If you’re considering a career in healthcare, and you’re weighing whether to become a medical assistant, there are some things you should think about. Is this the right career for you? For some people, being a medical assistant is perfect for their needs. Ask yourself these questions and answer them honestly to determine whether this is a career you want to pursue.
Are You a People Person?
Every medical assistant is a liaison between patients and physicians. You’re the first person and the last person each patient sees. Your work revolves around dealing with people all day long. In short, you must be friendly, you should be a people person. Introverts who don’t like talking to people or communicating with people aren’t going to do well as a medical assistant.
What Are Your Career Goals?
When making a decision about a new career, it’s important to properly evaluate your short term and long term goals. Does this job align with your personal lifestyle? Is this the best choice for your foreseeable future? There are many good things about being a medical assistant, and for many people, it is an ideal job. Job demand is very high right now, and there is room to advance into other opportunities if that is something you desire. Be honest with yourself about where you want to want to be in your career in the future, and decide whether becoming a medical assistant is right for you. There’s no need to make a hasty decision.
Are You Ready to Work Hard Every Day?
Medical assistants are the foundation of healthcare facilities. Their work determines how well a medical office runs. Physicians and the rest of the medical team expect you to play your role, and if you don’t work like a professional, the rest of the medical team will notice. Medical assistants must be organized and focused, and work well without being told what to do every single day.
You will work harder on some days than others, especially if the medical office is shorthanded, or if there are a lot of walk-in patients that day. The good news is, if you are good at time management, and have good organizational skills, you can excel at your job. Typically, your schedule will be predictable, and most MA’s work business hours, so you won’t be working crazy overtime. But you will be expected to bring your “A game” and take care of your responsibilities. If you like that type of work environment, this can be a career in which you excel.
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How Much Are You Going to Get Paid as a Medical Assistant in Your Area?
This is a very important data point to research—are you going to earn enough to make a living as a medical assistant where you live? You can look at job boards or data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find out what medical assistants typically earn in your city or state. NOTE: Data from the BLS is typically updated from May of the previous year every year. Medical assistants in Sacramento typically earn a decent salary compared to other cities in the US.
If you are planning to move in the near future, medical assistants can usually find a job in most cities of a decent size, so you can also research this information if you need.
Are You Prepared to Become a Clinical Medical Assistant?
When you work as a clinical medical assistant, you will be helping patients with various tests and procedures. Sometimes you’ll have to draw blood or take other patient samples for diagnostic testing. You might see patients with various medical conditions. If you faint at the sight of blood, or have a weak stomach, healthcare may not be the best career path for you. But if you have no problem seeing different bodily fluids and helping patients in different conditions, this can be a good career choice.
How Are You Going to Pay for Your Training?
This is the biggest question once you decide to get certified as a medical assistant — how are you going to pay for the program? There are a few options here: save up and pay for it out of pocket, pay in installments each month, or you can use financial aid, grants, and scholarships.
Paying for your medical assistant training is something you need to think about carefully. Planning your finances and your education is a crucial part of career training, but if you need more insight on what your options are, don’t hesitate to contact our Admissions team.
Become a Medical Assistant at Campus Sacramento
If you’ve been considering becoming a medical assistant, the demand for qualified candidates has never been greater. Medical offices, hospitals, and clinics all need certified medical assistants to help their teams provide high-quality healthcare. Campus Sacramento has a comprehensive Medical Assisting program that will help you get certified so you can begin your healthcare career. We have flexible day and night class schedules that can fit into your busy life. For more information on start dates, class schedules, curriculum, and financial aid, feel free to contact our friendly Admissions team or call 888-675-2460 for more details.