Medical Assisting Career Specialization
Choose a specialization for your Medical Assisting Career
Are you considering a new career in the healthcare field? If you’re looking for a career in an in-demand field that allows you to truly make a difference in the lives of others, consider the Medical Assistant training program at EBI Career College.
Rising demand for medical assistants
According to the most recent numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of medical assisting jobs is expected to increase 23% by 2028, making it one of the fastest growing job titles in the healthcare industry.
Demand is rising quickly because of the increasing number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities being created. This offers medical assistants a unique opportunity to choose an area of health care in which to seek employment.
Medical Assisting specializations:
At EBI Career College, we want to help you prepare for your medical assisting career, no matter what path you follow after graduation. Choosing a specialization allows you to enter a field that you find interesting.
- Chiropractic practices: In a chiropractors’ office, medical assistants often focus on office duties, including setting appointments and handling insurance claims, in addition to assisting with treatments.
- Dental offices: Medical Assistants are used in dental offices to handle administrative tasks, as well as assisting with dental procedures.
- Dialysis: MAs in dialysis patient care work with patients on a regular schedule, documenting and delivering treatment, as well as monitoring and assessing patients during the process.
- Obstetrics/Gynecology: OB/GYN MAs typically assist in procedures, take patient histories and schedule appointments.
- Phlebotomist: The primary duty for a phlebotomist is drawing blood from patients and prepare samples for testing.
- Podiatry: In this field, which focuses on foot-related injuries and medical conditions, medical assistants are responsible for prepping patients for procedures as post-surgical care, assisting with splints and casts, and assisting in minor surgery.
Get the training you need for a medical assisting career
Get your new career started with career-focused training at EBI Career College. To learn more about our Medical Assisting degree in Vestal, NY, call 607-729-8915.
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Medical Assisting Career Opportunities
If you’re in the process of becoming a medical assistant, or even considering the possibility, rest assured that there is no shortage of long-term career options and advancement. You might already know that qualified, highly skilled medical assistants are always in demand in the medical field.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the medical assistant position to grow by 23 percent through 2024. That number is even higher for Specialty Certified Medical Assistants (SCMA). In fact, all numbers get higher for medical assistants in a specialty field: employment, salary, number of certifications held, number of advancement options – the list goes on. So, what kind of specialty is right for you? Let’s review some of the most popular to find out.
Cardiology
Cardiology is the study and practice of the heart and related systems, including electrophysiology, or the electrical activities of the heart, and the vascular system of blood vessels. Cardiologists diagnose a wide range of heart disease conditions such as congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, to name just a few. Heart disease is among the top population killers in America today, and so cardiologists require an extremely skilled and attentive team working alongside them. Here’s where medical assistants with a specialty in cardiology are vital. Specialty certified medical assistants in cardiology assist cardiologists with tests and procedures, including:
- coronary revascularization
- echocardiograms and electrocardiograms
- stress tests
- cardiac catheterizations, stents and pacemaker placements
- cardioversion (the process of using electricity or drugs to convert an abnormally fast heart rate or arrhythmia to a normal rhythm)
Family medicine
Perhaps the most popular specialty for medical assistants is family medicine. Family medicine doctors are essentially primary care doctors, treating patients over long periods of time on a personal level, and commonly treat multiple generations of the same family. Medical assistants in this specialty will likewise treat the same patients over long periods of time. A major pro to this specialty is the familiarity medical assistants gain with their patients – they get to know them personally and so can treat anything from common colds to more severe conditions with relative ease. Because family medicine is a rather general field, medical assistants usually have a variety of duties, including but far from limited to:
- administrative duties from prescription renewals and referrals to insurance and chart preparation
- taking vital signs and initial patient information
- determining the reason for the visit
- relating patient concerns and needs to the physician
OB/GYN
OB/GYN is divided into obstetrics (OB), which concerns the surgical care and treatment of women during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care, and gynecology (GYN) which addresses women and the medical care of their reproductive system. OB/GYN physicians and specialists see female patients for regular checkups, running tests like pap smears and mammograms. Medical assistants with a specialty in OB/GYN assist gynecologists with:
- drawing blood for testing
- ultrasounds
- breast and cervical cancer examinations
- prepping medical charts
- clerical and administrative work
Orthopedics
Orthopedics is the study and practice of treating the musculoskeletal system, including joints, bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Orthopedic physicians diagnose and treat all kinds of injuries and diseases related to muscle and skeletal system. These physicians see and treat a wide range of conditions, ranging from injury rehabilitation to providing long term ongoing treatments for permanent diseases. Orthopedics is perhaps the most hands-on medicinal field, which should draw the attention of medical assistants who love working directly with patients for long periods of time. A huge pro of this field is that medical professionals working in it commonly get to see the results of their work in their patients’ progress. Medical assistants specializing in orthopedics doctors and surgeons treat patients and act as a support role. Responsibilities typically include:
- organize patient charts
- collect data like vital signs, medical histories and allergy alerts
- assist in wound care, suture/stitches/staple removal, etc.
