Is Medical Assisting a Good Career Choice for You?

Medical assisting is a quickly growing career path that has numerous benefits. Many individuals enjoy having a career as medical assistants because they're helping people in need.

If you're looking for a career where you can make a difference in the world, becoming a medical assistant can be the right option. Learn more about what a medical assistant is and the benefits of the career.

What Is a Medical Assistant?

A medical assistant helps physicians and front office staff within the medical industry. Medical assistants often work in clinics or medical offices and have numerous clinical responsibilities, including:

• Recording patient medical history
• Preparing patients for exams and explaining procedures
• Collecting lab specimens
• Attending to wounds and dressings
• Preparing patients for administering medications
• Instructing patients about dietary changes and medication schedules
• Assisting doctors with exams

These are just a few of the many responsibilities medical assistants can have. Individuals in this profession are often also responsible for administrative tasks, such as updating patient records, handling billing, welcoming patients and answering phone calls. The general role of a medical assistant is to support other medical staff with day-to-day responsibilities.

10 Reasons Why Medical Assisting Is a Good Career Choice

Becoming a medical assistant can be an excellent choice for many people. People often choose this career to help people, giving them a job to be proud of. Some reasons that becoming a medical assistant is a good career option include:

1. High demand: The medical assistant career is expected to grow 24% in New Jersey between 2020 and 2030. Since the field is expected to grow so much, there is a high demand for individuals to fill these roles, creating numerous job opportunities.
2. Competitive salaries: Salaries and hourly wages for medical assistants are competitive in most areas, with a median salary of $37,190 in the United States in 2021. Compensation does depend on education level, experience, location, and other factors.
3. Versatile job skills: You can take the skills you learn to become a medical assistant and work anywhere. If you start working in one area but want to move to another county, city, or state, you can work wherever you move. This versatility appeals to individuals who wish to see more of the country or have to move a lot due to their spouse's work or other reasons. You can use your certification in locations anywhere in the United States.
4. Numerous locations: You have multiple choices when choosing a place to work as a medical assistant, including private medical offices, outpatient clinics, and hospitals. You can choose to work in a location that suits your needs and helps you reach your career goals.
5. Potential for job advancement: The skills you acquire as you work through your career as a medical assistant can help you advance into numerous other jobs in the medical industry. You can continue to work in administrative positions or go into a more specialized clinical role. No matter what you choose, the possibilities are endless as a medical assistant.
6. Predictable scheduling: Many people are concerned about their schedules when they choose a new job. Some people have outside responsibilities that require consistent work hours. Becoming a medical assistant in certain parts of the medical industry allows you to have stable, predictable hours so you can take care of your other life responsibilities.
7. Work makes a difference: Working in the medical field means caring for those in need and making a difference in people's lives. Many people choose to work as medical assistants because they desire to help people.
8. Stability: Since medical assistants are in demand and the industry is growing, individuals in the field can expect greater stability than those in other careers. People looking for stability, especially through trying economic times, can do so by choosing a career as a medical assistant.
9. Benefits: Being a medical assistant allows you to gain benefits from your employer, such as healthcare coverage and a 401(k). These benefits are particularly appealing for individuals who currently work in a job with little to no benefits. Medical assisting is also a good career path for older adults or empty nesters looking for stable health coverage as they age.
10. Quick training: Becoming a medical assistant takes less time than many think. Depending on your coursework requirements, you can often complete programs in 10 to 12 months. You'll also gain practical skills during your program that will make you more efficient as a medical assistant.

Becoming a medical assistant has numerous benefits and can often lead to other great opportunities in healthcare. All types of people can find a fulfilling career as a medical assistant.

The Challenges of Medical Assisting

While there are many advantages to entering the medical industry as a medical assistant, there are a few challenges to consider before entering the field. These challenges include:

• Limited responsibilities: As a medical assistant, you'll have fewer responsibilities than other medical professionals, such as doctors or nurses. Some people want to perform clinical procedures or health assessments, which require further education and certification than what's needed to become a medical assistant. The limited responsibilities of a medical assistant may deter some people who want to do more within the medical field.
• Stressful schedules: Many medical assistant jobs have fast-paced schedules, which can cause some people stress. Some people may enjoy multi-tasking, but some may become overwhelmed.
• Biohazards: Working as a medical assistant means you'll be exposed to biohazards regularly. People with weakened immune systems can be at risk while working as medical assistants, and others may be unable to handle working with biohazards.

While these disadvantages can impact some people's choice to become a medical assistant, these are small compared to the many benefits of the job.

Is Medical Assisting a Good Career?

Becoming a medical assistant can be the perfect career for some, but not every job is for everyone. However, medical assisting has many benefits and can be an excellent career choice. You'll benefit from a standard schedule, quality pay, and numerous benefits. Medical assisting is also a great springboard to other more advanced fields in healthcare.

Consider the benefits of the career when deciding whether to enroll as a student in a medical assistant training program.

Start Training to Become a Medical Assistant Today

The American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education (AIMS) provides a medical assistant training program for individuals in the New Jersey area. We offer high-quality, career-focused education to students to ensure they have the experience and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers.

If you're considering a career as a medical assistant, trust AIMS to provide your training and prepare you for certification. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and the admissions process.