If you want a job in the medical field, you have hundreds of options. One option that’s ideal for those who don’t want to undergo a rigorous academic program is a medical assistant. In as little as ten months, you can obtain the education needed to work as a medical assistant. Once you find a job, you can jump right into the healthcare industry. Here’s a quick guide to getting started as a medical assistant.
Before becoming a medical assistant, you should consider the skills you need to succeed. Many of these skills are easy to pick up, but you need to be willing to take the time to learn them.
Medical assistants sometimes need to be comfortable removing sutures, changing dressings, and giving shots. They spend a great deal of time interacting with patients and office staff. During your education, you’ll learn how to do all of the specific tasks required of a medical assistant. However, soft skills like communication and organization are up to you to develop. You may want to volunteer somewhere or read books that will help you grow the soft skills that you’re lacking.
If you don’t like interacting with people, this isn’t the job for you. But if you want a job that will allow you to help others and get a strong start on a medical career, then being a medical assistant could be ideal for you.
The first step to becoming a medical assistant is earning a high school diploma. In all states, you need to have at least a high school diploma or GED to become a medical assistant. If you never received your diploma, you need to start looking into getting your GED.
Some schools allow you to earn your GED while you train to be a medical assistant. Start looking into the programs available in your area and remotely. Once you receive your GED, you can move on to the next step. As a side note, having a high school diploma is useful for other career paths as well. The majority of employers require new hires to have a GED.
In most states, you need to complete a medical assistant program before you can work as a medical assistant. Although you might be excited to start your training, you shouldn’t sign up for the first program you find. There are many different programs available, and each one comes with its own advantages and drawbacks.
When evaluating programs, consider all of the following:
Cost
Time to completion
Curriculum
The quality of teaching and training
Financial aid resources
Career placement history
Proximity to you
Most importantly, only sign up for a program that’s licensed and accredited. After you find a short list of schools, call them and ask for more information about their program. It’s essential to pick a program that will not just train you, but also help you secure a job placement after completion. If possible, speak to current and former students about their success.
After you pick the perfect program, it’s time to enroll. Be sure to have your finances and financial aid ready before you register. At some schools, there’s rolling admission. However, others have deadlines for signing up.
The exact training you receive in the program depends on the curriculum. Generally, the program consists of multiple training modules. You’re likely to have a mixture of education in a classroom as well as in-person training. Some programs offer an externship or more hands-on training after the initial training.
It’s worth noting that some states, like Florida, don’t require medical assistants to have a certification. If you live in such a state, you don’t have to be certified. Nonetheless, you might find it difficult to obtain a job without one.
In some industries, it’s nearly impossible to get a job without experience. Being a medical assistant is similar in that most employers want you to have worked in a similar role before you start.
Fortunately, it’s easy to gain experience through an externship. In programs that offer externships, you work in a clinic to learn the ropes. While you work, you earn credits that count towards the completion of your program. The externship also gives you insight into what it’s like to be a medical assistant.
It’s not uncommon for students to receive job offers if they perform well in their externships. So, if you have concerns about finding a job after you graduate, excelling in an externship is a great way to set yourself up for success. If your program doesn’t offer an externship, find other ways to gain experience. You can start by volunteering for a senior living facility or a hospital.
After you graduate from your program of choice, it’s time to start looking for work. If you follow the steps above, you’ll already have all the requirements you need to get a job offer. The only thing holding you back now is the job search.
Because a medical assistant is an entry-level position, the requirements for new hires aren’t too difficult to meet. If you don’t get a job offer through an externship, you can look for jobs online or use your network to find a position. The job search requires you to be organized. For starters, you need to have a great resume. Spend a few hours working on your resume and having friends check it for you.
When you send in an application, follow up with it. Sometimes, resumes get lost in a sea of applicants. By sending a follow-up, you can stand out. You should also send follow-ups after interviews. It’s helpful to brush up on interview tips before you head in for your first interview. With enough preparation, you can make the job hunt much easier.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been.