Benefits and Challenges of Being a Medical Assistant

In today’s uncertain time, it is as important as ever to acquire as much education and training as possible to further you career opportunities.

One area of the economy where demand for qualified employees is strong is within the healthcare / medical field. If this is a job market you would like to enter, you should strongly consider completing a Medical Assistant Program, to ensure you are educated and trained in the proper methodologies of a professional medical assistant. It can be a very rewarding career and like many other jobs has its benefits and challenges.

The challenges of the job are the following:

-    When working in the medical field you will be counted on to assist patients that are concerned for their well-being. It is important to exude a positive outlook and become a calming force in the midst of potentially struggling times. Medical assistants should be able to handle all types of patient behaviors and still remain professional when doing their work.

-    In addition, medical assistants need to have a well-rounded education in multiple disciplines within the medical field. They may be counted on to handle billing and bookkeeping, electronic charting, Live Electronic Health Records/EHR, patient data collection, and scheduling appointments along with dealing directly with patients.

If you attend an accredited university or college, for example, Western Technical College, your training will prepare you for all the demands of the job.

There are benefits as well:

-    When you are a medical assistant, you may have the opportunity and desire to expand your knowledge base by completing a Physical Therapist Assistant Program, which can increase your appeal to any healthcare office or facility looking for qualified employees.

-    Upon graduating from a certified training program you have an opportunity to work in a wide array of healthcare positions such as Medical/Clinical Assistant, Front & Back Office Assistant, Phlebotomist, Medical Office Secretary, Receptionist, Nursing Assistant, Lab Assistant, EKG Technician, and or Hemodialysis Technician.

These are just a few of the benefits and challenges of a medical assistant career. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, be sure to complete your due diligence on the position, understanding the requirements of the work and the education and training needed to be successful in the workforce.