The market demand for medical assistants is expected to grow at nearly triple the rate of other professions in the coming years. For anyone interested in a career as a medical assistant, there has never been a better time than now to enroll in Caris College’s 10-month Medical Assistant diploma program.
There are several reasons behind the explosive growth of this profession, which we’ll explore in this post.
What is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant is a professional who performs both clinical and administrative work in a doctor’s office, health clinic or other health care setting. Medical assistants are a necessary component of a busy medical office. On a typical day, their duties can include everything from drawing blood to helping process patients’ insurance.
Here are some of the main duties of a modern medical assistant.
Medical & Clinical Duties:
- Collecting and recording patients’ medical histories
- Preparing patients for medical exams
- Drawing blood
- Performing basic lab exams
- Assisting physicians during exams
- Teaching patients about medications or special diets
- Removing sutures (stitches) or changing bandages
Administrative Duties
- Answering phones and greeting patients
- Appointment scheduling
- Insurance paperwork for patients
- Overseeing medical records
- Organizing vital medical information, such as lab services
Between 2020 and 2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job openings for medical assistants will increase by 18 percent — or an average of about 104,400 jobs per year. That’s about three times the national average for all other professions. The median salary for medical assistants in 2020 was $35,850. With such incredible demand for new medical assistants to enter the workforce, industry analysts predict that salaries for this profession could go up considerably between now and 2030.
Increased Demand for Medical Assistants
What’s driving the incredible demand for medical assistants over the next decade or so? Several factors are contributing to this phenomenon. One is the fact that many medical assistants are retiring from the profession, while others are making career changes.
You have probably seen news stories about the large numbers of “baby boomers” who are now reaching retirement age. Retirement-aged patients require more medical care than younger workers. It’s been estimated by industry analysts that people over 65 require almost three times as much care as a working-aged individual.
Another major factor is chronic illness. Obesity rates have risen dramatically in the US, fueling the need for more medical care for patients who develop chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension as a result.
These factors have created a “perfect storm” in which health care facilities simply do not have enough highly trained and qualified medical assistants to meet demand.
The Changing Role of Medical Assistants
Medical assistants used to work on their own for a health care facility, but that role has been changing in recent years. They are no longer “solo” workers, but rather viewed as an integral part of a larger team of health care professionals.
The modern medical assistant is expected to be constantly broadening their skill set as a result. Medical assistants are expected to handle patient flow at clinics, pre-plan medical appointments and complete health screenings, while also serving as health coaches, patient care coordinators and scribes within the office.
Becoming a Medical Assistant
With additional pressure for medical assistants to become increasingly professional, it is important for people considering this as a career to receive the most up-to-date and advance training possible. That’s where Caris College comes in.
Our 10-month diploma program in Medical Assisting helps you fast-track your education. We offer both daytime and nighttime classes to fit with your schedule, and financial aid is available for qualified applicants. Your degree will be accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) once you complete the program, and our program is also approved by the VA (Veterans’ Administration). We also provide externships which count toward your eventual certification as a Medical Assistant, and lifetime job placement assistance.
Apply to Our Medical Assistant Program
After just 10 months of intensive education and hands-on clinical laboratory studies, you will be ready to embark on a career as a Medical Assistant. To get the application process started, Contact Us today!