If you’ve already established yourself in a career and you’re looking to change, you are not alone. A 2019 survey by Indeed showed that as much as 49% of experienced workers planned to change industries. Of those making a change, 81% said their main reason for wanting change is they weren’t happy in their current job. Other reasons included wanting greater flexibility (79%), seeing more money (79%), and not feeling challenged at work (78%). If you’ve been thinking about making a complete career change, there’s rarely been a better time to pursue a new career in the medical field.
Right now, there is a heavy demand for healthcare workers, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting job growth for medical assistants at 15% between 2023 and 2033.[1]
Many people make a career change later in life to have a fresh start and different opportunities. The Indeed survey mentions that 39 was the average age of the respondents changing careers. It’s never too late to pursue a career that gives your personal and professional satisfaction.
Reasons for Changing Careers into Medical Assisting
There are numerous reasons why adults well into their first careers make a switch into fields like medical assisting or medical billing and coding.
A Career Better Suited to Your Goals
Some people switch into medical assisting because they are frustrated and stressed out by their current industry. For some folks, working with patients in a medical office (where the majority of medical assistants work) is a calm change of pace. If they find a medical office with a supportive physician and staff, that is a job that gives them more personal satisfaction.
You Want to Work in the Medical Industry, But Not as a Nurse
Nursing has it’s own set of pros and cons, and for some people, the drawbacks outweigh the positives. But you still feel drawn to work in the medical field. Nursing pays well, but you must go to school for much longer, the hours are long, the work can be very demanding. For a lot of people considering a career change, that extra stress is what they are trying to avoid. They might also not have the pressure to earn as much they possibly can, but they want to have a job that is fulfilling. There are other ways to work in the medical field that are a reasonable balance of reward and sacrifice, and medical assistant is one of those positions.
You Have a Desire to Work in a Medical Office or Clinic
There are people that are currently in the rat race, working in jobs that don’t feel satisfying to them. Those individuals have a deep desire to help people, and working in the medical industry is what they are drawn towards.
Medical Assisting Might Be a Step Forward
There are people in mid-life that for whatever reason, have been away from the work force, took a long break from their career, or are currently in a job that is not helping them become financially stable. If this is you, starting a new career in medical assisting might be a conscious choice that you make for self-improvement and financial independence.
Benefits of Becoming a Medical Assistant in Midlife
You must consider the pros and cons of the career you want to switch into before making a big decision. These are some of the benefits offered by a medical assisting career.
Demand for Medical Assistants is High
If you’re looking for a viable career to switch into, medical assistants will be here for years to come. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job growth will be 15% between 2023 and 2033.
Diverse Set of Tasks Each Day
You’ll have a wide range of responsibilities and duties as a medical assistant, so it never gets boring or repetitive. Some of the things you may called upon to do include: Greeting patients and scheduling appointments, taking vital signs, preparing patients for examination, updating and managing medical records, drawing blood (if you have a CPT I license), removing sutures or staples, giving patients a pre-measured does of medication, administering vaccines, or giving an EKG under the supervision of a physician.
Some medical assistants do more administrative tasks (working the front end of the medical office), some do more clinical duties, and in some clinics or medical offices, you may do a mix of both.
Salary and Compensation
The BLS reported in May 2024 that medical assistants in California earned an annual mean salary of $52,770 per year and a mean hourly wage of $25.37.
Steps to Become a Medical Assistant
Although the State of California doesn’t explicitly require certification for medical assistants, it’s a good idea to get certified. Many physicians carry malpractice insurance policies that require all workers under their supervision to be certified for their position for the policy to be valid. If you want to become a certified medical assistant, these are the steps in California.
1. Enroll in a Medical Training Program
After you research different medical assistant programs and enroll in your chosen program, you’ll learn medical terminology, medical office workflows, basic anatomy and physiology, basic medical billing and coding, and other essential medical knowledge you will use on the job. Most certification programs take several months to complete.
2. Complete a Hands-On Externship
An externship is hands-on experience in a clinic or medical office that follows completion of classroom training. In California, students must complete a certain number of hours of hand-on experience before they can sit for the certification exam. Most reputable medical assistant training programs include this as part of the tuition and already have working relationships with local clinics and medical offices.
3. Pass the Certification Exam
There are different exams that you can take to become a Certified Medical Assistant. To grasp how to become an MA, familiarize yourself with the various certification exams available, such as the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam. The exam that Campus Sacramento prepares you for, the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam has 150-multiple choice questions. The NCMA exam is certified by the National Center for Competency Testing. Each of these certification exams lets medical facilities know you are competent and ready to work.
4. Prepare Your Resume and Apply for Jobs
Congratulations! At this step you are certified as a medical assistant and you can apply to different medical offices, hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities. Some trade schools like Campus Sacramento, also have job placement assistance. Contact your school for details.
Challenges of Becoming a Medical Assistant
Like everything, there are challenges in medical assisting, but these are manageable, and these include:
Financial Aid
Switching careers often requires training or certification programs. Campus Sacramento can help you find which grants and loans you’re eligible for. We work with you to make your education as affordable as possible.
Going Back to School While Working
If you’re going through a training program while working in your current career, you’ll have to be good with time management. You’ll need to set aside time for work, school, and your personal activities. Once you’ve earned your certification, you’ll be able to start your new career and reclaim your time. Rest assured, the effort is worth it.
Making the Transition to a New Job
When you switch into a medical career, you’ll apply to different positions and make the switch. Working in a brand-new environment takes some getting used to, but you’ll quickly get acclimated to the medical office environment.
Growing in Your New Career
Many people change careers and go into the medical field because they need a change, they weren’t challenged enough in their old job, or they were unhappy with their old industry. One of the challenges is finding a comfortable groove that meets your needs and expectations. Do you want to advance in your medical career? Are you happy working in the same medical office for years? These are questions for later down the line, but something to think about in your long-term planning.
Become a Certified Medical Assistant in About 36 Weeks
If you’ve come to a decision and you want to start a new career in the medical profession, Campus Sacramento has a Medical Assisting training program which will help you get certified in about 36 weeks. For more information on financial aid, program length, start dates and more, contact our friendly Admissions team. Get ready to take the first step to a new career!
[1] Note: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with Campus Sacramento, formerly 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.