Don’t be a Medical Assistant Forever: How Medical Assistants can Advance their Careers
Individuals that have gone to school as medical assistants will likely apply for entry-level jobs as a CMA (certified medical assistant). Working as a CMA is rewarding and it helps to know that you’re working in a field that you were trained for. However after a few years into their careers, a medical assistant’s duties can get mundane.
The initial years of working as a medical assistant are exciting and there is a sense of fulfillment that comes with a job in which you help patients on a daily basis but it’s natural to look for a job that provides growth opportunities.
If you don’t want to be a medical assistant forever, use these tips to advance your career:
Tell your employer
Medical assistants that want their career to move forward should ask about growth opportunities in the recruitment process itself. Let the recruiter know that you’ll be expecting some sort of growth out of the job. Not all healthcare institutions will provide equal growth opportunities. A medical assistant can advance to various positions in a healthcare institution such as:
- Lead medical assistant
- Medical office manager
- Medical records manager
- Clinical team leader
- Healthcare administration
- Clinical office manager
- Medical assistant instructor
- Transcription supervisor
- Executive medical office secretary
If the recruiter tells you that the chances of growth for a medical assistant are limited then it’s better to look for a job elsewhere.
Expand your medical knowledge
There are numerous diplomas and certifications that healthcare professionals can pursue through which they can transfer to different areas of the medical field.
Choosing to specialize in a specific field will open up many more career opportunities. Medical assistants can choose clinical practice or be a part of medical administration.
Decide on what you want to do based on the training that is required for each career, the duties that you will be expected to perform and your desired salary.
The healthcare field offers a variety of specialties and sub-specialties that provide medical assistants with endless opportunities. Your career may start off in a clinic or in outpatient care units but you can choose to specializes in other areas and redirect your career.
Clinical specialties
Here are some of the clinical areas/jobs that medical assistants can transfer to with additional certification:
- Podiatry
- EKG/Cardiology Technician
- Ophthalmology
- Chiropractic Medical Assistant
- Obstetrics/Gynecology
- Pediatric Medical Assistant
Administrative specialties
Those that don’t want to remain in the clinic can advance in administrative specialties like:
- Medical billing and coding
- Medical administrative assistant
- Medical transcriptionist
When you’ve completed your additional certifications use healthcare recruitment agencies to help you find a job.
Medical Associates provides medical staffing services for hospitals and private practices from all over the country. We’ll match your skills with relevant jobs from reputable hospitals and private practices.
Apply now and start your job search. Contact us for more information on our services.
