What’s the Next Step Up from Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are in high demand, but what’s the next step up from this position? Check out our blog post to find out!

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Job Description

Job descriptions for Medical assistants vary depending on the size and type of facility in which they work. In a small clinic, a medical assistant might take on more responsibilities, such as scheduling patient appointments and performing basic lab tests. In a larger facility, a medical assistant might be responsible for handling insurance paperwork and billing. Some Medical Assistants specialize in working with specific populations, such as pediatrics or the elderly. Others focus on helping patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or cancer.

Duties

The duties of a medical assistant are typically administrative and clerical in nature, such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and handling correspondence.

Qualifications

There are several different ways to advance your career as a medical assistant. One option is to become certified as a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). Another option is to pursue an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in medical assisting. Finally, you could also choose to specialize in a particular area of medical assisting, such as working with pediatrics or geriatrics.

Education

If you’re a medical assistant wondering what’s the next step up, you’re not alone. Many people in your position ask themselves the same question. The good news is that there are a few options available to you, depending on your interests and goals.

One option is to become a registered medical assistant (RMA). This is a designation that is granted by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) organization. To be eligible for the RMA credential, you must have completed an accredited medical assisting program and have at least five years of full-time work experience as a medical assistant. You’ll also need to pass a certification exam administered by the AMT. Once you have your RMA credential, you’ll be able to use the title “Registered Medical Assistant” or “RMA.”

Another option is to pursue further education and training in order to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN). Both of these positions require completion of an accredited nursing program and passing of a licensing exam. LPNs and RNs have more responsibilities than medical assistants, including providing direct patient care, administering medication, and performing diagnostic tests.

Finally, you could choose to enter into management or administration within the medical field. This could involve working as an office manager for a doctor’s office or hospital, or working as a insurance specialist or billing coordinator. Although you wouldn’t be providing direct patient care in this type of position, you would be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a medical office or facility.

As you can see, there are several options available to you if you’re interested in advancing your career as a medical assistant. The best way to decide which direction is right for you is to carefully consider your goals and interests before making a decision.

Training

There are many ways to advance your career as a medical assistant. One option is to complete a formal training program to become a certified medical assistant (CMA). This credential is recognized by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and is the highest level of certification available for medical assistants. To become a CMA, you must complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass the Certification Exam administered by the AAMA.

Once you have completed a formal training program and earned your CMA credential, you may want to consider pursuing additional training to specialize in a particular area of medicine. For example, you could complete a short-term program to earn your phlebotomy certification or your EKG certification. Alternatively, you could pursue a longer-term program to earn an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in health science.

Certification

Medical assistants are unlicensed healthcare professionals who perform both clinical and administrative tasks in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They might take patients’ vital signs, administer injections, prepare patients for exams, schedule appointments, and handle billing and insurance paperwork.

The duties of medical assistants vary from state to state and from facility to facility. In some states, they may be allowed to perform more clinical tasks than in others. In general, the more experience a medical assistant has, the greater variety of tasks he or she will be able to perform.

Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some have completed postsecondary education programs. Some states require medical assistants to be certified, but certification is not required in all states.

There are several different certification options for medical assistants. The most common is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To earn this credential, candidates must pass a national exam administered by the AAMA.

Other certification options for medical assistants include the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) and the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential offered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA). Like the CMA credential, both the RMA and CCMA require candidates to pass a national exam.

In addition to certification, some employers prefer or require medical assistants to have completed an accredited education program. Although not required in all states, completing an accredited program can give candidates a competitive edge when applying for jobs.

Salary

There is no doubt that medical assistants are in high demand. They perform a vital role in assisting doctors and other healthcare professionals in providing patient care. However, many medical assistants eventually decide that they want to further their careers by becoming registered nurses (RNs).

So, what’s the next step up from medical assistant? Salary-wise, RNs definitely make more money than medical assistants. The median annual salary for RNs was $73,300 in May 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is nearly double the median annual salary for medical assistants, which was $35,720 in May 2019, per the BLS.

Of course, salary is not the only consideration when deciding whether to become an RN. It is also important to consider factors such as job outlook and educational requirements. The job outlook for RNs is very good. The BLS projects that employment for RNs will grow by 7% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In contrast, the job outlook for medical assistants is projected to grow by just 5% from 2019 to 2029, per the BLS.

Becoming an RN requires completing an accredited nursing program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Nursing programs typically take two to four years to complete, depending on whether you choose to pursue an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due in large part to the increasing number of aging baby boomers who are remaining active and needing more medical care.

As the population ages, there will be an increasing demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants. As a result, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow especially rapidly in physicians’ offices. In addition, the expansion of healthcare facilities such as walk-in clinics and urgent care centers will create additional job opportunities for medical assistants.

Career Paths

Medical assistants perform many important tasks in doctors’ offices and clinics, from greeting patients to updating their Medical records They are vital members of the healthcare team, but what’s the next step up from medical assistant?

For those interested in moving up the ladder, there are a few career paths that might be a good fit. One option is to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). LPNs provide basic nursing care and can work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare agencies.

Another option is to become a registered nurse (RN). RNs have more responsibilities than LPNs, including administering medication and monitoring patients’ vital signs. They also have the option to specialize in a particular area of nursing, such as pediatrics or geriatrics.

For those interested in management positions, another route is to become a medical office manager. Medical office managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a medical practice. They are responsible for hiring and training staff, maintaining financial records, and ensuring that the office runs smoothly.

Whatever path you choose, it’s important to remember that continuing your education is essential for advancing your career in healthcare.

Further Reading

After you have gain some experience working as a medical assistant, you may be wondering what the next step is in your career. If you are looking to move up within the medical field, there are a few different options available to you. One option is to become a registered medical assistant, which requires completing an accredited program and passing an exam. Another option is to become a certified medical assistant, which also requires completing an accredited program and passing an exam but also requires completing continuing education credits on a yearly basis. You could also choose to pursue a career as a nurse, doctor, or other healthcare provider.