Looking for a career in healthcare that is always in demand? Every year, many people choose to pursue working as a medical assistant. There are several reasons why people choose this career path. Oftentimes, it’s a combination of several reasons that lead people to become a medical assistant. There are many positive aspects to this line of work, one which allows you to earn a living and make a difference in the lives of other people.
What is a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants do a range of clinical and administrative tasks in a medical office or healthcare facility. They work under the supervision of a licensed physician and provide support to the rest of the medical team. Though they are not allowed to practice medicine like a physician or nurse practitioner, they do a wide range of tasks that help the medical team work cohesively, allowing the doctor to give the highest quality care to their patients.
Some of the things a medical assistant does each week:
- Schedule patient follow-up appointments, check in patients
- Manage and update patient medical records
- Take vital signs and prepare patient for examination
- Restock and organize exam rooms
- Assist physician with non-invasive procedures
- Collecting patient samples for diagnostic testing
- Draw blood for testing, depending on state, under doctor’s supervision or with a CPT-1 License
- Change wound dressings, remove sutures or staples
- Communicate instructions from physician to patient
Here are the leading reasons people become medical assistants:
1. Job Outlook is Strong
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for medical assistants will grow about 15% between 2023 and 2033[1], which is much faster than normal. Although medical assistants nationwide earned a median salary of $44,200 in May of 2024, in California in May 2024, medical assistants earned a mean annual salary of $52,770 and a mean hourly wage of $25.37.,
2. You Can Enter the Job Market Quickly
One of the biggest advantages of becoming a medical assistant is it’s a relatively short time from beginning training to certification to getting your first job. Especially compared to nursing school or medical school, becoming a medical assistant allows you to enter the job market rather quickly. Most programs nationwide range from six to twelve months. The Medical Assisting program at Campus Sacramento is 26 to 36 weeks long, depending on whether you take day or night classes.
3. Certification is Desirable
In California, certification is not required for medical assistants to work under a physician, but it certainly is preferred. For one, earning certification as a medical assistant shows you’ve been through training, and you have the knowledge you need to work in a medical office. Secondly, physicians and hospitals carry malpractice insurance, and oftentimes the insurance companies require people working under the physician, like medical assistants to be certified to validate the policy. Getting certified is a way to distinguish yourself from other candidates for a medical assistant position.
4. Different Jobs / Variety of Work Settings
Medical assistants work in many different types of healthcare facilities. More than half of all medical assistants work in a physician’s office, but a significant number also work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, urgent care clinics, assisted care facilities, ambulatory services, and other medical facilities.
5. Consistent Schedules
There are many healthcare jobs that have long arduous hours, sometimes highly irregular hours. Nursing is one type of medical job that fits that description. Compared to these highly demanding jobs, most medical assistant jobs are fairly consistent and predictable. The BLS showed that 56% of medical assistant jobs were in physician offices in 2024, and most of these have regular business office hours. This means a better work-life balance and the ability to plan the other aspects of your life in a predictable fashion.
6. Ability to Work Anywhere
Not only can you work in a wide range of healthcare facilities, you can also find a job in a new city with relative ease. If you or your family has to relocate or move, your career as a medical assistant won’t be interrupted. You can typically find an MA job anywhere there are doctor’s offices and medical centers.
7. Job Stability
The healthcare field is still very much in need of qualified candidates. Medical assisting, like many jobs which require human interaction, will remain a stable job for the foreseeable future.Healthcare is still a growing industry, there is always a need for more trained workers to help patients. Whether it’s a routine checkup or more complicated procedures, the need for medical assistants will still be there for quite some time.
8. Advancement Opportunities
For people who are just getting started in the medical field, there’s a lot to learn with medical assisting. The biggest thing it does is let you know whether working with patients is something you enjoy, if going deeper into a medical career is something you want to do. You can always go into other fields from medical assisting, if that is something you really enjoy.
9. Personal Fulfillment
There are people who make a career switch to come to medical assisting because they are not happy with their current jobs, and this work makes them feel fulfilled. Working directly with patients is a way to have a direct effect on people in your community. Helping patients with an empathic attitude, providing a cheerful positive attitude - this can make a big difference in their day. If you are energized by helping others, this can be another reason you choose to go into medical assisting.
Are You Ready to Become a Medical Assistant?
If you’re looking to start your medical assistant career, Campus Sacramento has a Medical Assisting training program that helps you earn your certification in a matter of several months. Our accredited program will teach you all the skills you need to begin your career as a medical assistant. For students interested in earning your CPT I license, we also have a combined Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy program that is 33 weeks long (not counting externship). For more information, contact our friendly Admissions team or give us a call at 888-675-2460.
[1] Note: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with Campus, formerly known as MTI College, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to Campus graduates and, by providing the above information, Campus makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.