Once You’re a Certified MA, How Can You Grow Your Career?

Medical Assistants have ample opportunity to sharpen their skills and advance their careers. Once you’re a certified MA, you may be wondering how can you grow your career? Let’s explore professional development for successful Medical Assistants who are looking for that next occupational and personal challenge after receiving certification.

Medical Assistant Schools

Many Medical Assistants begin their careers by completing a formal training program that usually takes about a year to complete. After successfully graduating, some will then seek certification depending on their career goals.¹ While it’s possible to become a Medical Assistant without certification, it may increase your chances in this competitive environment.

Some Medical Assistants will then spend a few years getting experience in the field, taking note of which specialties seem to spark their interest. After gaining more exposure, Medical Assistants may choose one of several specializations; some common ones are OB-GYN, ophthalmology, and podiatry. These specializations can often be achieved through earning training certificates that can increase your knowledge, experience, and reputation as a trusted healthcare professional.

Experience in Medical Assisting

While some Medical Assistants are very happy with their role, others may find their interest piqued and choose to apply their experience to the pursuit of another healthcare career. This career might fall under Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVNs) or Registered Nursing (RNs). There are certainly nursing students who are working as Medical Assistants while pursuing the next step.

Medical school candidates who need to acquire a certain number of clinical hours may be drawn to a career in Medical Assisting as it provides “hands-on” direct contact to patients. Having direct contact will strengthen any medical school application, which is why some candidates choose to work as Medical Assistants before sending in their applications.

The Power of Specialization

Medical Assistants who continue to pursue professional development may enjoy everything from higher pay to a broader skillset. For instance, as Medical Assistants become more skilled, educated, and specialized, they boost their odds of receiving a greater salary. In addition, seeking specialization might lead to greater job security.

This article has covered several different routes a Medical Assistant can take to polish their skills and grow their careers. Some Medical Assistants feel the desire to give back to the profession by serving as a mentor and/or staying in close contact with the program that provided them with the necessary skills. With these connections, they may help graduates from their alma mater find employment opportunities or avenues to mentor.

About Unitek College

Unitek College is one of California’s reputable healthcare and nursing colleges. Taught by field experts, Unitek programs teach the best-practice clinical technique and theory used in the field today. Their graduates are equipped with sought-after skills, and they are prepared to excel in many of the fastest-growing careers in healthcare.

Currently, Unitek maintains six campuses in Northern California and one in Southern California. All of these locations offer an efficient Medical Assisting program which can be completed in as little as 9 months. Whether you are embarking on a career for the first time or you’re looking to make a career change, Medical Assisting can be a challenging and worthwhile career that will provide opportunities for growth.

Change your future with Unitek College!

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¹ Graduates of Unitek’s MA program may be qualified to take several certification exams. These include the NCCT exam for the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credential and the American Medical Technologists (AMT) to earn the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential. While such credentials are not a graduation requirement at Unitek, they may be of value depending on one’s career goals. Faculty members are available to advise any student seeking such certifications.