Are Medical Assistants in Demand?
Contents
- Job Outlook for Medical Assistants
- What Does a medical assistant Do?
- Medical Assistant Salary
- How to Become a Medical Assistant
- What Education is Needed to Become a Medical Assistant
- What are the Different Types of Medical Assistants?
- What are the Duties of a Medical Assistant?
- What are the Skills Needed to be a Medical Assistant?
- What are the Job Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant?
- What are the Career Opportunities for a Medical Assistant?
Yes, Medical assistants are in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
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Job Outlook for Medical Assistants
The job outlook for medical assistants is excellent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the expanding healthcare industry and an aging population that needs more medical care.
With such a high demand for medical assistants, you may be wondering if now is the time to pursue a career in this field. The answer is yes! medical assistant programs typically take about a year to complete, which means you can be working in your new career in no time. And, with the median salary for medical assistants being $32,480 per year, it’s a great option for those looking to start their career in the healthcare field.
What Does a medical assistant Do?
A medical assistant is a person who has been trained to provide basic patient care and perform administrative tasks in a healthcare setting. They are often the first point of contact between patients and doctors, and their duties can vary depending on the type of healthcare facility they work in.
Medical assistants typically work in outpatient clinics, physician’s offices, or hospitals. In some states, they may also be allowed to work in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
The duties of a medical assistant can vary depending on their employer’s needs, but they often include basic patient care tasks such as taking vital signs, measuring height and weight, and administering injections. They may also be responsible for scheduling appointments, handling patient billing and insurance claims, and ordering medical supplies
What Does a Medical Assistant Do? was last modified: December 18th, 2018 by Danielle
Medical Assistant Salary
Medical assistants are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow by 29 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The growing numbers of aging baby boomers are expected to have increasing need for preventive medical services, which will require more office visits to physicians and other health care practitioners. As a result, demand for medical assistants is expected to grow.
In addition, as physicians expand their practices, they will hire more medical assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, such as scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, handling correspondence, billing patients and coding insurance forms.
How to Become a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are in high demand across the United States. If you’re thinking about a career in healthcare, becoming a medical assistant is a great place to start. But what does it take to become a medical assistant?
The first step is to research medical assistant programs at colleges and universities near you. Once you’ve found a program that interests you, the next step is to apply and be accepted into the program.
After completing your medical assistant training, you’ll need to pass the certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once you’ve passed the exam, you’ll be ready to start your new career as a medical assistant!
What Education is Needed to Become a Medical Assistant
There is a growing demand for medical assistants, and the role is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. Medical assistants perform a variety of duties, including administrative tasks, clinical tasks, and customer service. Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some positions may require postsecondary education or certification.
What are the Different Types of Medical Assistants?
There are three types of medical assistants: certified, registered, and licensed. Each has different educational requirements and credentials. The type of medical assistant you become will depend on your educational path and state regulations.
-Certified medical assistants (CMAs) must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and pass a national certification exam. CMA credentials are granted by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
-Registered medical assistants (RMAs) must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and pass a national examination administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). RMA credentials are granted by the AMT.
-Licensed medical assistants (LMAs) must have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete an accredited medical assistant program, and pass a state-specific licensure exam. LMAs are regulated by state laws and some states do not require licensure.
What are the Duties of a Medical Assistant?
Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate. Some programs may last up to 2 years and lead to an associate degree.
Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the size and location of the practice and the practitioners’ specialty.
Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate. Some programs may last up to 2 years and lead to an associate degree. No matter what their level of education, all medical assistants take a professional credentialing exam.
What are the Skills Needed to be a Medical Assistant?
There are many skills needed to be a medical assistant. The most important skill is the ability to multitask. Medical assistants must be able to handle multiple tasks at one time and keep track of many patients. They must also be able to work well under pressure and have excellent communication skills.
Other important skills include:
– Strong interpersonal skills
– Organizational skills
– Ability to work independently
– Knowledge of medical terminology
– Computer literacy
What are the Job Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant?
As a medical assistant, you will have a variety of responsibilities, which may include administrative duties, such as answering phones and scheduling appointments, as well as clinical tasks, such as measuring patients’ vital signs and assisting with minor medical procedures. No matter what your specific duties are, you will be playing an important role in ensuring that the medical office or clinic runs smoothly and that patients receive the high quality of care they need and deserve.
What are the Career Opportunities for a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants are in demand in a variety of settings, from small clinics to large hospitals. They perform many duties, including taking patients’ medical histories and vital signs, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting the physician during the exam.
With the aging of the Baby Boomer generation, the need for healthcare services is expected to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026—much faster than the average for all occupations.