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Healthcare & Nursing
Medical Assistant
Outlook & Growth
This career is expected to grow 35 percent—much faster than average—through 2016.
Because medical assistants can handle both administrative and clinical duties, they are in high demand in group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities. Medical assistants work primarily in outpatient settings, which are rapidly growing in number.
Salary & Wages
In 2006, medical assistants earned an average salary greater than $26,290. The middle 50 percent earned $21,970 to $31,210. The highest 10 percent earned more than $36,840.
Medical assistants in medical and surgical hospitals earned the highest salaries. Those in optometrists’ offices earned the least.
What is a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants help keep medical offices running smoothly by performing either clinical or administrative tasks, or both. They should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician.
In their administrative roles, medical assistants update and file records, fill out insurance forms, arrange for hospital admissions and lab services, answer phones, greet patients, schedule appointments, and handle correspondence, billing and bookkeeping.
State laws dictate which clinical tasks medical assistants can perform. Common ones include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for exams, and assisting physicians during exams.
In small practices, medical assistants usually report to an office manager or physician and perform a wide variety of duties. In larger practices, medical assistants typically report to a department administrator and have an area of specialization.
Education & Degree Path
Formal training in medical assisting, while preferred, is not always required. Medical assisting or office management programs usually last one year and result in a certificate or diploma.
Two-year programs result in an associate degree in healthcare or health office and medical records management. A number of differently titled certificates, diplomas and degrees can help you enter and expand in this lucrative career niche.
Medical assistants are sometimes trained on the job, but this practice is less common than in the past.
Some states allow medical assistants to perform more advanced procedures, such as giving injections, after passing a test or taking a course.
Licensing: None.
Entering the Field: Though a certificate or diploma is preferred, and sometimes required, for many medical assistant jobs, the main criteria is competence. You should be able to put patients at ease and explain physicians’ instructions. You should understand the confidential nature of medical information and be good at organizing data and tasks.
Career Changers: This is an excellent career niche for anyone who has acquired general office management skills in other lower-paying industries, such as retail or manufacturing. Career changers who have experience serving the public and doing administrative tasks such as filing, bookkeeping and completing insurance forms can easily transition into healthcare as medical office managers or assistants.

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Salary and growth data source is the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information on careers for medical assistants, salaries, and job prospects visit: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Medical Assistants, at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm.
  
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Q I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them? —Roberta, Gary, IN
A The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA...
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Q I was laid off from my job as a real estate agent and want to be a high school math teacher, but my bachelor’s degree is in psychology. Do I need a new degree in education? Will an online bachelor’s in education qualify me to become a licensed teacher? —Willis, Houston, Texas
A If you didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree in education years ago and you now want to teach in the public schools, don’t fret. Every state maintains what are termed “alternative teacher certification” programs...
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Champlain College
Champlain College’s 42-credit, unique MSL program educates non-lawyer working professionals about the law. This regionally accredited program delivered by our experienced faculty of attorneys was designed to help you build a greater understanding of the law. This distinct degree will help you become an objective thinker and equip you with the tools you need to appraise and evaluate real-life legal situations. Navigate the law with confidence! Contact us at 1.866.441.0427 Ext. 3517.
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Walden University
Develop as a leader in your learning community by earning a higher education degree at The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University. Our innovative curricula will help you focus on reaching students and faculty committed to education excellence and social responsibility, putting knowledge into action, flourishing in a flexible, collaborative learning environment, and teaching students how to make a difference in their learning communities. Learn more about Walden University today.
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Military Resource Center
For active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and military families.
More than half of military students use online education. What do you need to know to find schools that best fit your needs? How can you find the best financial aid and scholarship package at your online school? Answers are here.

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The field of online education is growing and so is the need for teachers who can teach online. Check out our regularly updated list of online job opportunities, post your job availability, and visit our Online Resource Center, with tips, advice and free downloads for online educators.

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