Medical Assistants among Fastest Growing Health Occupations
The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts that medical assistant jobs are going to be among the fastest growing health jobs over the next ten years (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm).
Medical assistants held about 387,000 jobs in 2004. As the population ages and advances are made in medicine and healthcare technology, the demand for qualified medical assistants is expected to grow dramatically.
Both the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) accredit programs in medical assisting. Many of these programs can be found here at HealthCareers.net. There are one-year certificate programs to become a medical assistant. Students also enroll in two-year programs that result in an associate degree.
Though clinical duties vary according to state laws, medical assistants play a critical role in the management and smooth operation of doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals and other medical facilities. The earnings of medical assistants vary according to their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual incomes of medical assistants in 2004 were $24,610. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,650 and $28,930.