- sterilization practices
- splints, casts and medical first aid
- assist Orthopedic Surgeons in caring and working directly with patients
Pediatrics
Pediatrics is the medical field focusing on the health and care of children up to age 18. Pediatric physicians and medical professionals provide a wide range of care for children with all types of conditions, or lack thereof. Since pediatric care is necessary for all children, there is usually a demand for skilled medical assistants. Being a skilled medical assistant in pediatric care not only means skilled in medical practice or knowledge, but also in dealing with children of various ages. Medical assistants with pensions for children will no doubt want to consider a pediatric specialty. The most common duties include:
- measure and monitor patients’ vitals from visit to visit for changes in growth and development
- collect lab work
- give immunizations
- educate patients and parents on new policies and health information
- ensure that these young patients feel safe and secure in a medical environment.
Certification
Medical assisting can intense, but it is also intensely rewarding – both in job satisfaction and career advancement. Medical assistants are not resigned to working in clinics or hospitals. There are many specialty fields that require qualified medical assistants. EBI trains our medical assisting students to get MA certification, and we encourage students to go above and beyond and receive a specialty certification. Study materials and practice exams are available online, and you can get an overview of all the various specialty fields here.
Source: https://www.specialtycma.com/medical-assistant-certifications/
Common Medical Assisting Misconceptions
To the general public, the job of medical assistants is perceived as an odd mixture of administrative assistants, nurses, billing and coding technicians, and receptionists. While the medical assistant role does have a large variance of duties, it is distinct from these other occupations yet shares many of their characteristics. Medical assistants play a vital role in healthcare administration as well as patient care, facility operations, and overall productivity of a healthcare medical organization. Below we will identify some of the most common misconceptions about the medical assistant position and reveal the truth behind them.
It’s a Job, Not a Career
This perception is entirely false. The medical assistant position is a full-time, often intensive career that requires formal training. There is also a very high demand for qualified medical assistants across the healthcare industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the medical assistant position is projected to grow 23% between 2014 and 2024. Another factor influencing false public perceptions is the idea that a medical assistant position is just a stepping stone to another medical profession. The fact is that many medical assistants stay at one facility, under one doctor for their entire careers simply because they love the work. Medical assistants have almost limitless specialties they can go into as far as healthcare goes. Medical assistant positions exist in every kind of medical practice. Additionally, because medical assistants are tasked with many different duties, they gain experience in many different healthcare roles which makes them prime candidates for promotion within healthcare organizations.
It’s an Easy Job, Anyone Can Do It
Many people think that medical assistants have an easy job and that anyone could do it with a little on-the-job training. The reality is that medical assistants are trained medical professionals that have undergone specific higher education for the job. Education requirements vary from state-to-state, but most employers require a degree program of some type, usually a certification or associate’s degree. Medical assisting students receive training in a wide variety of medical practices, as well as legal, insurance, administrative, and clinical practices. Depending on if a medical assistant goes into a medical specialty, of which there are many, even more training is required. In a fast-paced environment like a medical facility, education and training are definitely required.
