Pima Medical Institute-Tucson issued the following announcement on Oct. 21
Pima Medical Institute has been training medical career professionals since 1972, providing decades of education and support to those entering the healthcare industry as medical assistants.
Some people may have a misconception of exactly what a medical assistant does and just how strong the job growth is for this career.
Here are five facts you should know as you decide whether or not you’d like to enter into the medical assistant field.
Job Demand is On the Rise
The career outlook for medical assistants is very promising. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As a result, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.*
What Medical Assistants Do
Medical assisting, like all work in the healthcare field, can change lives. It’s a profession that requires dedication and empathy, making it a meaningful career for almost anyone who chooses it.
Medical assistants work side-by-side with doctors, nurses and the healthcare team and perform an array of clinical and administrative responsibilities. The duties will vary depending on where you’re based and may include:
- Interviewing patients to gather medical information, as well as measuring their vital signs
- Preparing and administering medications and/or treatments as directed by a doctor
- Cleaning and sterilizing medical equipment prior to and after use
- Explaining treatment procedures to patients
- Performing general office duties such as scheduling appointments and filling out insurance forms
A great fact about medical assisting is its variety. Medical assistants work with all types of doctors in every kind of medical practice like pediatrics, orthopedics, medical weight loss or plastic surgery. The most common areas of employment are:
- Doctors’ offices
- Outpatient care centers
- Specialty offices
It’s uncommon for your first medical assistant job to be your last. While some medical assistants stay with the same doctor and practice until they retire, most branch out to experience work in larger, smaller, or specialty offices. Some medical assistants further their education and become nurses, radiologists, physician assistants, medical assistant instructors or grow into a healthcare management role. The career options are limitless.
Medical Assistants Are Constantly Learning
After becoming certified, medical assistants can be trained new duties from their physician or practice. Beyond vitals and patient preparation, medical assistants may collect blood, run ECGs, or even take out stitches, depending on the practice. Medical assisting is always changing as the healthcare field advances with new innovations arising frequently. Meaning, you’ll always be learning something new.
Pima Medical Institute offers certificate, associate and online bachelor’s degree programs—all in the healthcare field. Programs focus on medical, dental and veterinary careers. For more information about Pima Medical and its programs, visit pmi.edu.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm (visited September 01, 2020).
Original source can be found here.
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