I want to know about medical assisting field

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2009

Best of luck to you.

I don't work with Medical Assistance, but do work with Nursing Assistants.

I'll move this post into the general nurses forum where perhaps some of the nurses there work with Medical Assistants. Good luck.

eduimed · Jan 6, 2009

hi daya,

i am sure bureau of labor statistics calculation is correct, nowadays health care industries fastest growing, we can’t never predicate how much new opening in future especially medical assistant.

lpnflorida · Jan 6, 2009

We have no Medical Assistants in our hospitals, I have seen ads for doctors offices. Personally, I think for the amount of money it takes to become a Medical Assistance it is a waste of your money. Look into becoming an Rn is the best advice.

Are you talking about Certified Nursing Assistant in which case our hospital most always has a need.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 6, 2009

dept of labor: [color=#0000cc]medical assistants

earnings
the earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. median annual earnings of wage-and-salary medical assistants were $26,290 in may 2006. the middle 50 percent earned between $21,970 and $31,210. the lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $36,840.

from my 30+ yrs in healthcare, see limited career mobility and minimal salary increase with this role. anecdotal stories at our website show members enrolling in lpn or rn program as unable to support themselves/family on this pay.

previous discussion:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/boards-need-regulate-242238.html

from: american association of medical assistants

what can medical assistants do?

ma scope of practice

Achoo!, LPN · Jan 6, 2009

Here in WI MA's are utilized in clinics. The duties can include all of the front office work, but they are usually utilized in the back office. Duties include patient check in with vital signs, assisting the doctor with exams, minor procedures, blood draws, EKG's, calling patients test results, calling in prescriptions etc. Basically they can be the clinical assistant for the doctor. MA's are usually trained in 3 areas- administrative, clinical, and lab so they are quite flexible in the clinic. Mind you this is a state certification not a license, so the scope of practice varies from state to state.

kythe, LPN · Jan 6, 2009

Most Medical Assistants work in doctor's offices or clinics. They are basically techs trained to use certain skills such as taking vital signs, injections, EKG's, phlebotomy, and general office work. The nature of the job varies greatly according to the type of office or clinic.

I became a Medical Assistant a few years ago because I needed some job skills fairly quickly and it seemed to be a fast, easy way into the medical field. It was also extremely expensive since I went to a private vocational school. I'm still paying off those student loans even though I have since moved on in my career. Medical Assisting is a popular and growing field because they are cheaper to hire, but it is basically a dead-end job. There is no room for advancement in this field.

Even if you want to work in a doctor's office, you would still be better off going for nursing. I paid about half as much to go to school for LPN as I had for MA since I went to a community college, and I'm much more qualified for a lot of jobs.

NeosynephRN · Jan 6, 2009

I totally agree with what everyone has said about MA. All I want to add is that if you are considering going to be an RN in the future then beware that most MA schools I know of, the classes are non-transferable and will not count for any other degree. Now of course I am sure this is not true for every school, but the ones that I know of. Plus the cost of the education is rarely worth what you will get paid. Wishing you the best of luck in your decision!

ybstressed, LVN · Jan 6, 2009

I wouldn't go for you MA. I would go for LVN first....its cheaper...you learn more and get to do more...and you can get your rn with transfer credits.

Batman24 · Jan 6, 2009

I would urge you to look into a community college RN program instead. It will be cheaper than MA schools which tend to run very, very high. You will also make a lot more money being a RN, have more places you can work, and much better growth potential.

want2banurse09 · Jan 6, 2009

I also agree with everyone else. I have been a Medical assistant for 7 years now and honestly there is no room for advancement. I do like what I do and have learned alot which I do think will benefit me alot when I start nursing school next year but honestly I wish I would have just went straight for my RN. I would have saved myself alot of time and money in the end...

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 6, 2009

Everyone is totally ignoring her questions and concerns. She did not mention one time that she wanted to become a nurse. Maybe thats not her goal. I know people who want to become MA's or CNA's just because they want to. They are perfectly fine with having a career as a MA. My best advice for the OP is to due some research, and go with your heart. MA in my opinion is a great career,and should not be looked down on. I don't care if you are a CNA/ PCT/ MA/ LPN/ RN etc. We are all important and in demand in the health care industry. I'm not a MA so I can't tell you info. about it, but I know people who are and its a rewarding career. Good luck, and wish me luck and nursing school.