The demand for medical services is sure to increase as baby boomers continue to retire and suffer the inevitable inflictions of growing older. With mandatory health coverage about to take effect and these retirees being covered by Medicaid and Medicare, making that trip to the doctor will also be less expensive. The growing trend for a healthier lifestyle in today’s society also adds to the demand in the medical field in the form of preventive medicine. All these factors add up to conditions that will most likely reinforce and increase the demand for health related services. This makes a choice of an education in the medical field a wise one with plenty of room for growth.
Starting out as a medical assistant in this highly secure job market is the perfect way to gauge your future career opportunities, as a new infographic recently stated. As a medical assistant, you will have a wide choice of settings to begin your career and gain experience, while you decide on which branch of medicine you would like to specialize in. These settings include clinics, hospitals, surgery centers, outpatient and doctors offices, to name a few.
Making the choice of how to move forward in your education and career is much easier with some hands on training. This training can also be personally rewarding, by helping people; as well as financially rewarding, to help pay that tuition. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for medical assistants range from $24,000 to $33,000 per year. The salary will depend on your education level, the specific tasks you are certified in and the responsibilities you are given, as well as your experience. Geographic location also plays a large part in the monetary reward you will receive but the personal satisfaction of helping someone in need can be obtained just about anywhere.
Medical assistant programs generally vary in length from 1 to 2 years. A two-year program will earn you an associate’s degree but there are less intensive programs, which earn you a certificate of completion. The training can be obtained through community colleges or vocational schools and other medical assistant schools. Many of the courses can be taken online. The specific courses include medical terminology, clinical procedure, first aid, record keeping and CPR. See the infographic for more information and the Website for the top schools in your area.
