You’ll Get Benefits: Another benefit of being a Medical Assistant are the benefits –as in health insurance and paid time off. If you’re a full-time Medical Assistant, you’ll almost always receive some kind of benefits from your employer. Every job has its challenges, and this one is no exception.
What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?
Medical assistants enjoy many benefits, including the quick path to graduation, the ability to work in a team, the growth of their career, and the comfort of comforting patients. It is possible for the medical assistant to build a career very quickly.
What jobs can you get with a medical assistant?
Specific Career Options and Duties
- Medical Coder
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Physicians' Office Assistant
- Health Information Administrator
- Records Clerk
- Admissions Clerk
- Billing and Insurance Specialist
What to expect as a medical assistant?
- Preparing patients for examination
- Assisting during the examination
- Vaccine administration
- Occupation Health testing including hearing, vision testing, lift testing, Breath Alcohol and Urine Drug testing, pulmonary function testing and Tuberculosis screening
- Ear irrigation
- Application of knee, wrist, ankle splints, sling fitting, crutch fitting
How to get paid more as a medical assistant?
Most common benefits for Medical Assistants
- Food provided
- Professional development assistance
- Parental leave
- Relocation assistance
- Disability insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
- 401 (k) matching
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?
There are many benefits that a medical assistant enjoys including a quick road to graduation, working in a team, growing into a career, satisfaction comforting patients, and working in a specialized role. The medical assistant can start building their career very quickly!
What are the disadvantages of being a medical assistant?
TOP CONS OF BEING A MEDICAL ASSISTANTYou could end up working all hours of the day. ... The salary is not that attractive. ... Not any program will do. ... Are online classes the best option? ... Education is not free. ... Debt! ... If you want to advance your degree, your credits will not all transfer well. ... Exposure to pathogens.More items...
Do medical assistants have a good work life balance?
With a new career as a medical assistant, you're already halfway there to enjoying a good work-life balance. This is the kind of career that promotes balance because you won't have to do any work outside of work hours. You will also find that work schedules are reasonable and flexible.
What is the benefit of becoming a CMA or an RMA?
Earning either a CMA or RMA credential may help you gain medical assistant skills. Credentials are important in healthcare. They often signify a professional's level of education and may dictate the duties they can take on.
Is medical assistant worth it?
Being in a high-demand industry has advantages: It's a very stable career, and the pay trends high. The average wage for a medical assistant is currently $32,946, and ranges between $30,377 and $35,570.
What is the hardest thing about being a medical assistant?
The Biggest Challenges of Being a Medical Assistant Outside of the day-to-day responsibilities, the most difficult parts of being a medical assistant are related to the unexpected clinical and administrative “emergencies” that can arise during a shift.
What is the hourly wage for a medical assistant?
14.71 USD (2015)Medical assistant / Median pay (hourly)
Are medical assistants happy?
Medical assistants are about average in terms of happiness. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, medical assistants rate their career happiness 3.2 out of 5 stars which puts them in the top 50% of careers.
Is being a medical office assistant hard?
At the same time, these careers are also very demanding: they require years of education, practical experience and hard work. While most people don't mind the hard work, many don't have the opportunity to spend years in school.
Is RMA higher than CMA?
The Medical Assistant may choose to be registered (R.M.A) or certified (CMA). These designations merely depend on the organization to which she or he belongs. There is no qualitative difference between the two credentials simply because one uses the "Registered" and the other uses the "Certified" title.
What is the highest level of medical assistant?
The Top Medical Assistant CertificationsThe Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)The National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)Specialty Certifications.
Which is better CMA or CCMA?
For students who want to perform both clinical and administrative skills, the CMA certification could better prepare them for a well-rounded career. For students interested in focusing specifically on clinical procedures, the CCMA certification is the better option.
What do medical assistants do?
As a Medical Assistant, you’ll have a variety of responsibilities, handling both clinical and administrative duties. You’ll schedule appointments, set up exam rooms, ...
Why are medical assistants in high demand?
Did you know that Medical Assistants are in high demand right now? As the Baby Boomer generation ages, its members will need more care from doctors. In turn, doctors will need more medical assistants to help them, which could lead to more job opportunities for you. That demand and need is one important benefit of being a Medical Assistant. Here are a few more:
What are the challenges of being a medical assistant?
Challenges of Being a Medical Assistant 1 Multitasking: You may be called on to handle a lot of different duties at one time, and the pace will quicken as more and more patients arrive. Add emergency cases in the mix, and it’s easy to see why patience and calmness are important traits Medical Assistants need. Do you have what it takes to be a Medical Assistant? Remember to keep an even work-life balance, and to engage in activities outside of work that will help you destress. 2 Nervous and Scared Patients: Some patients will be a breeze to work with, and others...not so much. When patients don’t feel well or are nervous, they may take their frustrations out on people trying to help them. Don’t let it get to you and don’t take it personally. Treat everyone professionally and with positivity and you might just rub off on them! 3 Rules and Regulations: There are a lot of rules and guidelines to follow, including HIPAA policies. There are also Medical Assistant rules on what you can and can’t do, such as treat and diagnose patients and give medical advice. You’ll need to be careful to not cross the line so you don’t put patients—or your job—in jeopardy.
Do medical assistants work on weekends?
That’s why if you’re a full-time Medical Assistant, you’re more likely to have a typical 8:00 to 5:00 schedule. Yes, you may need to work evenings or weekends every once and awhile, but your schedule is likely to be consistent. You’ll Get Benefits: Another benefit of being a Medical Assistant are the benefits –as in health insurance ...
Why do medical assistants make more money?
Medical assistants in some states tend to make more than others due to the higher cost of health care in certain areas. As such, top paying states for medical assistants are:
Where do medical assistants work?
