Medical Assisting Careers - The Skills Shortage Means Job Opportunity

Addressing the Skills Shortage in Medical Assisting

Are you ready to be at the heart of healthcare, making a profound difference in the lives of others? A career as a medical assistant could be your gateway to an emotionally fulfilling and professionally rewarding future. What makes this path even more promising now is the national skills shortage in medical assisting. This challenge presents a unique opportunity for those eager to step up and meet the demands of a fast-evolving healthcare landscape.

An Urgent Call for Trained Medical Assistants

The healthcare industry is experiencing a significant skills shortage, creating an urgent need for well-trained medical assistants. As the population ages and the demand for preventive medical services rises, the gap between the need for healthcare services and the availability of skilled professionals widens.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants in the United States is projected to grow 15% from 2023 to 2033, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations, and this rising demand places you in a prime position to take advantage of abundant opportunities¹.

Gain In-Demand Medical Assisting Skills at Lincoln Tech

At Lincoln Tech, we understand the power of education and the practical benefits of career-focused medical assisting training. Our comprehensive medical assistant program is designed to equip you with the essential skills demanded by the healthcare industry today. By training with us, you will master both administrative and clinical tasks, ensuring you can support medical professionals effectively and improve patient care.

Develop Your Hands-on Skills

From day one, our curriculum emphasizes hands-on training to ensure you are ready for your medical assisting career. You'll practice real-world applications and gain invaluable experience in a supportive learning environment. This practical approach ensures that you can step into your role confidently, knowing you have the expertise and competence required.

Our Medical Assisting courses include:

• Introduction to Allied Health - Gain a solid foundation in the healthcare industry with an introduction to basic medical terminology, anatomy and physiology basics, and laws and ethics in the healthcare field. This introductory course sets the stage for your future by providing a solid foundation.
• Cardiopulmonary Medical Procedures – Learn the proper technique in blood collection and analysis of the blood sample, prepare patients for an ECG and obtain an electrocardiogram, as well as anatomy, physiology and medical terms associated with the cardiovascular, blood and respiratory systems.
• Musculoskeletal System and Medication Administration – Train in BLS (basic life support) for the Health Care Provider. Learn to identify the basics of drugs, including sources, uses, pharmacokinetics, and actions. This knowledge is important for supporting treatments and rehabilitation efforts, making you an asset to a medical team.
• Clinical Lab Techniques - Hands-on training in clinical lab techniques including examining and report on the physical and chemical aspects of urine using CLIA-waived methods. Learn to assist providers in specialty examinations.
• Laboratory and Surgical Procedures - Learn the Medical Assistants role in minor surgeries, patient coaching, and nutrition. Learn general classifications of surgical instruments, sterilization, and surgical hand scrub.
• Administrative Medical Office – Learn the administrative aspects of a medical office. From patient scheduling to maintaining medical records, these skills ensure the smooth running of healthcare facilities, enhancing patient experiences and operational efficiency.
• Medical Assisting Internship - Experience the real-world dynamics of a healthcare environment with a hands-on medical assisting internship. This opportunity allows you to apply classroom knowledge in practical settings, refine your skills, and build professional relationships.

Soft Skills That Set You Apart

Beyond technical proficiency, soft skills are equally important. At Lincoln Tech, we emphasize developing strong communication, empathy, and organizational skills. These attributes set you apart, enabling you to provide compassionate care and manage the daily operations of healthcare settings efficiently. Each of your medical assisting classes, will introduce soft skills to you.

Your Path to Certification and Licensure

At Lincoln Tech, we equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the certification and licensure requirements for medical assistants. This guidance not only broadens your horizons but also ensures you are well-prepared to test to become a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA).

Educational and Testing Requirements:

• You must graduate from a Medical Assisting Program that includes a minimum of 720 clock hours, including the completion of a 160-hour externship or clinical practice². Lincoln Tech’s Medical Assistant training program meets the AMT’s requirements. 
• You must meet the minimum work experience requirements, then apply for and pass the RMA certification exam.

The Important Role of Medical Assistants

As a medical assistant, you are far more than a support role; you are a crucial element in patient care and healthcare delivery. Your interaction with patients can make their medical experiences more positive and less stressful. This role also provides you with the unique opportunity to touch lives meaningfully every day.

Your Medical Assisting Future Starts Now

The skills shortage in medical assisting is not just a challenge; it's a call to action. By pursuing this career through Lincoln Tech, you're not just filling a gap in the workforce; you're starting on a path filled with purpose and endless possibilities. You have the chance to become a pivotal figure in healthcare, impacting lives and shaping your community's future.

Are you ready to take the next step to fill the growing medical assisting skills shortage? Join us at Lincoln Tech, where we help you turn ambition into action and your potential into success. The future of healthcare begins with you.

References:

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm (visited September 25, 2024).

² “American Medical Technologists - Are you eligible for RMA certification?” Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://americanmedtech.org/medical-assistant.