Medical assisting is an important role in the healthcare field, offering many opportunities to work directly with patients in addition to also handling administrative tasks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent over the next decade—a rate that’s much faster than the average for all occupations.
The aging baby boomer population is increasing the demand for medical services provided by physicians. As a result, physicians’ offices will need more medical assistants in order to see and care for these additional patients.
As well as having a good job outlook, medical assistants chose the field for a variety of other reasons. Here’s what some Fortis College graduates had to say:
An Ability to Help Others
Being able to help patients is a popular reason why students choose the field. For example, Dia D., who graduated from Fortis College in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, works as a medical assistant in a cardiology office.
“What I like most is helping people,” she says. “I'm in nursing school now to be an RN, and ultimately I am going to be a nurse practitioner.”
Catherine M., a graduate of Fortis College in Orange Park. Florida chose medical assisting because it gives her a chance to be there for people when they need help.
“Compassion fits into what I do every day,” she says. “[Being a medical assistant] allows me to be compassionate to others’ feelings and what they are going through with their health issues.”
A Personal Interest in Health
Some students go into the medical field for personal reasons. For example, Bonnie B., a graduate of Fortis College in Salt Lake City, Utah, was inspired to become a medical assistant after her 13-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer.
“I spent a lot of time as a single mom taking care of my son and going to the hospital and observing the care [they provided],” she says. “That's what did it for me. I am a medical assistant, and I love the job.”
Lorie B., who graduated from Fortis College in Dothan, Ala., chose medical assisting because she has family members with medical problems.
“It intrigued me, and I wanted to learn more about it,” she says. “My education has opened up my eyes to things that I've never seen before and never experienced. It has helped me to grow into a better person and wanting to help other people.”
A Professional Career
Finally, becoming a medical assistant provides graduates with a new career path. Sandy W., who graduated from Fortis College in Cincinnati, Ohio, worked in the restaurant field for years. Now a Fortis instructor, she went into medical assisting to better her life.
“I never had a career before coming to Fortis,” she says. “I was working in restaurants 14 to 16 hours a day. I do not have to do that anymore. I now have a career.”
Whitney W. also worked in restaurants before enrolling in the medical assisting program at Fortis College in Cookeville, Tenn and she concurs.
“I've always been interested in the medical field,” she says. “I chose to do medical assisting because having small children, I needed more stability in my career. My education has made me a better person for my family for my children. I'm proud of myself. Now I work Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I get to be home and help my son with his homework and cook dinner, and I couldn't have asked for a better schedule.”
Do these stories resonate with you? If so, Fortis can help put you on the path to becoming a professional medical assistant. Click here to learn more about the program or call 1-855-436-7847 to talk to a counselor about getting started today!