Medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing, most versatile careers you can pursue in healthcare today. For aspiring professionals, it is also one of the fastest entry points into the healthcare field.

Hopeful medical assistants typically complete a postsecondary certificate program, taking just one year to complete, with the option to continue towards an associate degree in Medical Assisting. Through either path, you can prepare for a variety of in-demand and rewarding careers—in a very short amount of time.

So, what can you do with a medical assistant certificate or degree?

Most often, a medical assistant certificate or degree program will lead to a career as a medical assistant. However, there are alternative and specialized careers available for those looking to break away from the mold. Below, we outline the top career options available to those with a medical assisting degree or certificate, the job duties involved within each, as well as the outlook for caregivers in this field.

What can you do as a medical assistant?

Before we unpack the many career options available after medical assisting school, let’s start with the most popular path: becoming a medical assistant.

Medical assistants are important healthcare professionals who help keep medical offices, clinics, and other facilities running smoothly. Their main job is to support doctors, nurses, and other medical providers through a variety of administrative and clinical tasks. A liaison between patients and providers, medical assistants can often be found checking patients into their appointments, setting up exam rooms, taking vital signs, recording medical histories, and scheduling follow-up visits.

Below is a high-level breakdown of what you can do as a medical assistant. However, specific job descriptions and the scope of practice can vary depending on your employer, your workplace, and the state in which you live.

Administrative Medical Assistant Duties

• Answer phone calls and welcome patients into the facility
• Arrange and schedule patient appointments
• Carry out bookkeeping and billing tasks
• Ensure reports, results, and other information are updated and filed appropriately in patients’ medical records
• Handle patient referrals, including hospital admissions, laboratory work, or other specialized services as needed
• Submit and follow up on insurance claims

Clinical Medical Assistant Duties

• Administer medications and injections as directed by a physician
• Assist physicians during exams
• Draw blood samples (or other specimens) and prepare for laboratory testing
• Explain medical procedures or treatment plans to patients
• Record patient medical histories and personal information
• Measure patient vital signs, such as blood pressure
• Prepare patients and rooms for examination
• Remove stitches and dress wounds
• Set up EKG machinery
• Stock medical supplies, manage inventory, and sterilize medical instruments
• Take ultrasounds and EKGs (may need to be licensed by state)

What can you do after medical assistant school?

As described above, most graduates of a medical assistant program will go on to become medical assistants and earn their credentials in the field. Medical assistants have the option to pursue a few different certifications after their training, such as:

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA), administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Earning professional credentials can help you secure a career in medical assisting, as these position you as a more qualified and committed medical assistant, allowing you to stand out to employers.

After completion of Goodwin’s certificate in Medical Assisting, you will be eligible to pursue these in-demand certifications! Learn more.

Once you become a medical assistant and earn professional certification, you will have your pick of potential job prospects. With a medical assistant certificate, degree, and credentials in hand, you can find work as a medical assistant in a variety of career settings.

Here’s a look at where you can work with a medical assistant degree or certificate:

• Ambulatory health care services
• Chiropractors’ offices
• Family medicine practices
• Health centers
• Health care practitioner offices
• Hospital facilities
• Medical laboratories
• Medical offices
• OB/GYN practices
• Outpatient care facilities
• Physicians’ offices
• Podiatrists’ offices
• Walk-in clinics

What else can you do with a medical assistant certificate or degree?

Becoming a medical assistant is not the only career option available to you. After completing a medical assistant program, you will encounter a variety of unique job opportunities. While some of these may require professional credentials, similar to the certifications outlined above, a medical assistant education provides the background and training needed to qualify for these positions.

Medical Office Manager

Medical assistants who enjoy the administrative side of their job, and who possess strong organizational and leadership skills, can explore a career in medical office management. Medical office managers oversee office operations, staff, and billing processes.

Medical Claims Examiner/Processor

Because of their knowledge of medical procedures, insurance, and coding, medical assistants can often transition to a career in medical claims, reviewing and processing insurance claims. These professionals may examine claims to ensure accuracy and compliance with insurance policies.

Phlebotomy Technician

Medical assistants who have gotten a taste for laboratory science and services may explore a career in phlebotomy, since medical assistants are often trained in drawing blood. Phlebotomy technicians focus on collecting blood samples for testing and donations. A phlebotomy certification is typically required for this specialization.

EKG Technician

Medical assistants experienced in performing diagnostic tests can also specialize as EKG technicians, who focus on measuring heart activity using electrocardiograms. They may already have training in EKGs, but formal certification is often required to specialize in this field.

Patient Care Technician

Medical assistants who prefer the clinical side of the job may choose to become patient care technicians, providing direct care to patients in hospitals or nursing homes. This role builds on their experience with basic patient care, but may require additional certification depending on the place of work.

Home Health Aide

Medical assistants can work as home health aides, providing in-home care to elderly and/or disabled patients. This role requires and builds upon patient care skills. In some states, certification may be required for home health aides.

Patient Services Representative

Medical assistants can transition to patient services representatives, working at the front desk of healthcare facilities to schedule appointments, handle patient inquiries, and manage records. Their experience in patient interaction and administrative tasks makes this a natural move.

Medical Records Specialist

Medical assistants with good organizational skills, and who have experience in maintaining patient files and using electronic health record (EHR) systems, can specialize as medical records specialists. These professionals ensure the accuracy and privacy of patient health records. Some additional training in health information management may be required.

The job outlook is bright for medical assistants

Healthcare, as a whole, is experiencing exponential growth. Baby boomers are reaching retirement age and requiring more medical attention and support. New technologies, research, and treatments are also increasing the demand for qualified care providers. The medical assisting field is no exception. As more Americans seek medical care, and seasoned medical assistants retire, the number of job openings will rise. Specifically, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, medical assistants can expect to see roughly 119,800 job openings annually. This translates to an employment growth of 15% between 2023 and 2033, compared to the average 4% for all occupations.

The salary potential for medical assistant careers

To become a medical assistant, you don’t need to spend your life-savings on years of medical school. And, you can expect to earn a comfortable salary upon landing a medical assistant career. On average, medical assistants in the United States earn over $43,000 per year. In Connecticut, however, the pay potential is even greater. The average salary for medical assistants in Connecticut exceeds $46,600 annually, making CT one of the top 10, highest-paying states for medical assistants today.

How to launch a medical assistant career

The requirements to become a medical assistant differ by state.

In Connecticut, there are no educational requirements stating you must earn a degree before becoming a medical assistant. However, it is expected that you hold professional certification in order to qualify for (and maintain) an active role in the field. You can earn this certification by fulfilling any prerequisites for the certification, and completing the examination. A medical assisting school can help you prepare for this exam, by covering core topics in medical terminology, medical office management, pharmacology, medical coding, and more.

At Goodwin University in Connecticut, you can begin your career trajectory through the medical assistant certificate program. This is a hands-on training program that can be completed in as few as 12 months’ time. At Goodwin, you may also choose to move forward towards an associate degree in Medical Assisting, which takes under two years to complete. Both programs will qualify you to apply for professional certification and become a successful, competent medical assistant—no matter the title you pursue.

What will you do with a medical assistant degree in hand? Start preparing for a career you’ll love today. To learn about Goodwin’s medical assisting programs, request more information online or call 800-889-3282 to learn more.