Certified Medical Assistants In High Demand

America’s healthcare providers will hire tens of thousands of new Medical Assistants in coming years to meet a growing demand for healthcare driven largely by the needs of the aging Baby Boom generation, according to government analysts.

Medical Assistant job opportunities will grow “much faster than the average” between now and 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. And the best opportunities, analysts say, will go to job-seekers who earn a certificate, something that can be done in as little as a year.

The Bureau predicts that doctors offices, medical centers and health institutions will need about 140,000 new Medical Assistants by 2029. That’s in addition to the many thousands of positions that will open up as current workers retire. That is a job-growth rate of 19 percent, nearly five times faster than the 4-percent pace predicted for occupations overall.

So job prospects are good. And they’re best for properly trained and certified applicants.

Is Medical Assistant a good job?

Yes. It’s an important job. Millions of people depend on help from medical assistants every day.

What do they do?

Some Medical Assistants spend most of their day working directly with patients, gathering information, taking vital signs, giving injections and a range of other clinical activities. Other Medical Assistants are busy coordinating the administrative side of the office, scheduling appointments, handling billing, maintaining records, greeting patients and the like. Of course, many Medical Assistants do some of both.

Where would I work?

More than half of Medical Assistants (57%) work in individual physicians offices. The remainder are divided between hospitals, outpatient care centers and chiropractors offices.

How much would I earn?

There’s a range. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,820, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,720. Some of that is due to regional differences in the cost of living, but there are also differences based on the types of practice. Hospitals and outpatient care centers, for example, tend to pay more than the individual offices of doctors or chiropractors. On average, though, Medical Assistants earn about $34,800 a year.

Is there room for advancement?

While some individuals choose medical assisting as a lifelong career, others decide to transition into positions with even greater responsibility. It is not uncommon for medical assistants to move into the nursing field by completing higher education coursework and clinicals. A specialization in billing and coding is yet another area medical assistants find rewarding.

How do I become a Medical Assistant?

To become a medical assistant, you must complete a state approved medical assisting diploma program. Depending on the college you attend, programs can vary in length. Programs range from one year in length and result in a diploma, or two years in length and result in an associate degree.

Medical assistants who graduate from a program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) qualify to take the AAMA certification exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant.

This certification must be renewed every five years. Accreditations from CAAHEP and ABHES are the gold standard for medical assistants throughout the United States.

Can I study in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio Business College offers its 12-month program at campuses in Lorain County and Sandusky. Our instructors have many years of experience in the field, which allows our students to learn from their real-world experiences.

How does the program work?

Ohio Business College’s Medical Assisting program provides an intense, interactive education that prepares you for real-world work in a medical setting.

OBC students train in a supportive, family atmosphere where instructors are invested in their day-to-day and long-term success. That means you can begin the next steps today to complete your education on your terms. Learn more about OBC’s Medical Assisting Program and upcoming start dates.

How do I find a job?

Ohio Business College offers career placement assistance.

What if I’m stuck in another job?

Ohio Business College medical assisting diploma has day or evening classes that fit your busy schedule.

How do I get started?

Contact us today. We’re here to answer all of your questions and help you take your next professional steps.