5 Ways to Advance Your Medical Assistant Career
Medical assistants are essential members of the healthcare team. Not only are they responsible for supporting doctors, nurses and other physicians in a variety of settings, but they work with, assist and care for patients directly.
This dual-specialization makes them highly desired in the healthcare workforce, as well as means they are largely responsible for how efficiently and smoothly a facility runs. You’ve likely interacted with more than just one medical assistant in your lifetime, even if you weren’t aware.
Think of the person behind the front desk of a clinic or hospital, who welcomes you and checks you in for your appointment. Think of the person who calls you back to the exam room and takes your vital signs; the person who’s assisting the main physician with exams and procedures. The person you speak with on the phone, and who follows up with you.
These are just a few of the many duties that medical assistants are responsible for; they are deeply integrated into the daily operations (pun only sort of intended) of a facility.
Whether you are just getting started as a medical assistant and are rounding out your knowledge of the field, or have been a medical assistant for a few years and are ready to take your career to the next level, you’re exactly who we wrote this article for.
Why is medical assistance a good career?
Medical assistance is ideal for those who want to work in healthcare, help others and access multiple career advancement opportunities without having to invest an exorbitant amount of time or money into the necessary education and training.
The healthcare industry is already experiencing a shortage in workers, and the demand for healthcare professionals is expected to continue to grow with each new year. In other words, you won’t have any difficulty finding and keeping a job in this field.
Medical assistance is also a viable option for individuals who do well in versatile environments and enjoy both performing a variety of tasks. You don’t have to worry about being bored as a medical assistant; you also receive good pay and benefits to support your life outside of work.
Many healthcare professionals use an entry-level medical assistant job as the foundational career for the higher-paying and more senior role they’re pursuing in the long run.
This is actually one of the greatest things about starting your healthcare career as a medical assistant; you’ll be provided with countless career advancement opportunities.
What roles come after medical assistance?
There are many different roles you can fulfill after becoming a medical assistant, which is good news if you aren’t entirely sure how you want to further your career yet.
Some of the most common roles to consider include:
- Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
- Phlebotomist
- Medical Office Manager
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Medical Examiner
- Registered Nurse
- Physician Assistant
It’s important to note that certain roles require additional training or certification in order to access, and also that specific organizations have unique requirements or prerequisites to work with them.
How do I advance a medical assistant career?
When it comes to career advancement for medical assistants, many people are unaware of the fact that being a medical assistant is so much more than an entry-level healthcare job.
If you want a long-term career in the exact role of medical assistant, that’s a great choice; it’s a fulfilling career in and of itself, and rarely are two days alike. If you’re on the other side of the spectrum, though, and are worried about getting “stuck” in medical assistance — no need.
Becoming a medical assistant, especially a certified medical assistant (CMA), opens up a world of career advancement opportunities for you. Here are the top five ways to access those opportunities.
1. Pursue higher education
This doesn’t have to mean going to or back to college if you don’t want to; there are plenty of alternative education models available nowadays, like online courses and bootcamps. A higher education is what will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to take your career to the next level.
2. Gain additional certifications
Higher education doesn’t always provide you with a certification, and a certification program is not always equitable to higher education. Obtaining a field-relevant certification is a strong way to demonstrate both your commitment to the profession, and the level of skill and knowledge you now possess.
3. Specialize in a field
When you’re starting out as a medical assistant, you might be tempted to take the first job you can find no matter the field. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but starting in a specialization you know you want to grow in can help you build a portfolio of experience to present to future employers when you’re ready to advance your career.
4. Network with professionals
Virtual conversations with other aspiring medical assistants on forums can only get you so far; a traditional practice that holds an infinite amount of benefits and potential is that of professional networking. Attend events, conferences, seek counsel from experts, and make valuable connections; you never know where they’ll take you.
5. Take on other responsibilities
Start expanding your knowledge before you start a new job. This isn’t about allowing other people to dump their extra work on you, but allowing yourself to become curious about and engage in other responsibilities at your current job that you aren’t highly skilled in yet.
Is medical assistance right for me?
At the end of the day, only you can answer this question.
Many people may want to become medical assistants, but not all of them are suited for the job.
Medical assistants are not glorified secretaries — as some incorrectly judge — and they deal with far more than just billing and coding; they are directly involved in patients’ lives and those patients’ families’ lives. It can be emotional, intense and intimate; and not everyone does well in circumstances where those elements are heavily present.
When you’re looking into how to become a medical assistant, it’s important for you to perform an honest (but kind) assessment of your personality, skills, weaknesses, and goals. Whether or not being a medical assistant is right for you is going to come down to these personal factors.
If you’re passionate about building a career in the healthcare industry and find joy and purpose in helping people improve their lives, then this is definitely a viable career path for you.
Speak with an advisor today
Health Tech Academy offers a Medical Assistant Bootcamp that equips you with the tools, training and practical experience you need to accelerate your career — in less than six months.
Our courses are 100% online and self-paced so you can start whenever you want and learn on a schedule that’s flexible to your current lifestyle. In addition to receiving medical assistant training, you’ll be provided with personalized career coaching, have the opportunity to receive hands-on experience through an apprenticeship, and become certification eligible.
Not only will our bootcamp provide you with everything you need to launch your career as a medical assistant, but the certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) certification we offer will empower you to work in more than just this one field.
Schedule your free 1:1 career strategy session today to speak with one of our advisors and learn more about how we can help you achieve your short- and long-term career goals.
