Career Outlook for Medical Assistants
The medical field is growing. Hospitals, clinics, and care facilities are looking for medical assistants and nurses to help with patients.
Becoming a medical assistant may lead to a career in healthcare with advancement opportunities. Check out these five interesting facts about becoming a medical assistant.
Medical assistants held 720,000 jobs in 2020
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants held over 743,500 jobs in 2021. Medical assistants mostly worked in physicians’ offices (57%), but other assistants had jobs at hospitals, outpatient care centers, and chiropractic offices.
What does this mean for you? Well, you may have choices about where to work! You can choose a medical niche if you want and find job openings for medical assistants.
Medical assistants perform clerical and patient care duties
Medical assistants have a variety of duties. While some of what medical assistants can do is limited in scope, medical assistants still perform valuable work that is necessary to keep medical facilities operating smoothly. As a medical assistant, you may fill out patient paperwork and file it, check vital signs, schedule patient appointments, and administer medicine.
Confidentiality is important for medical assistants. You will be recording private patient information, so following proper procedures is necessary to protect patient privacy.
Medical assistants can work in specializations
Medical assistants can work for chiropractors, ophthalmologists, podiatrists, and other specializations. Some specializations may require additional training but in general, you may have the opportunity to work in many different medical settings as a medical assistant.
What kind of doctor’s office would interest you? You may find a career in a medical specialization! Other specializations to consider are maternity/pediatric care and geriatric care. Take care of new moms and babies or work with aging adults with various medical needs.
Medical Assistants earn Good Salaries and a Stable Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants earn a median (middle) wage of $17.88 per hour or $37,190 per year. Medical assistants may earn more than that based on location and experience. Some medical assistants may start at a little less but may grow in their roles and their salaries.
There are plenty of reasons to become a medical assistant, but salary ranges are one of the reasons that draws people into the field. Medical assisting is also an entry-level medical profession. You may grow in the field with additional education and training.
The job outlook for medical assistants is expected to grow 16% from 2021 to 2031.
Become a Medical Assistant in Seven Months
You can train to become a medical assistant at Bright Education Institute in as little as seven months. The medical assistant program includes 560 theory hours and 240 applied practical training hours. You will learn medical terminology and skills to enter the field as a medical assistant.
To enroll, you need either a high school diploma or GED. Fill out the enrollment application and pay the $150 registration fee, send your high school transcripts, and then register for classes after acceptance. Your career as a medical assistant can start at Bright Education Institute.
