Career Advancement Opportunities for Medical Assistants

 Working in the healthcare field is a fulfilling career path for many, with plenty of benefits to go along with the job. People in this industry often have ample job and financial security compared to other fields, as healthcare is a constant necessity in society. Becoming a medical assistant is an excellent way to join the industry and serve those in your community.

Some people are unaware of the many career paths for medical assistants and their ability to move upward in the healthcare industry. Continue reading to learn more about what comes after being a medical assistant and the numerous growth opportunities.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

Medical assistants, sometimes called clinical assistants, are healthcare professionals that support physicians and other health professionals, typically in medical clinics. Their job is to perform administrative and healthcare tasks, such as scheduling appointments, answering phone calls, managing patient medical records, taking and recording vital signs or preparing patients for an exam.

Medical assistants earn their certification through an accredited program. People who aim to become medical assistants should have the following skills to ensure they can perform clinical and administrative tasks:

• Communication skills
• Customer service skills
• Medical knowledge
• Sanitation and safety knowledge
• Computer skills

A medical assistant career has many benefits, including job security, financial stability, personal enrichment and healthcare benefits. These benefits and the short time it takes to earn a certification make becoming a medical assistant an attractive option. 

Career Opportunities for Medical Assistants

Many people who seek to become medical assistants wonder what career advancement opportunities they will have once they start the job. Being a medical assistant is an excellent starting career in the healthcare industry and can be a stepping stone for future career opportunities.

Some of the alternative career paths and growth opportunities include:

Phlebotomy Technician

Phlebotomy technicians take blood from patients for lab testing, donations or other sampling needs. These blood samples are examined in a laboratory setting to help diagnose and treat various conditions and illnesses. These technicians frequently work in clinics, hospitals and labs, though some technicians travel to patients' homes or long-term healthcare facilities.

This alternative career path is ideal for medical assistants because they already have basic phlebotomy training as part of their program. However, some employers may require medical assistants to receive additional training. It is also recommended that you get get your certification to become a phlebotomy technician. This entails taking the Phlebotomy Technician Certification exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or another recognized certifying agency.

This career path has ample job and financial security since the need for phlebotomy technicians is expected to grow in the coming years. Medical assistants looking for an alternative career path with ample employment opportunities and quality pay might consider becoming a phlebotomist.

EKG Technician

EKG technicians provide testing for cardiovascular conditions or concerns — primarily through electrocardiograms (EKGs), though they may utilize other tools. EKG testing starts by attaching electrodes to a patient's chest, arms and legs. The EKG technician will monitor and report the test results. 

These technicians may also be responsible for other duties in a healthcare facility, such as assisting physicians during medical procedures, maintaining equipment and asking the patient for their medical history. Since EKG technicians have many applications, they can work in hospitals, inpatient or outpatient facilities and cardiologists' clinics.

Similar to phlebotomy, most medical assistant programs include EKG training in their standard curriculums. Many employers prefer that their technicians have some experience in the medical field, which gives medical assistants an edge when looking for a new career path. Medical assistants looking to become EKG technicians can also get certified through NHA, which offers the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam.

Medical Office Assistant

Medical office assistants use their knowledge and expertise to perform administrative tasks, similar to the job a medical assistant already performs. They'll greet patients as they come in, handle scheduling, file insurance claims and take care of medical billing or accounting. Medical office assistants work in various healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehabs and hospices.

Medical office assistants are typically only required to complete a medical assisting program, which is the exact requirement for a medical assistant. Medical assistants looking to handle similar job responsibilities to what they already do would be a good fit for this career path.

Health Information Management

Health information technicians manage medical records, coding, evaluating and organizing various healthcare operations. They utilize different storage, classifications and indices systems to retrieve and organize files. They're also responsible for checking medical charts or records for accuracy and comprehensiveness while creating new patient records. 

Health information management technicians require extensive knowledge of medicine and various disciplines. They also require some knowledge of the law, IT, finance and management. As a result, these technicians usually need an associate's degree.

Health information management is an ideal career opportunity for medical assistants who want to continue their work in the informational and technological aspects of healthcare. These professionals work regular hours, though they don't work with patients one-on-one. Ideal candidates enjoy working with data and want to make a difference in the healthcare industry.