Would Allow Me to Continue This Voyage Throught Healthcare Advancement
How Can a Medical Assistant Advance Her Career?
If you're right out of medical assisting school, you're likely to join the workforce as an entry-level CMA. Gaining experience, becoming proficient in skills and widening your medical knowledge base are all tools you'll need to advance in your career as a medical assistant. You may decide to aim for a management job, work in a competitive area of medicine or go into teaching. No matter your goals for career advancement, a few extra tools may help you successfully work toward advancement opportunities.
What Advancement Opportunities Might Be Available?
Medical assistants may find career advancement opportunities in many areas:
- Clinical team leader
- Lead medical assistant
- Medical office manager
- Clinical office manager
- Medical assistant instructor
- Medical records manager
- Healthcare administration
- Executive medical office secretary
- Transcription supervisor
Be open with your employer about your desire to advance in your career. Seek opportunities that are available in your organization and find out what requirements you need to apply.
Different Career Specialties in Medical Assisting
No matter if you work in medical administration or clinical practice, choosing a specialty can be a wise choice for future career advancement opportunities. Some medical specialties require more knowledge and skills than others and may offer opportunities for better pay and extended responsibilities.
Healthcare is a multi-dimensional field. The vast array of medical specialties and sub-specialties provide the certified medical assistant with limitless employment opportunities. Though you may begin your career in a clinic or out-patient center, you may want to specialize in another area of medicine at some point. Luckily, medical assistants are able to work in many specialty areas. Here is a peek at a few specialties that medical assistants commonly work in.
Clinical Specialties
Medical assistants have many medical specialties to consider as a career. Some specialties allow you to earn additional certification, while others rely on experience and hands-on training. If you're currently a medical assisting student, consider working in a medical specialty during your externship. Learn more about what is a clinical medical assistant.
Podiatry
Podiatry is a medical area that focuses on injuries and medical conditions of the foot. Podiatric medical assistants assist a physician with care of the feet, such as trimming nails, wound care and post-surgical care. Assisting with splints, casts and minor surgery are also part of this specialty. After completing your medical assistant training, you may obtain podiatry credentialing through the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants (http://www.aspma.org).
EKG/Cardiology Technician
If you have an interest in diseases and conditions of the heart and cardiovascular system, specializing as a cardiology technician may be a good fit. As an EKG/cardiology technician, you'll perform electrocardiography (EKGs) and may also be trained in Holter monitor and stress testing procedures. With the prevalence of heart disease in the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states the demand for cardiology technicians will increase yearly. Some additional coursework may be required after you've graduated from medical assisting school. However, your employer may be willing to offer hands-on training as well.
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology medical assistants provide a wide range of duties in caring for the eyes. They perform diagnostic testing, assist the physician in eye treatments and emergencies, and perform patient education. They may also administer eye medications and help in minor eye surgery. You may become certified through the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (http://www.jcahpo.org/certification). Learn more about the training and duties of a ophthalmic MA.
Chiropractic Medical Assistant
Chiropractors use a holistic approach to caring for the human body. They use a mixture of hands-on treatments, like hot and cold therapy, massage and body manipulation, to treat a variety of conditions. Medical assistants in the chiropractic office may perform both front office duties like making appointments and handling insurance claims. Clinical duties may include assisting the chiropractor with treatments, taking health histories and patient education. Training in as a chiropractic medical assistant is often hands-on in the chiropractic setting.
Obstetrics/Gynecology
OB/GYN is a specialty field that requires a broad range of skills and knowledge. While there is no separate certification for this specialty, hands-on training and skill building is usually required.
A medical assistant in OB /GYN works with women throughout from young adulthood through their senior years. You'll be assisting the physician with women's health procedures, like Pap testing and breast exams, minor gynecological surgery and caring for pregnant women. Certification as a medical assistant via the American Association of Medical Assistants is often required by employers looking to hire for this specialty.
Pediatric Medical Assistant
Pediatric medical assistants work with pediatricians providing care to infants, children and teens under the age of 18. There are two positions for pediatric medical assistants in the office – front office and back office. Pediatrics requires knowledge of childhood diseases, immunizations and routine well-child care. You can learn more about pediatric medical assistant duties from HERE.
Administrative Specialties
If you feel that administrative medical assisting is more your taste, you can specialize in non-clinical areas, as well. Opportunities for branching out into administrative areas may come as you gain more work experience. You may be required to take additional classes; however, the administrative procedures you learned during medical assisting school will be a good foundation to build on.
Medical Billing and Coding
Medical billers and coders are responsible for handling charge sheets and submitting them to insurance companies for reimbursement. Every time a physician sees a patient, she must charge for that visit. The physician uses a charge sheet to indicate what was done during the patient's visit. Insurance companies use these charge sheets to determine how a physician will be paid for seeing that patient. As a medical coder, you'll work directly with Medicare, so a thorough knowledge of Medicare billing is important. Coders also may specialize in either hospital or ambulatory care coding. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC) both offer credentialing in professional coding. Learn more about what is medical coding.
Medical Administrative Assistant
As a medical administrative assistant, you may work closely with the management team, or administrator of, a hospital or medical facility. Professional duties of this specialty may include taking meeting notes, creating documents and spreadsheets, working on office policies and other varied administrative duties. Medical assistants working in medical administration usually have several years of office and administrative experience. Learn more about becoming an administrative MA.
Medical specialties like these can be demanding and have a higher learning curve. Because of the demands, employers may have a harder time finding qualified medical assistants to fill open positions. If you're currently working in an entry-level medical assistant position, moving into a medical specialty may offer better opportunities. The longer you work in a specialty practice that you enjoy, the more valuable your skills and knowledge will become to your employer.
Remember, because medical assisting is so versatile, opportunities to specialize will continue to grow. The more experience and continuing education you have, the more doors may open for you to work in other areas.
You might also be interested in our article about Other Professions Medical Assistants Can Transfer Into.
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