Adults Can Learn, Too

Is medical assistant training the right choice for single parents? Are you a newly single parent who either needs to start a first career or make a job change? Take a look at what you need to know about this growing healthcare field and the road to your first position as a medical assistant.

What Is A Medical Assistant?

Before you start searching for schools, make sure you know what a medical assistant does and what to expect from this career. A medical assistant is a vital part of the healthcare system. These professionals record patient history, enter data or information into healthcare technology systems, take patients' vitals, help to schedule appointments, and assist other medical providers with daily tasks. 

Why Become A Medical Assistant?

Do you want to work in a healthcare setting? The answer to this question is the first step in the decision-making process. If you answered "yes," the next step is to learn more about the benefits of working as a medical assistant. Jobs in this field are growing at a much faster than average rate of 16 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This equals the addition of 117,800 jobs between 2021 and 2031. 

The job growth rate projection from the BLS demonstrates the need for medical assistants. This means it's likely that you won't have a significant problem finding a job. Not only are there plenty of jobs in this field, but the BLS notes that the median pay in 2021 was $17.88 per hour or $37,190 annually. In comparison, the federal minimum wage in the same year (2021) was only $7.25 per hour.

Why Should Single Parents Consider This Career?

Now that you know more about the general benefits of working as a medical assistant, it's time to learn about why single parents might want to choose this career path. Not only will you have the ability to find a job and earn a livable wage, but as a single parent you can also:

• Work a flexible schedule. Medical assistants work a variety of schedules. If you only have child care on the weekends, you can work Saturdays and Sundays at a hospital. But if your child is in a weekday center, you may want to work for a doctor's office.

• Finish school in less time than a bachelor's degree takes. Do you need a job as soon as possible? A medical assistant training program won't take four years (like a college degree) to complete.

• Spend time with your child. Unlike a job that requires you to work overtime or a 40-plus hour work-week, many medical assistant jobs provide parents with regular schedules that leave plenty of time to spend as a family.

To learn more about why you should choose a career as a medical assistant and how to become one, talk to a training program admissions coordinator. Come prepared with questions and expect to learn more about the field, training program requirements, and financial aid possibilities. 

Check online to learn more about medical assistant training.