It’s a Boring Job, They Only Work in Doctor’s Offices
A widely held misconception about medical assistants is that they only work in doctor’s offices and clinics, acting as receptionists or administrative assistants more or less. While some medical assistants do indeed work in individual physician practices and clinics, many choose to work in a variety of other medical settings, including but not limited to:
- Hospitals
- Urgent Care Centers
- Surgical Centers
- EKG and Imaging Centers
- Medical Laboratories
- And a variety of specialized medical facilities (chiropractic, orthopedic, geriatric, OBGYN, etc.)
Once a medical assistant has completed their formal education, is certified, and has some work experience, he or she may enter any medical specialty available to them. Among the greatest positives of being a medical assistant is that nearly every healthcare facility needs at least one.
Medical Assistant Interviewing 101
Medical assistants seeking first time employment will find the job hunting and hiring process quite similar to any other entry-level employment. You have to search for openings, submit your resume and go through at least one interview. Through EBI’s Medical Assisting program, you should be all set to create a thorough resume, as well as receive job placement assistance. One of the things that rests entirely on your shoulders, intimidatingly, is the interview process. Interviewing for positions in the medical field isn’t too dissimilar from any other industry, but you’ll need to be ready for the kinds of questions thrown at you. The following is an overview of how to professionally handle your medical assistant interview.
Basic Interview Questions
Like any other job interview, you’ll be asked a number of general questions about yourself and your experience. Be honest here, but remember that you’re convincing the employer why you’re the best person for the position.
- “Tell me about yourself.”
- Keep your answer simple – stick to your professional history and, as an entry-level professional, keep your training top-of-mind. Explain why you want to be a medical assistant. Describe why your personal attributes (outgoing, personal, empathetic, energetic, critical, etc.) make you an ideal candidate for the job.
- “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
- When talking about your strengths, try to be as specific as possible. Focus on a particular aspect of medical assisting you to excel at. Bring up examples of when a professor or colleague complimented your work.
- When talking about your weaknesses, use language along the lines of “I prefer [this aspect] to [that aspect], but I have a plan to strengthen that part of my professional skillset.” Never use the word ‘weakness’ and speak confidently about your progress.
- “Tell me about your education and if you’re continuing education in any way.”
- Again, speak specifically about aspects you excelled at in your education. If you’re not actively continuing your education through certifications or other classes, simply speak to your ambitious nature and are aware of certifications available. Tell the interviewer you are always looking to improve yourself and ask if the employer has any educational opportunities. The interviewer wants to know that you’re a driven person, not necessarily that you have a high level of education.
Technical Questions
After general questions, the interviewer will dive into your professional prowess and skillsets. This portion will likely be about technical skills such as a computer or administrative skills. It is highly important to be confident when answering these questions. Be specific. If you can’t think of an answer you’re comfortable with, revert back to your ambitious nature and willingness to learn, as well as your willingness to be a team player.
- “What computer skills do you have?”
- Give specific examples of computer work you completed in your education. Be sure to mention software, programs and skills you know you’ll use on the job like Microsoft Office or Electronic Health Records or patient database management. Again, if you don’t have a good answer, focus on your eagerness to learn.
- “Do you have administrative or front-office experience?”
- The interviewer wants to know how you would handle patient interactions, as well as how you would get along with other employees. Focus on interpersonal skills you learned in your training program and, if possible, give an example of how you would greet and work with a patient who just walked through the door. If you don’t necessarily enjoy administrative duties, talk about how you understand the scope of the position, but you prefer other aspects of medical assisting duties. Be polite, approachable, friendly, and efficient.
- “How would you work to ensure you are following HIPAA protocol?”
