The Job Growth of Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States The job growth of medical assistants is expected to be much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026.

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Job outlook for medical assistants

Medical assistants are in demand! The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2018 to 2028, at a rate of 29 percent. This is much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations, which is 5 percent. The reason for this projected growth is the increasing number of aging baby boomers who will need medical care, and the consequent increase in the number of physicians and other health care providers.

The duties of a medical assistant

Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice.

Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate. Others may have attended a medical assistant program at a community college or technical school. Some states require medical assistants to be licensed or certified.

Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians and physician assistants working in tandem with medical assistants. In addition, as physician practices expand their services to include more preventive care and elective procedures, they will require more administrative and clinical support from medical assistants.

The necessary skills for a medical assistant

Medical assistants are needed in a variety of medical settings, from small clinics to large hospitals. They are responsible for assisting physicians and other medical staff with patient care, administrative tasks, and clinical procedures.

To become a medical assistant, you will need to have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. You must be able to effectively communicate with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team. You will also need to be detail-oriented and organized in order to keep track of patients’ medical records and ensure that all paperwork is completed correctly.

In addition to strong communication skills, you will also need to be able to handle basic medical procedures. These may include taking vital signs, administering injections, performing EKGs, and assisting with minor surgical procedures. As a medical assistant, you must be able to maintain a calm and professional demeanor at all times, even in stressful situations.

The job growth for medical assistants is expected to be much faster than average in the next decade. This is due in part to the aging baby boomer population and the resulting increase in demand for healthcare services. If you are interested in beginning a career in healthcare, becoming a medical assistant is a great way to get started.

The education and training requirements for a medical assistant

Medical assistants are in high demand due to the increasing number of physicians and the growing complexity of medical care. In order to meet this demand, many people are interested in pursuing a career as a medical assistant.

The education and training requirements for a medical assistant vary by state, but most states require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Medical assistants must also complete an accredited program that includes both classroom and clinical instruction. Some states also require medical assistants to pass a certification exam.

Once they have completed their education and training, medical assistants can find employment in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and other healthcare facilities. Medical assistants typically perform administrative and clinical tasks, such as taking patients’ vital signs, scheduling appointments, and processing insurance forms.

The work environment of a medical assistant

Medical assistants are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. Most medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, clinics or other outpatient care facilities. A small number work in hospitals. In some states, medical assistants may be allowed to work in residential care facilities and nursing homes

Medical assistants typically do administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, but there are many basic tasks that are common in nearly all healthcare facilities. Most medical Assistants:
Answer telephones
Schedule appointments
Arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services
Handle correspondence
Take and record patients’ vital signs
Prepare patients for examinations
Assist physicians during examinations
Give patients injections as directed by a physician
Provide postoperative care as directed by a physician
Draw blood
Prepare and maintain equipment for examinations and treatments
Code patients’ Medical records for insurance purposes

The salary and benefits of a medical assistant

Medical assistants are in high demand, and the job growth for this career is expected to continue to grow at a rapid pace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a medical assistant is $33,610 per year, and the job growth for this career is expected to be 22% through 2026. This means that there will be nearly 179,000 new medical assistant jobs added to the economy during this time period.

There are many reasons why medical assistants are in high demand. One of the biggest reasons is that they play a vital role in helping doctors and other healthcare professionals provide quality patient care. They also help to keep healthcare costs down by performing tasks that would otherwise be performed by more expensive healthcare professionals.

Medical assistants typically have an associate’s degree or certification from a vocational school. Some states also require medical assistants to be licensed or registered. The majority of medical assistants work in outpatient care centers, but they can also be found working in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare facilities.

The job growth of medical assistants

Medical assistants are an integral part of the healthcare team, providing support to physicians and other medical professionals. They perform a variety of tasks, from administrative duties to clinical tasks, and play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of a medical practice.

The job outlook for medical assistants is positive, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 29% growth in employment from 2016 to 2026. This growth is much faster than the average for all occupations, and is due to the increasing demand for healthcare services as the population ages.

If you are interested in a career as a medical assistant, now is a great time to start training. With strong job growth and a median annual salary of $31,540, medical assisting is a stable and rewarding career choice.

The career outlook for medical assistants

As recently as 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) did not track job growth specifically for medical assistants. The agency instead lumped medical assistants together with all other medical secretaries and administrative assistants, estimating a combined growth rate of 22 percent between 2010 and 2020.

More recent BLS data shows that demand for medical assistants is growing much faster than 22 percent. Between 2016 and 2026, the number of medical assistant jobs is expected to grow by 29 percent, nearly three times the average growth rate for all occupations.

10 reasons to become a medical assistant

1. There is a projected job growth of 29% from 2016 to 2026 for medical assistants, which is much faster than average.*
2. The median annual wage was $32,480 in May 2017, and the top 10% of earners made more than $47,350.*
3. Many medical assistants have flexible schedules and can often choose to work part-time if they so choose.*
4. Most medical assistants work in outpatient care centers, hospitals, and physician’s offices, so the working environment is generally clean and comfortable.*
5. Medical assistants generally have very good benefits, including health insurance and paid time off.*
6. The job does not require a formal education beyond a high school diploma or GED, although many employers prefer candidates who have completed a postsecondary medical assisting program.*
7. The duties of a medical assistant are varied and interesting, and no two days on the job are likely to be the same.*
8. Medical assistants generally have the opportunity to interact directly with patients and help them with their healthcare needs, which can be very gratifying work.*
9. The job can be emotionally demanding at times, but it is also very rewarding to know that you are helping people in a direct and tangible way.*
10. If you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare but are not sure if you want to commit to becoming a doctor or nurse, becoming a medical assistant may be the perfect option for you!

5 popular medical assistant job titles

Medical assistants are in high demand due to the ever-growing healthcare industry. As a medical assistant, you can choose from a variety of job titles and duties. Here are 5 popular medical assistant job titles:

1. Clinical medical assistant: A clinical medical assistant works closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide direct patient care. Clinical duties may include taking patient histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting with procedures, and performing basic laboratory tests.

2. Administrative medical assistant: An administrative medical assistant performs administrative and clerical duties in a healthcare setting. Duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance claims, and handling correspondence.

3. Surgical medical assistant: A surgical medical assistant provides direct patient care before, during, and after surgery. Duties may include scrubbing in for surgery, passing instruments to the surgeon, managing the sterile field, and caring for the patient post-operatively.

4. Ophthalmic medical assistant: An ophthalmic medical assistant provides direct patient care in an ophthalmology setting. Duties may include measuring visual acuity, administering eye exams, performing minor surgical procedures such as foreign body removal, and prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses.

5. Podiatric medical assistant: A podiatric medical assistant provides direct patient care in a podiatry setting. Duties may include taking patient histories, performing foot exams, ordering diagnostic tests, removing calluses and corns, and providing general foot care advice.