medical Assistant?
Asked by noahlumy
I want to go to school with penn Foster to become a Medical Assistant. I just was wondering if anyone can tell me fo you think it is necessart in order to become an Medical Assistant or do you think i am waisting my money. I called several Doctor offices but they said they couldnt tell. I just wanna make the right choice anybody out there who is a Medica Assistant and could hlep me out thaknk a lot

Best Answer:
I was a medical assistant for 2 years and I never went to school for it. Some doctors offices will train you. I was an EMT for about a year, which helped, but for the most part, I learned just about everything on the job. I loved being an MA, but I worked for a horrible, horrible man. He practically ran a sweat shop, so I ended up quitting and going on to other things. Whether ot not you like being an MA is up to you and who you work for. I found it to be a very rewarding job. More so than being an EMT. If you have any other questions about it, please feel free to email me. Good luck!

I've been a medical assistant for 7 years now. Not a day goes by that I wish I had done just that 1 more year of tech school to get my RN license. I would make twice as much as what I make now. Its an ok job, but now I'm looking at going back and I have to go for 2 years again.
Answered by Tricia L

Well let me tell you DON"T DO IT!!!!!!! Get your RN, its worth it, read on... Some people only go for the 8 month course and get certified well I did the 2yr associates degree and spent $26,000. Waist of my money. It really depends on where you live but I was only offered $7.50 to $9.00 an hour. So I didn't take the job I went to college for 2 yrs for that right over min wage, I don't think so. Well my degree has helped, to get a good job but I hate that I'm paying money for that and I don't even work in the field. MA are under estimated you learn almost everything a RN does if you go 2yrs, well I learned alot about health and alot of clinical skills to not even get 1/2 of what a RN makes. I know this I've been there. 10 people out of my 15 people class does not even work in the medical field. hope you make a good choose.
Answered by Casey Mae

If you like a fast paced, always busy, Doctors right hand man in a outpatient setting environment- then Medical Assisting is your calling. I am currently a Medical Assistant and I love it. I work in a multi-specialty office that houses Neurology, Nephrology,Cardiology, Rheaumatology, Pulmonary, and Gastroenterology. I Assist each specialty daily. We have clinic from 8:30am-12pm, and then again at 1pm-4pm it gets very busy, but I love the satisfaction of providing care to my patients. I'm a Sr. MA ( I'm going to school part time for NRSG, so I'm given alot more responsibilities than the other MA's, leadership mainly) so I ensure patient flow in the office, professionalism from the clinical staff of MA's and medical receptionist, and ensure billing is coded properly by the MA's under me. Long story short, I think the MA profession is meant as a stepping stone for bigger things, as in Nursing. Good look, hope my looooong winded response helped!
Answered by AKA1908

I'm a medical assistant and I it has its flaws. Alo of things they teach you in school you can't even do. Also alot of place want you to go to school for it. Doctor treat you like slaves alot of there time and make ou feel like your there assistant. I suggest CNA. 4 weeks of school way less money. And its so hard to find a job once you graduate. They want 2-4 years experince most of the time.
Answered by Brieana C

Don't waste your time girlie! I've been an MA for about two years now and we are over worked and under-paid. You will feel unappreiciated.
Answered by Bootylicious

I am a CMA. I worked in a docs office for one year. The work is not bad, but if you get a doc with an attitude, you will be miserable. The pay is not good. The only thing that is really good is the hours. M-F, no holidays, usually no weekends (some places are starting to offer Saturday appointments.) I am not respected for my certification and am viewed as a nurse's aide most of the time. If you want to be in healthcare, be a nurse. That's what I would have done if I would have had the opportunity.
Answered by ~~SheSul~~

I am not an MA, but please stay away from those 'online schools' such as penn foster, stratford career institute and university of phoenix as employers don't typically view them as reputable. I have heard here and on other message boards that there are not a lot of jobs for the MA (as well as medical billers and coders) that MA's don't always get treated with respect. The general consensus is to go to (LPN/licensed practical nurse) school for an extra few months with the clinicals or longer for the RN. Good luck with whatever you decide! For more general career info -- US occupational outlook handbook: www.bls.gov/oco and can type into search 'licensed practical nurse' or such.
Answered by jannsody