The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Medical Assistant as one of the fastest growing professions.  It is expected to experience a 35% growth by the year 2016.  This may be surprising in these current economic conditions; however there are several reasons why now may be a good time to get into this industry.

First of all, baby boomers are getting older.  As you know, increase in age comes with an increase in health concerns.  Baby boomers comprise 20-30% of the United States total population.  The number of people in the U.S. who are 65 and older is expected to double in the next 25 years.  This could mean a huge increase in demand for the healthcare industry

Additionally, in the current economic conditions businesses are looking for ways to lower costs as much as possible.  An increasing number of procedures once performed by physicians, nurses and other higher trained healthcare professionals are now being done by less costly medical assistants.  This means a higher demand for qualified Medical Assistants.

Obviously, the health industry is a huge and diverse industry.  There are many specialized types of doctors’ offices, insurance offices, hospitals, clinics, government agencies, etc.  Each sector of the health industry has its own need for medical assistants.  

So an increase in demand for healthcare, the growing need for businesses to lower costs, and the large variation of companies that use medical assistants are just a few reasons why choosing a career as a medical assistant could be beneficial.  As the demand for medical assistants increases, so will competition.  In order to have your competitive edge you may consider becoming certified.

Probably the best edge you can give yourself if considering this career path is to decide if you have a desire to help people.  A good medical assistant is compassionate for patients and helps the patient feel comfortable.  If you are a compassionate person and enjoy helping others, you will be more likely to enjoy your job.  Those who enjoy their job may have better job performance and career longevity.

So if you have the desire to be a part of the growing health industry, becoming a medical assistant is a great opportunity.  Many nurse’s any other health care professional’s start out as medical assistants while completing their training programs.

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