma to routine procedures), this could be the job to keep you on your toes—morning, noon, nights, and weekends. There are also more than 5,500 hospitals in the United States, making it pretty likely there’s one hiring nearby.

Laboratories

If you prefer not interfacing with patients nearly as much, this might be the setting for you. Working as a Medical Assistant in a diagnostic laboratory means you will run tests on samples, record results, and input data. You could also be tasked with supporting scientists if the lab you’re working at is at a research university, and work in medical research and development.

Assisted Living Communities

If you have a passion for helping people, participating in geriatric care at an assisted living community may be the perfect Medical Assistant role for you. As the Baby Boomer generation ages into retirement, the demand for assistance in senior living communities across the country will only continue to grow. Help them make the most of their final years by performing daily living tasks, taking vital signs, and maintaining medical records.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.