Working in the healthcare field is often a challenging (yet rewarding) career path. If you have the desire to help others, but you also want a career that offers a great work-life balance, you may be considering the role of medical assistant.
Medical assistants enjoy long careers in an ever-growing healthcare field. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of medical assistants to grow 19% (much faster than average) over the next several years. And, unlike many other roles in the medical field, this is one that offers great flexibility. Typically, medical assistants work in doctors’ offices, where the hours tend to be regular. This would give you the chance to work with patients directly, to help make a difference, while still enjoying a full and happy life outside of work.
While it is clearly a worthwhile career path to take, you may be asking yourself, “Is medical assisting hard?” and “Is it hard to become a medical assistant?” Before you jump into a new career, you’ll want to be prepared for the road ahead. Read on, as we answer both questions and point you in the right direction toward reaching your goals.
Is Medical Assisting Hard?
Of course, the first question on your mind is, “Is medical assisting hard?” With this, you may be wondering what a medical assistant actually does. You can read the complete medical assistant job description here. Some of the basic, day-to-day duties of a medical assistant include:
- Welcome patients and answer phone calls
- Update and file patient records and claims
- Ensure reports, results, and information are filed appropriately in patients’ medical records
- Schedule patient appointments
- File and follow up on insurance claims
- Handle bookkeeping and billing tasks
- Arrange hospital admissions or laboratory services for patients
These daily tasks of a medical assistant mean a variety in work life. Performing multiple tasks that require attention-to-detail may seem intimidating, but with challenge comes great reward. Personal connections made with patients and colleagues translate to a rich work experience. Besides, variety is the spice of life!
And speaking of variety, just because you work as a medical assistant does not mean you must work in a doctor’s office. There is a variety of settings wherein medical assistants work, such as outpatient care centers, local or private hospitals, and other clinical settings such as optometry or chiropractic offices.
So to answer the question simply, the answer is: No. Medical assisting is not hard if you work hard at what you do. This is a role that comes with challenges, variety, and plenty of reward.
Is it Hard to Become a Medical Assistant?
The next question on our list, “Is it hard to become a medical assistant?” This is one that is often asked by students who are about to pursue a program related to their field. While it does take some hard work, determination, and plenty of focus, the road to becoming a medical assistant is not impossible. Medical assisting, rather, is one of the most straightforward paths to a career in the healthcare field.
In fact, it is now easier than ever to become a medical assistant! There are many different programs that can prepare you for this career, from the certificate to associate degree level. Depending on the type of program you choose, it may take between one and two years to complete.
With a flexible, career-focused medical assisting program, like the one at Goodwin University, you can pursue your career goals and maintain your other responsibilities. This program is catered to meet the needs of students. Classes are available on-campus, online, and in a hybrid format, allowing students to study at a time that works best for them. Whether you work part time, full time, or have a family to focus on, you can still follow your dreams and earn a degree that fits around your schedule.
The associate degree in Medical Assisting at Goodwin can be completed anywhere between 16 and 20 months, depending on the format of classes you choose and your availability to take them. There is also the certificate-level medical assisting program, which can be completed in even less time – as few as 12 months!
Whether you’re interested in the certificate program or associate degree, you have the option to take classes at Goodwin in a standard, 15-week format or at an accelerated 7 ½ week pace, for an even faster experience. There are six different class starts throughout the year, so students can enroll and get started quickly, at a time of year that works best for them.
If you’re ready to jumpstart your career as a medical assistant, reach out to Goodwin University today at 1-800-889-3282. You may also visit us online to request more information.
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.