Medical Assistants: can you describe your experiences?

Question

I'm currently in school earning an associate's in Medical Assisting (it's accredited by CAAHEP), and I'm hoping to graduate and earn my certification in June of 2009.

My school does have a way for current students to contact alumni and ask about their job experiences, but the student resource center is always closed by the time I get over there...so, I was wondering if anyone could describe what a day as a medical assistant is like. Go into as much detail as you want. What do you like best about the job, and what's the worst thing about it?

If possible, could you also give your qualifications (certification, degree, etc) and let me know how long it took you to find a job as an MA?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Here is a website that provides general career information:  http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search 'medical assistants' or such.

It seems that many people are having difficulty finding work as a MA (and medical biller and coder).  There are so many programs out there graduating students and not enough job vacancies.  I'm not trying to be discouraging though perhaps if one does have trouble finding work, one can look for a job as a medical receptionist, medical records (health information) clerk, office assistant, phlebotomist or such.

Just fyi that here's a link to a forum for those in the field and many are struggling to find work: http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/medical-...

Answer 2

I started out as a medical assistant and it was a great experience for me.  At the time, I actually had a Bachelor's degree in Allied Health Sciences, but had no real skills and was unable to find a job.  The school I attended had a great 9 month program, after which I did an externship which turned into a job.  I worked for several different doctors and really did enjoy my work. A typical day would include greeting patients, taking their vital signs, and getting them ready for exams.  I helped doctors with minor office procedures and did all kinds of diagnostic testing - EKG, blood draws, audiometry, pulmonary function testing, visual acuity, urinalysis, etc.  We did lots of pediatric stuff at my clinic, so I gave a lot of shots to kids.  I spent a lot of time on the phone as well, fielding questions from patients, talking to pharmacies, etc.  It was hard work, but NEVER boring.  

The best thing about the job is you get to really help people.  The worst part of the job is you have to deal with people!!  :-).  Really, it's like any other job - some patients you will really love working with, others will make you want to run from the building screaming.  But that's just life.

Ultimately, though, medical assisting allowed me to get exposed to the medical field in general.  I found I liked it, was good at it, and wanted to learn more.  The doctors I worked with were great and were always willing to teach me whatever I was willing to learn.  As a medical assistant, your scope of practice is pretty limited, and soon I realized I really wanted to go further with my career. Also, there is a limit to what you can earn as an MA, and I hit the salary ceiling after just a few years in the field.  I had toyed with nursing school several years before as an undergraduate, but hadn't gone through with it because I wasn't "sure".  I still wasn't sure, but the docs I worked with really encouraged me and were so helpful, letting me change my hours to accomodate classes, etc.  Now I am an RN and I love it.  I never would have gone on with my schooling if I hadn't had the experiences I had as an MA.  So go for it!.  Good luck to you.