- Explain that you’ve been trained on HIPAA compliance, and then give specific examples, such as only using patients’ first names in waiting rooms, keeping patient charts out of view of other patients, and of course never discussing a patient’s case other than with doctors and healthcare providers.
Medical Questions
The time will inevitably come when the interviewer asks you about your medical knowledge. In medical assistant interviews, it is rare that the interviewer will ask specific medical questions about things like biology or treatment options. Instead, you’ll likely be asked about things like how you deal with patients, prescription drug protocol, and handling patient charts. Remember to be confident and sell yourself.
- “What experience do you have with patient care?”
- Keep your answers focused on what you’ll actually be doing as a medical assistant. Explain that you’re comfortable taking patient history, handling charts, and interacting with patients daily. If your favorite part of medical assisting is engaging with patients, talk more about that. If you more enjoy the clinical side of it, talk about how fascinated you are with medical histories and treatment options.
- “Do you have any experience in phlebotomy, or have you ever drawn blood from a patient?”
- Be honest here. If you’ve practiced phlebotomy, explain when where and how it went. IF you haven’t, steer the conversation back to your eagerness to learn and that you realize drawing blood is a critical part of the job and that you’d like to be trained on it right away, even when off the clock.
- “Do you have any other medical experience?”
- You should be honest in this answer, but you can indulge a bit. If you have other experiences, share it openly. If not, explain that while you do not have experience prior to medical assisting many other areas of medicine pique your interest and you’re excited to work closely with doctors and nurses to experience all that medicine has to offer.
With these basic questions nailed down, you should have no problem in your first, second, fifth, tenth medical assisting interviews. If your first few interviews don’t go well, do not give up. Practice interviewing with someone, or even by yourself in the mirror. Use these questions to guide you, but the best way to become an expert interviewee is through practice, so be sure to practice the questions you’ve been asked by actual employers. Bring all talking points back to the tasks you’ll be doing as a medical assistant. Sell yourself and be confident. And remember, passion is the most powerful influencer you have.
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Medical Assisting Career Fulfilling and Challenging
Are you ready to jump into a new career? The healthcare industry is on the rise and the medical assisting profession is growing like never before! If you’re looking for career-focused training so you can pursue a career as a medical assistant, look no further than EBI Career College.
1. Medical Assistants are in-demand
The job outlook and growth projection for professional medical assistant careers is incredible. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical assistants is expected to grow by 23% by 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. This makes it a great time to invest in your future.
2. Career-focused training
EBI Career College offers both a Medical Assisting Certificate Program which takes as little as 12 months to complete. The medical assistant training received at EBI Career College covers both administrative and clinical medical assisting. The certificate program’s courses provide accurate and relevant training that will directly translate to tasks that will be required of any prospective medical assistant.
3. A career stepping stone
If you are new to the healthcare industry, a medical assistant position can be the perfect way to get your foot in the medical field door. Some love the work so much they stay in it their entire career. Others prefer the administrative aspects of the job and work toward becoming an office manager. There are many possibilities for continued education and growth after you become a medical assistant.
4. A fulfilling career
If you’re looking for a rewarding career, look no further than the life of a medical assistant, where you will be in a position to help others on a daily basis. Whether it is helping a patient feel comfortable during an appointment or sharing a patient’s medical concerns with the nurse, you will know that you are helping people with their healthcare needs. Plus, there is the added reward of playing an important role on a medical team.
5. Finance your education
At EBI Career College, we believe that no one should be denied great career training at one of our technician schools because of financial limitations. This is why we maintain low program costs and help students – who qualify – get the financial aid they deserve. Many students first start exploring financial aid options through the Federal Student Aid program (FAFSA).
Contact us today and begin your medical assisting career
Now is a great time to start a career in the healthcare field. You can complete your certificate program in as little as 12 months. To learn more about our Medical Assisting certificate program in Vestal, NY, call 607-729-8915.
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