Most medical assistants are employed in the offices of physician or other health care practitioners, outpatient care centers or general medical and surgical hospitals. Ironically, professionals who work in one of these industries tend to earn somewhere close to the median annual wage rather than above or below it.
What are the different types of medical assistants?
Medical assistants may work in a variety of industries, some of which pay more money than others. A few of the higher-paying industries for medical assistants are: 1 Scientific research and development services, which offers an average of $17.63 per hour 2 Personal care services, where medical assistants make $17.32 per hour on average 3 Insurance carriers, which offer an average of $16.87 per hour to medical assistants 4 Colleges, universities and professional schools, an industry where medical assistants average $16.69 per hour 5 Dental offices, locations where medical assistants can expect an average of $16.62 per hour
How much does a medical assistant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for medical assistants is $14.41, and can range from between $10.36 and $20.56 per hour.
Is medical assistant in high demand?
After learning that medical assistants are in high demand, most people then become interested in salary information . The benefits and salary of a medical assistant can vary a great deal depending on the location in which you work and a variety of other factors.
Why are medical assistants important?
Medical Assistants are special because they work in so many aspects of healthcare and interact with patients and employees at every level. This makes them essential healthcare workers. Here are some more reasons Medical ...
What are the responsibilities of a medical assistant?
Medical Assistants have a wide variety of responsibilities every day. They check patients in, collect samples, organize and document charts, and assist doctors. They can even earn certifications in CPR or phlebotomy, giving them even more opportunities.
What does a medial assistant do?
Since they understand every aspect, Medial Assistants can help explain to patients why certain tests or procedures are necessary, they can advocate for the patients with a physician, and they understand the complicated aspects of insurance.
What does MA mean in healthcare?
This means they are the first line of defense: if patients have a good initial experience, they are more likely to continue prioritizing their health.
Pros of Being a Medical Assistant
One of the most exciting things about studying to be a medical assistant is the relatively short period it takes between studying and landing your first job.
Cons of Being a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants can regularly be on their feet between 8 to 12 hours, depending on the length of the shift.
Finding a Medical Assisting Job With No Experience
According to the current laws, in the majority of states, an MA is not obliged to have finished a medical…
Patient Care Technician Career Specialty
People tend to feel nervous and anxious when visiting a doctor, especially in an emergency situation, and that is the…
Four Types of Medical Assistant Careers
It is true that there are many career paths for medical assistant schools, and we know that choosing the right…
Medical Assistant Job Description and Requirements
So that the medical office functions perfectly and efficiently, every employee has to know his/her duties and perform them well….
What is the hardest thing about being a medical assistant?
The hardest thing about being a medical assistant is when unexpected clinical and administrative emergencies arise during a shift.
Is being a medical assistant stressful?
Medical assistants may experience stress at the start of their career while becoming acclimated to the job. Experienced medical assistants may develop stress with changes to their clinical practice or from trying to balance work-life.
What is the most important role of a medical assistant?
One of the most important roles of a medical assistant is keeping the patient's records current. These records include patient medical records, written accounts from physicians or nurses based on exams and also any lab tests.
What is the difference between working in medical billing and coding and being a medical assistant?
Medical billing and coding is very different from medical assisting. While medical assistants perform tasks in a healthcare environment, medical billing and coding specialists are responsible for coding patient medical records, ensuring accuracy of information etc.
What kind of benefits do medical assistants get?
A full-time medical assistant is offered various benefit packages, including health care, vacation and holiday pay, sick leave, etc. They also have many career opportunities to boost their earning potential.
Do medical assistants work holidays?
Yes, medical assistants sometimes will have to work holidays. It will depend on their workload, their working shifts and the terms and conditions of the employer. They may also have to work evenings and weekends to cover shifts in medical facilities that are always open.
Can a medical assistant work in any state?
Yes, a medical assistant can work in any state. They perform a mixture of clinical and clerical duties which are common in all states.
What is a medical assistant?
In a nutshell, a medical assistant is the support staff for a healthcare setting that essentially keeps many of the day-to-day functions going.
What is the risk of being a medical assistant?
Some of these people may have a contagious illness that you will be in contact with. You are also at risk of other pathogens that can be found in the bodily fluids of a patient. Remember, one of your clinical tasks will be drawing blood on patients; this will put you at risk.
What happens if you draw blood as a medical assistant?
As one of your duties as a medical assistant, you will be drawing blood from patients from time to time. We all know accidents can and do happen. Every time you draw blood, you are setting yourself up for a needlestick injury to occur. If this unfortunate event does happen, let's just hope that it is a clean needle and not one that was just used on a patient. If it happens to be a dirty needle, this can open up a whole other can of worms. A needlestick injury is one of the top disadvantages of being a medical assistant because this can really cause some upset in your world.
What happens if you accidentally mistakenly use a medical assistant?
Even an accidental error can wreak destruction on your career and open you to legal risks. This type of responsibility and risk may not be worth it for some people and may sway you when weighing the pros and cons of being a medical assistant.
What happens when you work in healthcare?
As somebody who works in the healthcare environment, you will be faced with death and dying regularly. Sometimes you will have patients that will clearly not recover from whatever ailments are plaguing them. This may take an emotional toll on you eventually leading to sadness.
Is a medical assistant certification required?
Certification in your field is a great way to show that you are an expert at what you do. Certification as a medical assistant is not required in order to obtain a job. Still, it will definitely make you stand out and be more appealing to employers.
Do medical assistants get health insurance?
When you have a career such as a medical assistant, you will also receive health benefits from your employer if you meet the minimum working hours for the week. This means you, your significant other, and your dependents can also be covered under this insurance plan. This can save you boatloads of money on medical bills should you or anyone in your family need medical care.
