Although the current economy is a tough one for job seekers, the medical field has been steadily growing. With recent changes in health care, more people than ever are signing up for health insurance and receiving treatment. Also, due to an increase in average life expectancy, medical assistants and related professionals are in high demand. Below are methods you can use to find a job and kick-start your career as a medical assistant if you've recently completed your training.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a medical assistant can vary widely depending on the size of the practice or hospital. Daily tasks can include checking a patient's vital signs, running basic lab tests, administering injections or medications, taking blood samples, preparing patients for x-rays and more.
Searching Online
Industry-specific websites where aspiring medical assistants can find openings nationwide include:
- careervitals.com
- healthjobsnationwide.com
- medical-assistannt.jobs.net
- miracleworkers.com
One of the best ways that you can find local positions as a medical assistant is to go through the websites of local hospitals, clinics, and private doctor offices in your community. You'll be able to view their current job openings to see if they are looking for medical assistants.
Some of the major employment sites, such as CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com, have sections that cater specifically to medical postings. They can be a good source for job openings, and you can set up an account that will send you updated postings by email.
Searching in Publications
Publications that post medical assistant as well as other positions in the field include the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Medical Group Management Association, and CHEST Journal for American College of Chest Physicians.
Job Considerations
The salary range for medical assistants can range from $12 per hour to about $18 per hour. The upper end of the pay scale is usually offered by hospitals and specialized care facilities, while the lower end is usually offered private doctor offices. Geographic region can also affect salary offerings. Finding opportunities in the Pacific and Mid-Atlantic regions of the country can offer you higher paying positions. Pursuing additional training through certification is a third way to increase your earnings.
Consider what field of medicine you'd like to work in as a medical assistant. There are many areas to choose from, and it's wise to start out in an area that you have a great deal of interest in. As you grow in your career, you'll want to increase your expertise in your chosen specialty. If you're not sure which path you'd like to take, look into becoming a medical assistant in an environment where you have a variety of experiences so you can be exposed to many facets of the industry.
