Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/648015
February 29 - March 21, 2016 6 Working World l WorkingWorld.com FEATURE ARTICLE M edical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 23 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby- boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As their practices expand, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients. An increasing number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities need support workers, particularly medical assistants, to complete both administrative and clinical duties. Medical assistants work mostly in primary care, a steadily growing sector of the healthcare industry. In addition, the number of individuals who have access to health insurance is expected to continue to increase because of federal health insurance reform, increasing patient access to medical care. JOB PROSPECTS Medical assistants who earn certification and have familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs) may have better job prospects. Medical Assistants Job Outlook Through 2024 Percent change in employment, projected 2014-24 QUICK FACTS: MEDICAL ASSISTANTS 2014 Median Pay $29,960 per year $14.41 per hour Typical Entry- Level Education Postsecondary nondegree award Work Experience in a Related Occupation None On-the-job Training None Number of Jobs 591,300 Job Outlook, 2014-24 23% (Much faster than average) Employment Change, 2014-24 138,900 EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS DATA FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS, 2014-24 Occupation Title SOC Code Employment, 2014 Projected Employment, 2014 Change, 2014-24 Employment by Industry Percent Numeric Medical Assistance 31-9092 591,300 730,200 23 138,900 SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Medical Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm