Four Reasons Why Demand for Medical Assistants is Increasing

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks for health care providers, including private practices, clinics and hospitals. To succeed in a medical assisting career, they must be detail-oriented, analytical, and able to effectively communicate with staff and patients.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the number of medical assistant jobs will increase by 29% by 2022.

 

Growth in Medical Assisting Positions

The health care industry is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years. This can be attributed to several factors:

• Demographic – As the average age of U.S. residents is rising, more procedures will be required, particularly among Baby Boomers, the largest segment of the population, who were born between 1946 and 1964.
• Expansion – There is an increasing number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities that are being created that will need support workers.
• Legislation – Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”), which requires that all citizens and legal residents have health insurance. Adding tens of millions of insured people is bound to have an effect on the number of visits to the doctor.
• Technology – Medical practices are switching to electronic health records (EHRs), so medical assistants’ responsibilities will continue to change.

Where do Medical Assistants work?

With responsibilities on both sides, medical assistants are needed to fill positions for a variety of health care providers, including:

• Clinics
• Hospice
• Hospitals
• Insurance providers
• Medical offices
• Medical supply businesses
• Urgent care centers

Contact us if you’re interested in a career in medical assisting

Medical assistant ranked #45 in U.S. News & World Report’s “100 Best Jobs of 2014.” If you are interested in a rewarding career in the growing health care industry and would like to know more about First Institute’s Medical Assistant Program, call 815-459-3500.

More on Medical Assisting Careers:

• Medical Assisting Career
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  • A day in the life in a Medical Assisting career
  • 4 Key Standards for Medical Assistants — What Are Yours?
  • Medical Assistant Salary
  • Medical Assisting Organization
  • Four Reasons Why Demand for Medical Assistants is Increasing
  • Medical Assistants Career Outlook
  • Medical Assistant Specializations
  • Career Opportunities for Medical Assistants