Medical assistant training programs offer a career that gives you the opportunity to help others while also providing variety and security in your career. Well-trained medical assistants are in high demand, with employment rates expected to grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is largely due to the comprehensive MA training provided by places such as The Allen School of Health Sciences, where students are taught both clinical and administrative skills. With this education, medical assistants are equipped to handle wide-ranging responsibilities, which enables physicians to spend more time attending to patients. Keep reading to learn a few reasons why medical assisting opportunities have been increasing along with the demand for medical assistants.
Chronic Illnesses
More than 130 million Americans suffer from chronic illness. Individuals with conditions such as asthma, arthritis, diabetes, mental health disorders, cancer, obesity, heart diseases, require frequent medical attention and professional assistance. Medical Assistants help mitigate the resulting demand on a doctor’s time by helping patients understand the nature of their conditions, and educating them on how to implement necessary home care.
Aging Population
Older adults require more preventive medical care, and the aging generation of Baby Boomers ― almost one-third of the U.S. population ― has had a direct impact on the growth of the healthcare industry. As this population continues to grow, the already taxed healthcare system will become even more strained, which will continue to raise the demand for both preventive medical services and emergency medical assistance. Consequently, more trained healthcare professionals such as medical assistants will be hired to handle routine clinical and administrative tasks.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) extended healthcare coverage to a greater amount of individuals, providing health insurance to more Americans than ever before. Previously, individuals without health insurance may have avoided seeking medical care because of the high cost. Subsequently, the spike in medically insured individuals naturally created a spike in office and hospital outpatient visits, which then increased the amount of paperwork – billing, accounting, and bookkeeping – for healthcare providers to complete. Performing the administrative tasks required to run a healthcare facility is a necessity that places a high value on trained medical assistants.
Medical Assisting offers you a stable career and an exciting opportunity for growth. Enroll in an accredited medical assistant training programs and earn the education you need to pass the CMA training programs exam and begin working in the exciting healthcare field! Call the The Allen School of Health Sciences for more information now.
Guest Blogger Zipporah Dvash – Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs and Development, Long Island College Hospital