Have you always wanted to pursue a career in the medical industry? If you love to help people feel better, then an education in Medical Assisting could be a great option for you! Maybe you’ve thought about starting the application process, but there was something holding you back. There are a lot of misconceptions about working in the Medical Assisting industry. That’s why we’re going over five common misconceptions and explaining why they’re not always true.

An MA is the Same as a CNA

Many people assume that a Medical Assistant (MA) and a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) are interchangeable. While some of their daily responsibilities can overlap, these two professions have their own unique skills and tasks. Both a CNA and MA are expected to help with patient care, but a CNA will often be expected to offer more bedside assistance like feeding. Unlike a CNA, an MA will be responsible for both clinical and administrative tasks. This means that they may have tasks like answering phones and organizing patient files in addition to caring for the patients. While many think that an MA only helps patients by taking their vital signs, an MA can also prepare and assist in clinical procedures and even draw blood. There are many people in the office who benefit from the Medical Assistant.

An MA Only Performs Administrative or Clinical Tasks

As we’ve already mentioned, a Medical Assistant performs a variety of tasks throughout the office. They’re an integral part of what makes an office run smoothly. Some might assume that they perform only administrative or clinical tasks, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, those who work with Medical Assistants know that they really should be known for their versatility and productivity.

They Only Work in Hospitals

You may have heard that working as a Medical Assistant means that your future is set in a hospital. While there are many Medical Assistants who love working in a hospital setting, this is far from the only option that could be available to you. It all depends on you and what type of working environment works best with your personality. Here are just some places you could work as a Medical Assistant:

• Hospitals
• Urgent care centers
• Surgical centers
• EKG and imaging centers
• Colleges and universities
• Variety of specialized clinics (Chiropractic, Orthopedic, OBGYN, and more)

The work setting that you decide is up to what kind of medical field you’re most interested in learning about. There are a lot of different specialized clinics that would allow you to find out more about their type of work.

It’s a Beginner Job

Since people may think that a Medical Assistant can only work at a hospital, another common misconception is that it’s just a beginner job. They may imagine that a career as a Medical Assistant is just a stepping stone to other job opportunities in the medical industry. As mentioned, Medical Assistants can work in a variety of places and this means they can spend a whole career finding the perfect area of the medical field for them. Medical Assistants also can have the opportunity to gain more skills and move up in their profession.

Medical Assistants Don’t Need Any Training

Maybe you’ve heard before that Medical Assistants don’t need any formal education or that they receive enough training on the job. Although many states don’t require any post-secondary education, a lot of jobs in this field will care if you have a background medical knowledge before you walk into a position so you can be up and running supporting the practice as soon as possible.

Ready to Get Started?

Now that we’ve cleared out some of the common misconceptions, it’s time to take the next step and start the application process! In our Medical Assisting program, you can learn about human biological systems, how to communicate with patients and staff, phlebotomy, and so much more! Contact us and we’d love to help you begin your medical education journey.