CAREER OUTLOOK FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS
U.S. News & World Report published its 2022 “100 Best Jobs” list, which is an annual report detailing the best jobs in the country. Medical Assistant came in at #64 overall and #10 in the health care support industry. Jobs are judged on criteria including job growth, median salary, job prospects, employment rate, stress level and work-life balance.
Demand for qualified medical assistants on the rise Like many positions within the health care industry, the number of medical assistants is expected to increase steadily for the foreseeable future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 18% from 2020 to 2030. This growth can be attributed in part to the aging of the Baby Boomer generation, who comprise the largest age demographic in the country. People are living longer and staying more active, which means the need to diagnose medical conditions is increasing. A second reason for projected higher demand in health care positions is the Affordable Care Act. This legislation requires all citizens of the U.S. to carry health insurance, which is likely to increase the number of doctor visits as well. Where do medical assistants work? Most medical assistants work in physicians’ offices and other health care facilities, including outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, clinics, and for specialists such as podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners. What do medical assistants do? The duties for medical assistants may vary depending upon the health care provider for which they work. Assistants for large organizations may have specific tasks, but in small, private medical practices, assistants often have both administrative and clinical responsibilities. Some of the tasks they perform on a given day may include:- Assisting the physician with patient examinations
- Giving injections as directed by the physician
- Measuring patient’s vital signs
- Preparing blood and other specimens for laboratory tests
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Taking and recording patient history and personal information
