If you're considering pursuing a career in healthcare, medical assisting can allow you to do meaningful work that matters in your community. Medical assistants play an essential role in the day-to-day operations of healthcare facilities. They are often among the first and last people a patient sees at a check-up or doctor's appointment. If you are compassionate, detail-oriented, and interested in the healthcare field, here are four reasons why medical assisting could be a great career choice for you.
1. Medical assisting is more than just a job. It’s a rewarding healthcare career.
Medical assistants work as members of a healthcare team, supporting physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals. As a medical assistant, you’ll have the chance to contribute directly to patient health and medical care. If you have an upbeat attitude and positive demeanor, you can help to keep patients feeling at ease and smiling during an experience that might otherwise be stressful.
As a medical assistant, you’ll also learn a lot about the healthcare field. With experience and continued education, you may find opportunities for advancement into roles like medical office or records manager, healthcare administrator, or other related jobs. If you choose, you’ll also be able to return to school in preparation for transitioning into another area of the healthcare field.
2. Medical assisting encompasses diverse and engaging responsibilities.
As a medical assistant, you may perform a wide mix of administrative and clinical duties, so that you’re always busy and never bored.
On the administrative side, you might:
● schedule appointments
● greet patients
● update electronics
● health records
● handle billing and insurance.
Clinical duties can include:
● recording patient information and history
● instructing patients on medications
● checking vital signs
● preparing blood samples
● conducting basic lab tests
● assisting the doctor before and during a patient exam.
In some states, medical assistants may give patients injections or medications as instructed by the physician.
3. Medical assistants can pursue work that matches their interests and needs.
Medical assistants can work in a variety of care facilities. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), slightly over half of all medical assistants work at physician’s offices. If you have an interest in a particular area like cardiology or obstetrics, for example, you may be able to pursue employment at a practice that specializes in that area. Other common employers are hospitals and outpatient care centers, which can also offer opportunities to specialize.
Most medical assistants have full-time schedules while others work part-time instead. If you work in a physician’s or other practitioner’s office, you may work a relatively predictable schedule since most clinics and offices open during standard business hours, making it easier for you to plan and schedule time with family and friends.
4. Medical assistant employment is growing faster than average.
According to the BLS, employment of medical assistants in the US is expected to increase 16% from 2021 to 203 1, in comparison to the 5% average across all occupations. Medical assistant employment growth follows the general growth of the healthcare industry and the increasing need for support workers at healthcare facilities. This increase in demand for medical assistants may provide workers with increased career stability and the knowledge that medical assistants will need.
How to Prepare for Your Medical Assisting Career
At South University, our Associate of Science in Medical Assisting degree program can prepare you with the technical training, interpersonal skills, and medical knowledge needed to pursue a career as a medical assistant in as little as 2 years. This program covers topics such as:
● Anatomy and physiology
● Medical terminology
● Clinical laboratory competencies
● Medical office procedures
● Medical insurance and coding
● Computers in the medical office
● Human pathophysiology
● Business communications
● Medical assisting certification
● And more
In addition to hands-on coursework and one-on-one faculty attention, our program includes the opportunity to gain 160 hours of on-site experience and practice performing supervised medical assistant duties in a local medical organization. Students may be able to study for and take an industry-recognized national certification exam***, giving them the chance to earn a credential that could be beneficial on the job market. The exam preparation materials and fees are paid for by South University as part of the Medical Assisting program.
Learn more today about South University’s medical assisting program available online* and at our Columbia**, Montgomery**, and Savannah** campuses.
Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. Not all programs are available to residents of all U.S. states. Administrative office: South University, 709 Mall Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31406-4805. ©2022 South University. All rights reserved. Our email address is materialsreview@southuniversity.edu.
Accreditation & Licensing
*The online Associate of Science in Medical Assisting program is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org).
**The South University Medical Assisting Programs on the Columbia, Montgomery, and Savannah campuses are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); 9355 - 113th Street North, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350.
***South University does not guarantee third-party certification/licensure. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and are subject to change without notice.
