What’s the Next Step After Becoming a Medical Assistant? Career Advancement Guide for MAs
Choosing a career as a medical assistant (MA) allows you to enter the healthcare field relatively quickly and allows you to advance your career while working in the field.
MAs can specialize in almost any area of medicine, assisting physicians and other healthcare professionals in clinics, hospitals, and private offices.
This guide focuses on the possibilities for MAs, both within their profession and through other career paths.
Popular Online Medical Assisting Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Pursuing and Advancing a Medical Assistant Career
Career advancement varies based on many factors. The following steps show how students might begin and advance in an MA career.
- 1
Attend a Medical Assisting Training Program.
Candidates can complete a certificate program or associate degree offered at community colleges, vocational schools, or online. The program you choose should include clinical training. Students who want to pursue advanced education should choose an associate degree program. Candidates who want to be certified must complete a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- 2
Get Certified.
Three organizations offer MA certifications, including the American Association of Medical Assistants. Most employers are looking for certified MAs, making certification a critical step in your career. This is the time to study hard and pass your certification with flying colors to help advance your career options.
- 3
Get Experience.
MAs can find employment in a variety of workplaces, including physician’s offices, hospitals, insurance companies, laboratories, chiropractic offices, nursing homes, and government agencies. Some schools may help with your job search. Many MAs find employment on their own, using online job boards or going directly through a hospital website. A deeper understanding of healthcare often leads to new opportunities.
- 4
Delve into Specializations.
After new graduates gain experience, they can begin to specialize in areas of healthcare. For example, MAs can work in clinics addressing the needs of people with heart problems, diabetes, asthma, or joint issues. MAs may choose to specialize in non-clinical careers, including medical claims examiner, medical office assistant, or health information technician. Additional certifications can open new doors in specialized areas.
- 5
Consider More Education or Training.
MA is one of the first steps you can take in the healthcare field. When you complete an accredited training program, some of those credits can carry over to a training program in a different healthcare field, such as nursing. If you are ready to advance your education and career, consider consulting with a college or career counselor.
- 6
Take the Plunge.
What comes after a medical assistant career? Consider applying earned credits toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing or another program. As one example, a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) can increase salary potential and leadership options.
5 Benefits of Medical Assistant Career Advancement
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth for MAs from 2022-2032 is 14%, substantially faster than the U.S. average of around 3% for all occupations. As of 2023, BLS figures also show that MAs earned an average annual salary of $42,000.
MAs are needed to support healthcare for a growing number of people 65 years and older, 85% of whom have at least one medical condition.
Benefits of an MA career include:
Potential for Higher Pay
BLS data from May 2023 shows the top 10% of MAs earning around $56,480. However, pay varies by work setting, location, and years of experience. Advanced specializations and certifications can also increase salary potential.
Job Security
One of the challenges of an entry-level job is the likelihood of being downsized or replaced. A growing healthcare industry, an increasing demand for medical services, and a rising aging population ensure employment opportunities and stability for MAs who are valuable to employers.
Patient Satisfaction
Learning new skills isn’t only about job security and higher pay—it’s also about patient satisfaction and job fulfillment. It improves mental health, increases productivity, and strengthens job performance. Employees who are fulfilled are more engaged, motivated, and committed to their professional roles.
Expanded Responsibility
As you advance your medical assistant career, you can expect greater responsibility and a higher salary. Medical assistants with the widest variety of training and certifications are in greater demand and have greater opportunities.
Wide Career Options
Medical assistants are not limited to working in hospitals, healthcare, or clinical positions. With more training and certifications, you can enter more challenging roles, focusing on a particular population or a particular illness or medical issue.
Advanced Careers for Medical Assistants
Medical assisting can provide you with a firm educational foundation for moving into other areas of healthcare. When you want to expand your career opportunities, consider the following job options.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist
- Annual Salary (2023):$60,780
- Training requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Job Requirements: Entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or a related life sciences degree. State requirements vary, and when technologists are licensed, certification is necessary.
Registered Nurse
- Annual Salary (2023):$86,070
- Training requirements:Associate degree in nursing (ADN) or BSN
- Job Requirements: While some hospitals still accept ADN-prepared nurses, most seek nurses with a BSN. Some institutions hire ADN-prepared nurses with the understanding that they advance their education. Medical assistants who complete an accredited associate degree can use some of their credits toward an ADN or a BSN.
Medical Records Specialist
- Annual Salary (2023):$48,780
- Training requirements: High school diploma, associate degree, or certification
- Job Requirements: Educational requirements vary by employer. Some employers expect applicants to be certified and others expect them to obtain certification shortly after employment. Certification is available from several organizations, including the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Occupational Therapist Assistant or Aide
- Annual Salary (2023):$65,450
- Training requirements: At least an associate degree from an accredited program
- Job Requirements: Occupational therapy assistants receive a state-issued license after passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. State requirements for licensure vary and may include a criminal background check.
Health Information Technologist
- Annual Salary (2023):$63,000
- Training Requirements: Associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree
- Job Requirements: The educational requirements for the job vary depending on the state, the employer, and the position. The typical entry-level education is an associate degree. Credits from an accredited associate MA program can be applied toward an associate or bachelor’s degree to become a health information technologist.
