Very rarely do young adults get their career choice right on the first attempt. It’s common for people in their mid-20s to feel unsatisfied with their profession, making them contemplate a change. Those wishing to pursue a more meaningful career should consider the role of medical assistant.
Prism Career Institute offers an avenue for those interested in a career in medical assisting with a medical assistant training program taught at our campuses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Here, we detail what this role has to offer and how you can begin your pursuit of a more rewarding profession.
What Is a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants are essential members of a healthcare team. Their responsibilities involve acting as liaisons between patients and the physician or medical staff, performing both administrative tasks and patient care duties.
Medical assistants can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, private medical offices, school health centers, laboratories, and more. The roles and duties of medical assistants will vary depending on the type of setting they work in. Generally, they involve the following:
Clinical Responsibilities
- Discuss with patients their current symptoms and medical history
- Record vital signs
- Prepare patients for exams administered by the physician
- Inform patients of procedures and treatments
- Make sure examination rooms are prepared before patient visits and cleaned afterward
- Assist physicians with their examinations or medical procedures
- Provide information to patients regarding prescribed diets or medications
- Collect laboratory samples and prepare them for analysis
- Follow up with patients after office visits or treatments
Administrative Responsibilities
- Greet patients as they come in and notify the physician of their arrival
- Update patients’ personal and medical information
- Maintain correspondence with patients by answering phone calls and addressing their questions or concerns
- Manage medical coding and billing
- Schedule follow-up appointments according to the doctor’s orders
- Enter accurate data into the computer system
Reasons to Consider Medical Assistant Training
Making the career switch to medical assisting can provide individuals with several desirable advantages. Reasons to consider pursuing a career as a medical assistant include:
Positive Job Outlook
The healthcare industry is expanding, increasing the demand for roles across the field. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for medical assistants is highly favorable. Data suggests a much faster-than-average growth rate of 14 percent for medical assistant employment through 2032. This positive job outlook makes medical assisting extremely attractive to individuals looking to make a switch in their careers.
Favorable Career Paths
One of the biggest allures of breaking into the medical field is the various career paths at your disposal. As a medical assistant, you can gain the skills, education, and on-the-job experience needed and apply them to a variety of roles in the healthcare industry. Beginning your career as a medical assistant can go a long way toward more advanced healthcare careers.
Job Mobility
Medical assistants are employed in a variety of medical settings and are in high demand. That provides them with the luxury of superior job mobility. As a medical assistant, you will have the flexibility to find a workplace setting that best suits you.
Additionally, medical assistants can work in a variety of specialties. That allows aspiring medical assistants to find a practice that aligns with their passions and skill sets.
Begin Your Pursuit of a Meaningful Career
If you’re unhappy with your career choice and are looking to make a change, consider enrolling in the medical assistant training program at Prism Career Institute. Offered at our locations in Philadelphia, PA, Cherry Hill, NJ, and West Atlantic City, NJ, our medical assistant program equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a meaningful career in a short period.
To better accommodate our students, we offer our medical assistant program during the day and at night. That makes it great for people who already have jobs or family obligations but are interested in switching careers. Eligible students seeking assistance with school finances can take advantage of our financial aid opportunities.
To learn more about what it means to be a medical assistant and how we can help you in your pursuit, contact us or apply online today.