Statistics show that over 70 percent of all working medical assistants are employed in physician’s private offices, and group practices. Another large group of medical assistants work for ophthalmologists, podiatrists, and chiropractors, and other healthcare providers. Healthcare is the fastest-growing U.S. service industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, so if you’re interested in getting your feet wet in the medical field, this may be a career path to consider.
A medical assistant that is certified, and has worked for several years in all areas of the field may qualify for a position as medical assisting instructor at a vocational training institute. Other medical assistant professionals, including military medics may continue their own education to achieve an Associate’s Degree in medical assisting, or go on to become nurses. Yet, others may branch out into social and creative areas to apply their talents as medical illustrators, writers, advisors, translators, or interpreters.
As with all medical related professions, a medical assistant also faces health related dangers in their profession. Due to increases in the number of contagious diseases as well as other illnesses that one is exposed to, medical assistants need to monitor their own health closely. Exposure to all contagious diseases is possible and in some areas highly probable. In addition, medical assistants may be required to do much lifting and bending while assisting a patient and or a physician. For this reason, it is vital that medical assistants maintain their physical fitness and health.
Due to the various types of training that medical assistants have as well as additional on the job training they receive, there are other positions that medical assistants can enjoy. Medical transcription is one as well as medical office manager, and administrative medical assistant. Moving to other related fields such as nursing will require additional training and certification, but as a medical assistant you will learn many of the skills necessary to be able to move into nursing seamlessly. Medical assistants that have both medical and clerical skills are in high demand and have the best of the job prospects available today. As time moves forward, this trend is expected to continue.
It is through continuing education and experience that the medical assistant learns about different types of careers in the allied health and medical field. The possibility of transitioning, or cross training into a new position is just one of the many career decisions that an experienced medical assistant will eventually have to face. Of course, any career change almost always comes with new and unexpected challenges and set of responsibilities, but at the same time moving on and upwards also ties in with more exciting possibilities, increased benefits, and often more takes home pay.