Other than that, there are other duties required of you in medical assisting, including taking vital signs of patients, drawing blood, patients and performing other clinical duties under physician supervision. Medical assistants are not qualified to diagnose and treat patients. Depending on whether you're looking to get a certificate or degree will determine how long you will be in school. Most training programs are between one and two years at vocational schools and community colleges.
There is a great demand for medical assistants in the U.S. According to the United Stated Department of Labor, there were around 417,000 jobs in medical assisting in 2006. There is a very bright outlook for the future of this field as well. Between 2006 and 2016, the medical assisting industry is expected to increase demand by 35%, which is faster than the average of any other job positions. This steady growth will open up great job opportunities for those looking to get a job in this medical field. Medical assistants are needed all around the U.S., within physician offices, hospitals, universities, colleges and outpatient care centers.
The salaries of a medical assistant vary depending on location, education and experience. The United States Department of Labor estimated that the average annual salary of assistants was $26,290 in May of 2006. Fifty percent of the middle earned between $21,970 and $31,210 annually. Then the lower ten percent made less than $18,860. The high ten percent of medical assistants made over $36,840.