Medical Assistants Moving Up: Nursing Presents an Opportunity
Some MAs enjoy helping patients so much that they decide to transition into a career in nursing. Nurses provide, coordinate, and monitor patient care, recommend medication, and work with patients and families. They engage with patients in more varied and advanced ways than MAs and play a more central role in the healthcare process.
Types of Nurses
The nursing field encompasses a variety of individual professions. While they all share certain characteristics, the depth of the work, education, and experience involved can vary significantly.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
LPNs perform clinical functions, such as monitoring vital signs (heart rate, oxygen levels, blood sugar) and assessing patients for status changes. In some states, LPNs also care for wounds, provide intravenous treatments and other more advanced duties. To become an LPN, a medical assistant must pass a one-year training program or earn an associate degree from a community college, and then pass the NCLEX-PN.
Registered Nurses (RN)
RNs represent the cornerstone of the nursing field. They perform more advanced duties than LPNs and work more closely with physicians to care for patients both in the short and long term. For example, RNs administer medications, operate complex medical equipment, and work with patients and families on aftercare. Some RNs also specialize in a particular type of nursing, including geriatric nursing, pediatric nursing, or neonatal nursing.
Becoming an RN takes a bit more education and training required for an LPN. RNs usually graduate from a 2-3-year ADN program or earn a BSN. Aspiring RNs must then sit for and pass the NCLEX-RN, which is required to obtain a license in all states.
Nurse Practitioners (NP)
NPs perform the most complex nursing functions, such as prescribing medication to patients. Nearly all NPs start out as RNs and then progress in their careers through a master of science of nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). NPs also need to hold state licensing and certification. Becoming an NP can take at least six years.
Medical Assistant Programs by State
- Alabama Medical Assistant
- Arizona Medical Assistant
- Arkansas Medical Assistant
- California Medical Assistant
- Colorado Medical Assistant
- Connecticut Medical Assistant
- Florida Medical Assistant
- Georgia Medical Assistant
- Hawaii Medical Assistant
- Idaho Medical Assistant
- Illinois Medical Assistant
- Indiana Medical Assistant
- Iowa Medical Assistant
- Kansas Medical Assistant
- Kentucky Medical Assistant
- Louisiana Medical Assistant
- Maine Medical Assistant
- Maryland Medical Assistant
- Massachusetts Medical Assistant
- Michigan Medical Assistant
- Minnesota Medical Assistant
- Mississippi Medical Assistant
- Missouri Medical Assistant
- Montana Medical Assistant
- Nebraska Medical Assistant
- Nevada Medical Assistant
- New Jersey Medical Assistant
- New Mexico Medical Assistant
- New York Medical Assistant
- North Carolina Medical Assistant
- Ohio Medical Assistant
- Oklahoma Medical Assistant
- Oregon Medical Assistant
- Pennsylvania Medical Assistant
- Rhode Island Medical Assistant
- South Carolina Medical Assistant
- South Dakota Medical Assistant
- Tennessee Medical Assistant
- Texas Medical Assistant
- Virginia Medical Assistant
- Washington Medical Assistant
- West Virginia Medical Assistant
- Wisconsin Medical Assistant
Ask a Medical Assistant Instructor
Jackie Hayes, medical assistant instructor at the College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University, discusses medical assistant career advancement.
What additional courses or training could a medical assistant take in order to advance their career options?
Depending upon the direction you want to take your MA career, additional training could focus on specific clinical courses working with specific populations, such as aging populations, working with pediatric patients, working with patients with specific diseases or conditions (e.g. diabetes, pulmonary disease, fibromyalgia, or oncology). Other directions may be in areas, such as health promotion, management, human resources, personal care, or care coordination support.
What advice would you offer someone who is already a medical assistant and wants to go back to school to broaden their horizons?
Consider what you like best about the experiences you have had in your career. Think about what you would like to be doing in 5-10 years and seek continuing education in that area. This may lead you on a similar path growing in clinical expertise in patient care or to a different direction, utilizing the skills you have developed working with other medical professionals and patient populations. Another option is business or human resource pathways leading to management positions in medical practice or other ancillary health services, such as customer service or human services.
What are some of the most common career advancements you see among medical assistants?
These include business, such as office or program management, and clinical, such as clinical supervisor, RN, care coordination, personal care, health promotion, physician’s assistant, or MA instructor.
Any additional advice for those who are considering a broader career path?
The future for medical assistant careers looks very promising as the need for this skilled professional increases and opportunities for advancement in specialized clinical areas and other broader careers grow, as well. I would encourage those who are practicing now and have affirmed that they have hearts for people and passion for helping others and enjoy working hard to look for opportunities to keep learning and expanding their horizons in the healthcare field. There will always be a need for dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring healthcare professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Assistant Career Advancement
You can usually become an MA in 1-2 years. Certificate programs, which focus on essential skills, can be completed in as little as 9-12 months. Associate degree programs provide more comprehensive training and usually take about two years.
