Future Medical Assistant! Any advice

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Hello everyone I have decided to go ahead and do medical assistant program at a school where financial aid covers everything! I am beyond excited to start and I know it is not much but in the future I do want to pursue onto bigger things in the medical field. So does anyone have any advice for the what I having should expect in the program, what careers I should look into, what other careers will MA help me on, and if phlebotomy is a good certificate to also have after becoming a medical assistant?

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There is another board that is for Medical Assistants.... you might get a response over there.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, eflores06

See CNA/MA - Nursing / Medical Assistant

Do you have any aspirations to become a LPN or RN? If yes, then consider that directly as there are no MA to LPN/RN bridges as far as I know.

Thank you.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the CNA/MA - Nursing / Medical Assistant forum

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Hello everyone I have decided to go ahead and do medical assistant program at a school where financial aid covers everything! I am beyond excited to start and I know it is not much but in the future I do want to pursue onto bigger things in the medical field. So does anyone have any advice for the what I having should expect in the program, what careers I should look into, what other careers will MA help me on, and if phlebotomy is a good certificate to also have after becoming a medical assistant?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Hello everyone I have decided to go ahead and do medical assistant program at a school where financial aid covers everything! I am beyond excited to start and I know it is not much but in the future I do want to pursue onto bigger things in the medical field. So does anyone have any advice for the what I having should expect in the program, what careers I should look into, what other careers will MA help me on, and if phlebotomy is a good certificate to also have after becoming a medical assistant?
I was never able to find employment after having received training as a medical assistant. It was the biggest waste of time, money and effort for me.
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I became a MA in 2009 and was able to find employment even after stopping work for 2.5 years (school). You have to wow your interviews be confident and show that you are teachable and humble. Best of luck from GA

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Also it is a good way to get your foot in the door. I worked for the same hospital when I came back to work and I have met many doctors and many healthcare workers that would be more than happy to write recommendation letters plus the experience helps a lot too. I got very comfortable with needles because of this and now have a lot of administrative experience from it. I work in Employee's health at a hospital and previously worked for one of the hospital's physician's office and before that a program from the hospital and before that my first job was at an urgent care/internal medicine clinic. Like I said good experience, finding jobs is competitive, but it's up to you to stand out.

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Doctor's offices and clinics are the only entities as far as I know who hire MAs. I have a family member (in AL) that went through an MA program but has never landed a job in the field after countless interviews for 3 years and works in retail. She's going back to become a LPN. I thought of going that route and saw how rough she had it and decided go straight to nursing instead after I had gotten my Medical Billing and Coding Diploma.

If anything, becoming a CNA will benefit your more than being a MA.

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I went through an MA program a few years ago. Do you eventually want to be a nurse? If so...be an LPN. I start LPN school next month and I wish I would have done that first. Where I live the MA program and LPN program both take 10 months and cost the same.

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I am a CMA and have been since 2008, I love my job but if you plan on becoming a nurse someday i would just skip the MA and go straight for the RN. I regret that i didnt. I was told that MA was very similar to nursing and then after half way through the 2 year program i was told that i could not work in hospitals, which is my goal. I am starting the RN program this fall. Best of luck to you in whatever you choose!

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Eflores, how is it going so far? Do you have to do an externship/internship for your certificate/degree? If so, my best advice is to bust your butt during your internship, and IMPRESS them! If you work hard and show that you are a worthy candidate, they just might offer you a full time job! This is what happened to me. I landed my internship at an asthma and allergy practice. I worked side-by-side with an LPN and RN. They wanted to offer me a full time job right away, but did not have any openings. About a month later they had to let the LPN go, and the RN immediately called me in as a replacement. I loved working in the office and stayed for about 2 years. I learned so much and love my job as a medical assistant.

Here is my second piece of advice: If you want to get a well-balanced experience, you may want to consider family practice. You learn SO much in a specialty office, but what you learn is SPECIFIC to that specialty. I feel super competent with allergies, asthma, COPD, sinus infections, hives, eczema, etc. BUT, that is what my knowledge is mainly limited to. Now, to expand my knowledge/experience, I am leaving the asthma and allergy practice, and have accepted a position with an urgent care office. My current office is sad to see me go, and vice versa, but I definitely want to gain more experience before I get into nursing school.

I hope your MA program is awesome! Good luck with your future in health care!!

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