What Does the Future Outlook for Medical Assistants Look Like?

Medical assistants are in high demand and the future outlook for their career is very positive. If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant here’s what you need to know about the future of this rewarding profession.

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Job Outlook for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are in high demand and the job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for medical assistants will be driven by an increased emphasis on preventive care and the aging Baby Boomer population.

As the healthcare industry continues to grow, so too will the need for qualified medical assistants. If you’re thinking of becoming a medical assistant, now is a great time to start your training.

Medical Assistant Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants made a median salary of $33,610 in 2018.2 The top 10% earned more than $48,720, and the bottom 10% earned less than $23,940 that year.2

Medical assistants are expected to experience a much faster than average rate of growth from 2018 to 2028 at 29%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.|3 The growing demand for healthcare services from an aging baby boomer population will spur demand for all healthcare occupations, including medical assistants. The widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) will also contribute to employment growth as medical assistants help transform paper records into digital ones.

Medical Assistant Duties

Medical assistants are key members of the healthcare team, providing a wide range of clinical and administrative tasks to support patients and physicians. As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, medical assistants will play an increasingly important role in meeting patient needs.

There is currently a high demand for medical assistants, and this is expected to continue in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 29% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.1

With a comprehensive understanding of medical assisting duties, you can be well-prepared to pursue a rewarding career in this growing field.

Medical Assistant Training

Medical assistants are in high demand across the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of medical assistants will grow 29 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.¹ With an aging population and advances in medical technology, physicians and other health care providers will need assistance with both administrative and clinical tasks.

Medical assistants typically have completed a postsecondary education program of more than a year but less than four years. Many programs award a certificate, but some awards an Associate’s degree. Although not required, certification may improve job prospects.²

Completing a training program is the best way to prepare for the certification exam and to become familiar with Medical Terminology office procedures, and insurance billing and coding. Many community colleges, technical schools, vocational schools, hospitals, and private trade schools offer medical assistant training programs. Some programs take as little as nine months to complete, but most take two years or longer.

What Does the Future Outlook for Medical Assistants Look Like?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2016 to 2026, at a rate of 29%. With an aging population and advances in medical technology, there will be an increased need for healthcare services. Medical assistants will be needed to perform basic clerical and clinical tasks to keep physicians’ offices and other healthcare facilities running smoothly.

Medical assistants typically have an associate degree or postsecondary certificate, although some have completed formal medical assisting programs at the high school level. Most states do not regulate medical assistants, but certification may be preferred by some employers. The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. To earn this credential, candidates must pass a computer-based exam that tests their knowledge of medical assisting.

The Medical Assistant Job Market

The medical assistant job market is strong and growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of medical assistant jobs will increase by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026 — much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to several factors, including an aging population and an emphasis on preventive care.

As the baby boomer population ages, they will need more medical care, and as more insurance plans cover preventive care, there will be a greater demand for medical assistants. In addition, as more medical procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, there will be a need for more medical assistants in physician offices and other outpatient care facilities.

The Future of Healthcare

No one can predict the future, but experts in the healthcare field have some idea of what the next few years might hold for medical assistants.

The most pressing concern for many medical assistants is the shortage of physicians. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, by 2025 the United States will have a shortage of 46,000 primary care physicians and 61,700 other specialists. This shortage will only be compounded by an aging population and an increase in chronic conditions.

To help address this shortage, some states are starting to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to work independently from physicia ns. In some cases, this may mean that medical assistants will be working more closely with these other professionals.

Another trend that is likely to affect medical assistants is the move towards value-based care. This model focuses on quality of care rather than quantity of care, and it could lead to changes in the way medical assistants perform their duties. For example, they may be asked to do more patient education and monitoring in order to help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.

Technology is also likely to play a big role in the future of healthcare, and medical assistants will need to keep up with new developments. Electronic health records are becoming increasingly common, and medical assistants will need to be proficient in using them. They may also be asked to use new types of technology, such as patient portals and telemedicine platforms.

The future outlook for medical assistants is therefore both exciting and challenging. They will need to be adaptable and willing to learn new skills in order to keep up with the changing landscape of healthcare.

The Impact of Technology on Medical Assistants

The medical assistant profession is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects a 29% employment increase for medical assistants during this time frame, which is more than three times the average growth rate for all occupations.

The Role of Medical Assistants in the Healthcare Industry

Medical assistants are in high demand due to the continued growth of the healthcare industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will increase by 29% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.1

Aspiring medical assistants can look forward to a career in a growing industry with good job prospects. Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. They are usually responsible for scheduling appointments, taking and recording vital signs, updating medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and preparing patients for examinations.

1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm

The Importance of Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are vitally important members of the healthcare team. They perform a variety of tasks, from administrative duties to clinical tasks, and they play a key role in helping doctors and other medical professionals provide high-quality care to patients.

The future outlook for medical assistants is very positive. The demand for medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations between now and 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This demand is being driven by a number of factors, including an aging population that will need more medical care, an increase in the number of people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, and an expansion of access to healthcare thanks to the Affordable Care Act

If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant, you can rest assured that it’s a choice that will offer you good job prospects and security in the years to come.