The career outlook for medical assistants has been thriving for some time and promises to continue on an upward trend. The profession is expected to grow by 29% between 2016 – 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The field is bustling, with physicians’ offices and hospitals offering thousands of jobs around the US. Medical assistants are not limited to those positions, however. They can find satisfying and well-paid work in a number of other professions, including the military, retirement communities, clinical labs, EKG facilities, insurance companies, ophthalmologist offices, optometrist offices and podiatry offices. Being a medical assistant is perfect for those people wanting a flexible and secure long-term career that benefits society.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do Day-to-Day?

Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary based on the department, location, specialty, and size of the practice. Medical assistants typically do the following:

• Record patient history on patient’s chart
• Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and weight
• Help physicians with patient examinations
• Schedule patient appointments in person and by phone
• Complete administrative tasks including filing and managing mail
• Escort patients to exam rooms
• Prepare blood and urine samples for laboratory tests
• Enter patient information into electronic medical records platforms
• Keep personal information confidential abiding by HIPAA guidelines
• Support in billing claims and processing

Military Positions

Medical assistants can find satisfying and lucrative work in the military, as seen on the Department of Defense Website. Currently, there are approximately 1.3 million active services members stationed throughout the world. The armed services provide their members with health care, so they consistently have need for medical assistants and other medical personnel. This demand is ongoing, so medical assistant jobs will always be needed in the armed forces.

In the military, medical assistants work with doctors and nurses to provide treatment to the troops. They also help run military clinics, care for equipment and manage supplies. They may do medical clerical work as well as ensure that proper records are kept. For many medical assistants, a military career offers long-term job security and an opportunity to contribute to the nation’s security.

Retirement Communities

With the United States aging population, retirement communities are growing in popularity. Seniors living in these communities are generally healthy but often need extra medical help to remain independent. As a result, these communities have created a huge demand for medical assistants to help those retirees with their daily activities and healthcare. Their job includes giving injections, administering medications, providing wound care, helping with mobility issues and aiding with physical therapy. Medical assistants are instrumental in keeping residents in their own homes and apartments.

Of course, medical assistants are also in demand at assisted living facilities and at nursing homes where residents need a higher level of care. These facilities could not function without medical assistants to take care of their elderly patients.

Clinical Labs

A medical assistant will learn phlebotomy during a program at a vocational school. They will also learn how to collect, prepare, classify and process patient’s samples. To work in a clinical lab, a medical assistant only needs basic skills in collecting blood and urine, to support senior lab staff.

EKG Facilities

During a medical assisting program, students learn the process of EKG administration. The medical assistant will perform EKG tests using Holter monitor and conduct stress tests on patients. This opportunity may require additional training for a medical assistant to specialize as an EKG technician.

Insurance Companies

Insurance companies rely on medical personnel for a number of tasks, including gathering information for pre-authorizations for medical procedures, explaining billing, and processing claims. Medical assistants have the knowledge to work for insurance companies as liaisons with hospitals and clinics to make certain the paperwork is processed correctly by both entities. They also have the background to understand complicated medical codes necessary for proper payment to medical facilities and providers.

Medical assistant training is beneficial for every job in the insurance industry. Medical assistants understand medical terms and techniques and are able to converse with the company’s clients in a knowledgeable manner. This training makes the medical assistant highly desirable to insurance companies.

Ophthalmologists and Optometrist Offices

Medical assistants are invaluable when it comes to providing eye care. In addition to performing clerical tasks, they may conduct vision tests, administer eye drops and instruct patients on how to insert and care for their contact lenses. They help maintain the optometrist office equipment, and in the case of ophthalmologists, they might assist in eye procedures such as minor surgery.

To become an eye care medical assistant, some extra training may be required, but the field offers a chance to grow as a professional.

Podiatrist Office

Medical assistants may also assume an important role in a podiatrist’s office. They often help maintain medical records and equipment, take and develop x-rays, make foot castings, aid in minor surgeries and perform other vital tasks.

Medical assistants can take on an important role in any number of medical specialties. Few careers offer as much variety and opportunity for growth.

Medical assistants are ready for entry-level jobs upon successful completion of their certification. Hospitals have a constant need for medical assistants, and this need will only increase in the coming decade. The opportunities are not limited to hospitals, though. A medical assistant can work in a number of facilities that offer different challenges.

Medical assistants have opportunity to work in the military, at retirement communities, clinical labs, EKG facilities, insurance companies, ophthalmologist offices, optometrist offices and podiatry offices. The list of medical assistant opportunities is long. Those medical assistants who prefer administrative tasks will find opportunities for that type of work in many industries. Medical assistants can also expect to advance in their careers, especially as they get more training and experience. The future for this field is exceptionally bright.

Are you ready to learn more about the different jobs available to medical assistants outside of physician’s offices and hospitals? Meridian College offers hands–on Medical Assistant training from experienced school faculty who know how to prepare you for the daily challenges you’ll face on the job. From assisting doctors with patients to important administrative tasks, our experienced Medical Assistant program teachers will train you for a rewarding new career.

Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a medical assistant.