Becoming a medical assistant (MA) comes with a multitude of benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The MA role boasts an above-average job growth rate, numerous paths for career advancement, and provides comprehensive exposure to in-demand administrative and clinical facets of healthcare. In addition to these career benefits, medical assisting can serve as a launch point for careers in nursing, healthcare administration, community health, and more.
Still considering a career in medical assisting? Here are four things to know:
01. Learn Fundamental Medical Assistant Skills
Becoming a medical assistant isn’t just about taking vitals and drawing blood – while those aspects are essential to the role, they often accompany one of the critical parts of being a MA, providing a comfortable patient experience. As a MA, you will apply key administrative and clinical skills that will assist you in delivering safe, accountable, and ethical patient-centered care.
- Administrative Responsibilities
- Greet patients upon arrival.
- Answer and direct patient phone calls.
- Manage and schedule appointments for patients and providers.
- Create and update medical records through EMR systems.
- Review and submit insurance claims.
- Clinical Responsibilities
- Clean and prepare patient exam rooms.
- Record and update medical histories and patient intakes.
- Explaining treatment procedures to patients
- Removing sutures and changing dressings
- Drawing blood and administering vaccinations
02. Multiple Work Environments
Due to the versatility and demand of their skills, those interested in becoming a medical assistant can enjoy a multitude of work environments throughout the healthcare continuum. The Bureau of Labor Statistics work environment report, details common locations for MAs to secure employment. While the majority of MAs work in physician or clinic offices, those interested in becoming a medical assistant can also find employment in hospitals, ambulatory care centers, outpatient care centers, specialist offices, mobile health clinics, and more.
03. Explore New Medical Assistant Career Pathways
Working as a medical assistant not only provides a strong foundation in the medical field but opens doors to various career pathways in clinical and administrative disciplines. Potential career transitions include nursing or similar adjacent fields, healthcare administration, and more.
04. Professional & Educational Advancement
Becoming a medical assistant means opening doors to additional educational and professional advancement opportunities, including certificate programs, specialized training, and career advancement opportunities. Whether being offered through a place of employment, university, or professional organization – certifications and training for MAs help advance the field while ensuring the MAs remain up to date in their industry skills and knowledge.
Medical Assistant Certificate
While some states or employers do not require MAs go to school to practice, many do. Programs for MAs range from apprentice programs to certificate programs or in some cases a two-year degree program. The University of Providences Medical Assistant Certificate program combines online instruction with in-person instruction, skill labs, externships for real-word experience, and national exam preparation. Graduates of our 10-month program are eligible for three leading national certifications and also receive training in the competencies of Epic systems.
Start your journey to becoming a certified medical assistant with a Medical Assistant Certificate from the University of Providence. Our dynamic program curriculum and qualified faculty will provide you with the support and quality education you need to succeed.
