Pros and Cons: The main pros of being a medical assistant are that the job is interesting, varied, and provides opportunities to work with patients. The main con is that the work can be physically demanding.
As the job outlook for medical assistants is projected to grow by 18 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are many pros to pursuing this career.
Medical assistants enjoy a sense of job security and typically have a good working environment. They also earn a relatively good salary for an entry-level position.
Medical assistants may experience some physical demands as they are often on their feet for long periods of time and may need to lift and move patients.
They may also be required to work occasional overtime or weekends.
Who is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who assists physicians and other health professionals in providing medical care to patients.
They may perform clinical and clerical duties, such as taking patient histories and recording vital signs.
Duties and Responsibilities
| 1. Perform clinical and clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments and billing insurance companies |
| 2. Assist in the administration of medication and treatments |
| 3. Perform basic laboratory tests |
| 4. Record patient vital signs and medical histories |
| 5. Assist physicians during examinations and treatments |
| 6. educate patients about preventive healthcare measures |
| 7. Refer patients to specialists as needed |
| 8. Order medical supplies and equipment |
| 9. Maintain patient records |
These are just a few of the many duties and responsibilities that medical assistants may be responsible for.
The role played by medical assistants varies depending on the size and type of healthcare facility they work in.
However, most medical assistants have a wide range of clinical and clerical duties.
Pros and Cons
One of the biggest advantages of being a medical assistant is that you can get your foot in the door of the medical field.
This is a great opportunity to learn about the industry and potentially move up within it.
On the downside, medical assistants are often required to do a lot of the grunt work in hospitals and clinics, such as cleaning and organizing.
This can be repetitive and tedious.
What are the pros of being a medical assistant?
The main advantages of being a medical assistant include –
| PROS |
| Gaining Experience in the Medical Field |
| Varied Job Duties |
| Potential for Advancement |
| Good Salary |
| Good Work-life Balance |
| Job Outlook is Good |
| Opportunity to Work with Patients |
Gaining Experience in the Medical Field
One of the major advantages of being a medical assistant is that you gain experience in the medical field.
This can give you an edge when looking for other jobs in the medical industry.
It helps you to understand the workings of the medical field and how different roles work together to provide care for patients.
Varied Job Duties
Another benefit of being a medical assistant is that you have varied job duties. This means that you are not stuck doing the same thing day in and day out.
You may have some days where you are doing administrative work and other days where you are working with patients.
This variety can help keep you interested in your job and prevent burnout.
Potential for Advancement
Medical assistants have the potential to advance in their careers.
There are many medical assistant jobs that can lead to other positions in the medical field.
This means that you can move up the career ladder if you are willing to put in the work.
Good Salary
Medical assistants typically have a good salary.
This can be helpful if you are trying to support yourself or your family.
The average hourly wage of a medical assistant in the United States is $15.98 which translates to an annual average salary of $35,589.
This salary can vary depending on your experience and location. Entry-level medical assistants may earn less, while those with more experience and training may earn more.
If you are just starting out as a medical assistant, you can expect an annual wage of around $25,000 whereas highly-experienced medical assistants make around $51,000 yearly.
Good Work-life Balance
Medical assistants often have a good work-life balance. This is because their hours are typically regular and they do not usually work weekends or overnight shifts.
This can be beneficial if you are trying to balance work with other responsibilities such as raising a family.
However, some medical assistant jobs may require working weekends or overtime hours.
This can become stressful if you are not able to balance your work and personal life.
Job Outlook is Good
The job outlook for medical assistants is good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of medical assistant jobs will grow by 18% from 2020 to 2030.
This is much faster than the average for all occupations. This means that there will be many job openings for medical assistants in the coming years.
So, if you are looking for a job in the medical field, becoming a medical assistant may be a good option.
Opportunity to Work with Patients
One of the best things about being a medical assistant is that you get to work with patients.
This can be rewarding because you are able to help sick people feel better and sometimes even save lives.
It can also be interesting to learn about different medical conditions and how to treat them.
What are the cons of being a medical assistant?
The main disadvantages of being a medical assistant include –
| CONS |
| Low Income Potential |
| Limited Job Opportunities |
| Physically Demanding Work |
| Limited Career Growth Potential |
| Education and Training Requirements |
Low Income Potential
One of the major negatives of being a medical assistant is the relatively low-income potential.
According to the BLS, in the USA, medical assistants earned a mean annual wage of $38,190 in 2021.
This is significantly lower than many other healthcare positions and may not be enough to cover living expenses in some areas.
For example, physician assistants, who are often responsible for many of the same tasks as medical assistants, earned a mean annual wage of $119,460 in 2021.
This clearly shows the disadvantage of being a medical assistant in terms of income potential.
Limited Job Opportunities
Another downside of being a medical assistant is the limited job opportunities available.
Medical assistants are often limited to positions in clinics and doctor’s offices, whereas other healthcare jobs may offer opportunities in a wider range of settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
This can make it difficult for medical assistants to find a job that matches their skills and interests.
Physically Demanding Work
Medical assistants are often required to perform physically demanding tasks, such as lifting patients or moving medical equipment.
This can be strenuous and tiring and may lead to injuries if not done properly.
Limited Career Growth Potential
Medical assistants have limited career growth potential and are typically unable to advance beyond the position of a medical assistant.
This means that they may not be able to earn higher salaries or gain further job responsibilities.
Advanced skills such as phlebotomy or EKG technician may be available to medical assistants, but these skills are typically not enough to lead to career advancement.
You will need to look elsewhere if you want to move up the career ladder.
Education and Training Requirements
Medical assistants are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent, but may also need to complete a formal training program.
This can be expensive and time-consuming, and may not be suitable for everyone.
Additionally, many medical assistant jobs require certification from professional organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants.
This can be costly and difficult to obtain, and may not be necessary for all medical assistant jobs.
The requirements are not so high for this profession which can be an advantage but may also be a disadvantage because people get stuck in this career with no room for advancement.
So, it’s better to learn new skills and get certifications and required schooling for a more lucrative career.