Within the field of healthcare, there is an occupation that seems to go unnoticed quite often. While this can easily be said about just about any industry, this one would fall apart if it weren’t for the men and women who perform this job. What is it? A medical assistant. Medical assistants are the backbone of most clinical operations. They’re almost always in high demand and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, the average starting annual salary is approximately $29,370. With on the job training and additional education, there is a potential to earn up to $40,000 per year. With the projected outlook of this profession reflecting a steady growth over the next decade, it seems that the career path leading to a Medical Assistant will lead to successful employment.
Of course, as with any career choice, you must determine whether becoming a Medical Assistant is the right fit for you.
Questions you should ask yourself:
1. Do you truly, deep down enjoy helping others?
2. Are you a great at social interactions and communications?
3. Are you known to be detail oriented and focused? Or do you miss the little things?
4. Can you sanely handle multi-tasking? Or do you get confused easily and lose track?
5. Do you believe you can honestly stomach uncomfortable medical situations you are most likely to encounter?
Take a few minutes to think about the above and take a close look at yourself. If you then determine that this is the path you want to take, the next step is to choose the proper educational source. Although there are many employers that may hire you based on experience with administrative and clinical tasks, those with certification or an associate degree often receive preference.
What should you expect on the exam? How do you prepare?
Here are a couple of practice quizzes to give you an idea of what you need to know and what to expect:
1. Study, study and study!!! Review all of your study material. Focus on your areas of difficulty to gain comfort.
2. Practice – As with any type of test, practice, practice, practice! This is especially important if you’re good at soaking in information, but find that performing well on tests is a challenge. Don’t worry, there are lots of people who simply seem to forget everything when the test timer starts.
But knowing you’ve aced half a dozen tests already may help. Many resources are available online to help you do so. You can use these exam tips from those who specialize in this field, use this practice test or this practice quiz site.
You also have the option of specializing your skills as a Medical Assistant to become more marketable. For example, Holistic medicine is a popular trend, which has made room for new clinics and facilities that specialize in alternative medicine. Acquiring knowledge in this field will enable you to market yourself as a Holistic Medical Assistant.
Now that you know what it takes to get this career started on the right path, what are you waiting for? The best time to start anything is NOW.
