Healthcare is a constant necessity. Day in and day out, people will always need professional medical care. This is especially true today. The aging baby boomer population is progressively escalating the nation’s demand for medical services, facilities, and support.
If you are considering a career in healthcare, there is no doubt that now is the time to pursue an education and build your future in the field. Healthcare careers are growing rapidly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical careers are projected to grow about 19 percent by 2024, compared to the expected 7 percent growth across all other industries.
What’s more, the field of medical assisting is expected to grow faster than the average healthcare occupation. The BLS predicts that medical assisting jobs throughout the country will climb 23 percent over the next decade. For medical assistants pursuing a career in Connecticut, the job outlook is now over 27 percent.
Why is the demand for medical assistants so high? On top of the aging baby boomer population, a larger number of individuals have access to health insurance and medical care as a result of the federal health insurance reform. More patients need attention and as a result, medical facilities are expanding. An increasing number of practices and clinics now require support staff who can complete both clinical and administrative duties. Medical assistants are perfect fits for the job.
If you want to pursue a career in the medical field, but do not want to be a nurse or doctor, you may aspire to become a medical assistant. While most medical assistants work in primary care, a continually growing sector of the healthcare field, medical assistants can work in all types of facilities and specialties: private offices, podiatry practices, pediatrics, chiropractics, and more.
Medical assistants perform a wide range of duties, and their role will vary from place to place. In general, medical assistants are responsible for recording patients’ medical history, taking patient vital signs, performing EKGs, administering injections, collecting and processing specimens, preparing patients for exams, updating and filing records, and scheduling appointments. A reputable medical assistant program can help you properly prepare and thoroughly train for each of these tasks.
As a medical assistant, you will work directly with physicians, nurses, and patients. You will take on many responsibilities, and much will be expected of you on a daily basis. It is a busy, fulfilling career, but there is no doubt you will be rewarded. Especially in Connecticut. Connecticut is of the five top-paying states within the field of medical assisting. According to the Connecticut Department of Labor, the starting salary for medical assistants today is about $26,691; the average medical assistant salary in CT is $36,133.
Once properly trained and qualified, you will be on your way to a rewarding medical assisting career. There will be many opportunities for you within the healthcare field. This cannot be said about every career today. While there are industries that are shrinking, medicine is constantly prospering. No matter where the economy goes, the need for healthcare remains. The need for you, a certified medical assistant, exists.
Just as the demand for medical assistants is growing, however, so is the competition. If you want to stand out to employers, you must take the proper steps and earn the qualifications you need. Earning your medical assisting degree, diploma, or certificate will undoubtedly be the key to your success in this field.
Interested in learning more about Goodwin College? Learn more today, or check out all of our programs to see why we’re a leader in healthcare education in CT! You can also interact with us on Facebook or Twitter!
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.