2 answers
Casandra
Student
Ceres, California
3
Questions
Asked
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what made you want to become a medical assistant?
I am very curious to see someone going towards the same career as me , has the same mentality as to why you want/wanted to become a medical assistant.
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2 answers
Cooper Laikind
Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist
3
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Cooper’s Answer
Hi Casandra,
I have been a medical assistant for eight years now and I am one of the few in my cohort who has decided to stay on as a MA rather than pursue another degree. Initially, my intent was similar to Suzanne and I wanted to use it as a stepping stone career. It was an affordable option ($5k) at a community college that was easier to get into compared to other healthcare programs. Now, I work at a hospital as a vascular access technician using ultrasound to place IVs on difficult patients. My CMA credential gave me access to specialties, procedures, and skills that I wouldn't have access to in other fields. I was able to specialize in phlebotomy and that is how I got to where I am today!
I have been a medical assistant for eight years now and I am one of the few in my cohort who has decided to stay on as a MA rather than pursue another degree. Initially, my intent was similar to Suzanne and I wanted to use it as a stepping stone career. It was an affordable option ($5k) at a community college that was easier to get into compared to other healthcare programs. Now, I work at a hospital as a vascular access technician using ultrasound to place IVs on difficult patients. My CMA credential gave me access to specialties, procedures, and skills that I wouldn't have access to in other fields. I was able to specialize in phlebotomy and that is how I got to where I am today!
Suzanne Sorkin
Retired family physician and medical educator
106
Answers
Traverse City, Michigan
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Casandra, I worked for a couple years as a medical assistant between college and medical school. I was seeking a very practical way to get more patient contact and learn practical skills which I knew would be helpful once I became a doctor. This worked out very well. I became comfortable talking to all kinds of people about their health concerns and helping "translate" between them and the physicians. (I mean we all spoke English...but there were a lot of communications gaps which I felt I could help bridge between docs and patients). I also learned how outpatient clinic flow worked best and who did what in a clinic setting (what role everyone plays in making things so smoothly and efficiently). I learned how to document in the chart and how to take vital signs, give injections, do EKGs and explain discharge instructions to patients. All in all, it was a very fulfilling job to have and really confirmed for me my desire to go on to medical school and become a physician.