Are Medical Assistants being phased out/ replaced??

okiesue · Jun 24, 2012

I heard that MA's would replace LPN's before long...so who knows LOL

caliotter3 · Jun 24, 2012

No, if anything it is the opposite. Most office positions have replaced licensed nurses with MAs over the years. However, it is hard to get these types of jobs because for the most part they want experienced people not those who just graduated from an MA course (same as with nurses).

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2012

MAs are not being phased out anytime soon because they are 'cost-effective' due to their relatively low rates of pay.

Apenland · Jun 25, 2012

I have seen a number of job post's for M.A's with 1-2+ years experience being a must. I know it is going to be like that with almost any career field I may choose to go in, so im still glad I choose to go down the M.A path =) I start school this sept. at an adult school so the cost is not as high in price as other schools ( very thankful I found it ) Does anyone have any experiences they can share about how they landed a job after graduating with lil-none experience?? I mean us M.A's would have to start somewere to gain the experience.. any suggestions on what to do to get started or know of any places that accepts new grads?? Any links or info would be appreciated but if not thank you for all the previous feedback!

LThrasher · Jun 27, 2012

I have been a CMA for seven years and have always been able to find a job. Make sure the program you chose allows you to sit for the certification exam preferably AAMA. Being nationally certified or registered DOES make a difference. When I interviewed for my first job I made sure to highlight my willingness to learn and how excited I was to be working in medicine. Hope this helps, Good Luck!

Sarahejones91 · Jun 28, 2012

I live in Georgia and I have also heard that LPNs are going to eventually be phased out. I was going to go to school to become one when I got done with the CNA program, but when I heard that I reconsidered. I haven't heard anything about MAs though.

CMAtoRN · Jun 29, 2012

Hello,

I am a CMA and I live in Northern California. As far as I know, no MAs are not being phased out..if anything they are more in demand, that is why all the schools are making sure they have a MA program for people to join. I have noticed a lot of schools that did not teach Medical Assisting before now do. I too, have noticed that a lot of places want 1-2 years experience. I just say it depends on your area. For example, up here in San Francisco there is a ton of jobs for MAs so you will eventually find something, and in San Francisco the minimum wage just got changed to 10 dollars and some change so they start MAs at atleast 15 and up an hour. The only reason why I personally want to go into Nursing is because I have always wanted to be a Nurse. It is my dream, I get all warm and fuzzy inside talking about it lol But yeah I took MA just to get my feet wet. But Good Luck to you! I'm pretty sure you will do fine in whatever you do!

Apenland · Jun 29, 2012

Agreed! Love the field and I know ill travel down many different roads once im in amd start gaining experiences. Always good to know things are going well for M.A's in san fran. It would be an option once im finished with school. So thank you for the feedback :)

nguyency77, CNA · Jul 3, 2012

I live in Georgia and I have also heard that LPNs are going to eventually be phased out. I was going to go to school to become one when I got done with the CNA program, but when I heard that I reconsidered. I haven't heard anything about MAs though.

LPN is cheaper to hire than an RN. I don't think they're going anywhere-- at least not in long-term care facilities.

Don't know about MAs. :)

mintygirl · Jul 12, 2012

M.A's are here to stick around, I think its the economy that is affecting the job market. You have a lot of LPN's that are probably applying for clinics where as they usually would have been piced up by a LTC/Hospital. With Hospitals always down-sizing and finding ways to cut cost (i.e. being understaffed... -.-) then that pushes those out of their field and into that.

Except M.A's are cheaper to use and there will always be a need for them (as there will always be sick people, always be a need for doctors, doctors have a need for M.A...) etc. The list goes on. I wouldn't worry, for the longest time they tried to get rid of CNA's by using RN's who are clear for total patient care, except Rn's don't want to do that kind of work and usually refuse to.

Apenland · Jul 15, 2012

I have orientation on Tuesday for my M.A program. I cant wait =)