A Look at the Medical Assistant Career Outlook

Medical assistants are in high demand! Learn about the career outlook for this exciting profession, including job growth projections and salary information.

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Job description

A medical assistant is a person who has received certification to perform various duties in a doctor’s office or clinic. Medical assistants can perform many administrative duties, such as scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records They also perform clinical duties, such as taking patients’ vital signs and assisting with minor medical procedures. In some states, Medical Assistants may be allowed to give injections or start IVs.

The duties of a medical assistant vary depending on the size of the doctor’s office or clinic, and the number of patients seen each day. In a small office, a medical assistant may be responsible for all aspects of patient care. In a large office or clinic, the medical assistant may work under the supervision of a nurse or doctor and be responsible for specific tasks.

Duties

The medical assistant profession is one of the most versatile in the medical field. Medical assistants perform a variety of duties in doctor’s offices and clinics, including taking patient histories, scheduling appointments, answering phones, and performing basic laboratory tests. In some states, they may also be allowed to give injections and take X-rays.

Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some have completed postsecondary education programs. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited medical assisting program, which can take up to two years to complete. Although not required, certification may also be preferred by some employers.

The outlook for medical assistants is very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2018 and 2028. The aging Baby Boomer population will need more medical care as they age, and this increased demand will lead to more jobs for medical assistants.

Skills

Among the skills you will need as a medical assistant are good communication, both written and verbal, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well as part of a team. You will also need to be detail oriented and organized as well as able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. In addition, computer skills are becoming increasingly important in the medical field as more and more hospitals and doctor’s offices move to electronic health records.

Education and training

The roles of a medical assistant are both clinical and administrative. Many people pursue a career as a medical assistant because they enjoy working with people and want to help them in a medical capacity, but don’t want to pursue a lengthy and expensive degree. A medical assistant career outlook is very positive, as the demand for qualified medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some positions may require postsecondary education, and most states regulate the profession. Although not required, completing an accredited postsecondary education program can give applicants an edge in the job market. These programs typically last about one year and lead to a certificate or diploma. Some community colleges offer 2-year associate’s degree programs in medical assisting.

Salary

Medical assistants are in demand! The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 19 percent employment growth for medical assistants between 2016 and 2026 — much faster than the average for all occupations.1 As the health care industry continues to grow, so will the need for qualified medical assistants.

But what does this mean for your career? Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about the medical assistant career outlook, including:

-The states with the highest employment levels for medical assistants
-The industries that employ the most medical assistants
-How experience and location affect medical assistant salaries

Job outlook

The job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment in this occupation will grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2019 and 2029. In fact, the BLS predicts an impressive 31% growth in medical assistant jobs during that time period. This projected growth is largely due to the increasing number of aging baby boomers who will need more medical care as they age.

Pros and cons

Like any career, working as a medical assistant has both its pros and cons. It’s important to evaluate both before making the decision to enter this growing field.

On the plus side, medical assistants are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due in large part to an aging population that is living longer and requiring more medical care.

In addition, medical assistants are typically paid well for their services. The median annual wage for medical assistants was $31,540 in 2016, according to the BLS. And those with experience or specialized training can earn even more.

On the downside, working as a medical assistant can be stressful at times. You’ll be working with patients who may be ill or injured and their families who are worried about their loved ones. You’ll also be working with a team of doctors and nurses who may be under a lot of pressure to provide quality care.

If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant, it’s important to weigh both the pros and cons before making a decision.

What to expect

The medical assistant career outlook is quite positive, as the demand for these professionals is expected to grow much faster than the average for all other occupations through 2026. This demand is due, in large part, to an aging population and advances in medical technology. As a result, medical assistants will be needed to perform various administrative and clinical tasks to keep doctors’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities running smoothly.

Medical assistants can find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, and long-term care facilities. Many of these facilities are now using electronic health records (EHRs), and medical assistants will need to be proficient in using these systems. In addition, as the baby-boom generation ages, there will be an increasing demand for preventive medical services, which are likely to be provided by medical assistants.

Certification

Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a medical assisting program and have earned professional certification. Certification for medical assistants is voluntary, but it demonstrates to employers that the individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the job. There are several certification options for medical assistants. The certifying agency with the largest number of certified medical assistants is the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To earn the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential from the AAMA, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assistant program and pass a national exam.

Job growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for medical assistants is expected to be much faster than average in the coming years. In fact, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 23 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is nearly four times the average growth rate for all occupations. This growth is due in large part to an aging population and an increase in the number of people with health insurance