Medical Assisting Versus Other Medical Careers
Are you considering a career as a medical assistant, but aren’t sure if it’s the right path for you? Considering all the positions out there in the medical field, it can be hard to decide if this choice is what you are looking for. The following is a comparison of the medical assistant job and some of the most appealing careers in the healthcare industry.
Medical Assisting Versus Other Medical Careers
Are you considering a career as a medical assistant, but aren’t sure if it’s the right path for you? Considering all the positions out there in the medical field, it can be hard to decide if this choice is what you are looking for. The following is a comparison of the medical assistant job and some of the most appealing careers in the healthcare industry.
Medical Assistant Information
One of the most popular jobs in the healthcare field is that of the medical assistant. However, it is not easy to become a medical assistant. Individuals must be able to either train on the job or take a medical assistant training program that can take eight months to a couple of years. The key to these programs is the hands-on experience using an externship opportunity.
In many cases, medical assistants are not required to be certified or licensed. However, obtaining a license or certification leads to better job opportunities and greater earning potential. Those who enter the medical assistant career field can earn an average salary of approximately $30,000 a year with benefits.
Medical Assistant Versus Licensed Practical Nurse
Compared to medical assistants, becoming an LPN takes less training and can lead to higher earnings. In fact, to become an LPN it is possible to train in just one year through formal education and an internship. However, LPNs must take an examination and receive their license before they can practice in the medical field. Each year, an LPN can earn roughly $40,400 with benefits, which is higher than a medical assistant.
Medical Assistant Versus Certified Nursing Assistant
Similar to LPNs, CNAs have a shorter training period than Medical Assistants. Usually, training programs run from six to twelve weeks. However, most CNA programs don’t have any type of hands-on training, like an internship. Therefore, students must be able to gain experience on their own. Certification is required to start working. The average salary of a CNA is around $24,400, which is considerably lower than a medical assistant. While there are a few full-time CNAs, most are hired on a part-time basis and given little to no benefits.
Medical Assistant Versus Registered Nurse
Registered nurses often work alone and are required to make quick decisions when it comes to patient care. This means that registered nurses have more responsibility than a medical assistant. Therefore, the education and training is more intense and focuses on a variety of medical areas. However, this results in a substantially higher salary of $64,700 every year including benefits. On the other hand, RN working hours can vary greatly, with some putting in much more than 40 hour work weeks.
Medical Assistant Versus Physician’s Assistant
Even though these two career paths sound similar, there are many differences between these two jobs. Medical assistants work directly under the supervision of a doctor, while a physician’s assistant might work alone or be a primary care provider at a clinic. This means that physician’s assistants must earn at least a master’s degree to practice, but earn $86,400 plus benefits each year.
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