5 Reasons Why Men Should Consider a Career in Medical Assisting
Learn Why Male Medical Assistants Are Needed to Help Diversify Today’s Healthcare Workforce
In the past, men were not often considered for certain healthcare positions because of gender-based stereotypes. Women were perceived as being a natural fit for nursing, and men were better suited as doctors. But those assumptions began to change after World War II when a shortage of nurses led to more men entering the field. By 1955, men represented over 10% of nurses.
Similarly, Medical Assistants (MAs) had been typecast as a career for women. But like nursing, men taking on this role have impacted the Medical Assistant male-female ratio. Today, Zippia estimates that nearly 70,000 of the nation’s 641,000 Medical Assistants are men (10.8%).
It’s no secret that a career as an MA can be rewarding and highly fulfilling for both men and women. In this article, learn about Medical Assistants, the typical job duties, and five reasons why men should especially consider a career in this growing healthcare field.
If you—or another male friend you know—are interested in learning more about why a career in Medical Assisting is worth considering, keep reading. Click here to learn how to become a Medical Assistant.
Medical Assisting Definition
What Is a Medical Assistant?
Can a man be a Medical Assistant, be highly effective in the role, and find real job satisfaction, including opportunities for career advancement? Absolutely. But before we go into why men should consider this critical healthcare job, let’s first detail what being a Medical Assistant entails.
Medical Assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They are some of the first faces you see when visiting the doctor’s office.
Medical Assistant Job Description
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
The duties of a Medical Assistant will vary based on the location, specialty, size of the practice, or type of facility. Although some tasks will differ when working in a physician’s office vs. working in a clinic or hospital, the bulk of the day-to-day responsibilities is very similar for most Medical Assistants.
Medical Assistant Responsibilities
The BLS reports that Medical Assistants typically perform the following administrative and clinical tasks:
- Schedule patient appointments
- Record patient history and personal information
- Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure
- Help physicians with patient examinations
- Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians (as permitted by state law)
- Prepare blood samples for laboratory tests
- Enter patient information into medical records
5 Reasons Why Men Should Consider a Career in Medical Assisting
There are numerous reasons why Medical Assisting makes a great career choice for men and women. For one, the BLS projects the Medical Assistant job outlook will grow by 16% through 2031, much faster than all occupations. Because of that growth, about 123,000 openings are projected each year. The average salary* for this job is over $37,000, yet the highest 10 percent of Medical Assistants earned over $48,000.
Following are five of the top reasons working as a Medical Assistant can be enjoyable and rewarding for men.
1. Increase Male-Female Job Ratios
By completing your diploma and starting work in the Medical Assisting field, you’ll be able to help address gender inequality. You’ll provide more balance to the Medical Assistant male-female ratio where you work and add another male voice to the more than 70,000 men who already work in this field.
2. Provide a Diverse Perspective
As a male Medical Assistant, you can make a unique contribution to your employer and coworkers by providing a diverse perspective on patient care. Your input and ideas can positively impact individual patient outcomes and help shape the work culture at the doctor’s office or facility where you work.
3. Build Trust with Patients
As a Medical Assistant, you have the opportunity to help improve patient satisfaction in many instances. Some of your male patients may prefer speaking with a male Medical Assistant and might find it easier to share personal information while helping initiate a relationship of trust. Yet developing a good rapport and improving your communication skills will also come in handy as you work with all your patients.
4. Inspire and Mentor Others
Working in a physician’s office or hospital, you’ll be a visible example to others who may be inspired to seek a career as a Medical Assistant or another medical office worker—especially other men. Your example may encourage others to follow the same path to a fulfilling and meaningful career that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
5. Specialize and Advance Your Career
Once you start working, you’ll have opportunities for professional growth, including the ability to work in various settings and obtain certification in a specialized area. You can read our more detailed article on the best Medical Assistant certifications for your career. You could even advance to other roles like Practice Manager or Healthcare Administrator.
On top of an excellent entry-level job in a healthcare career, becoming an MA is also a solid foundation for continuing your education and pursuing other healthcare careers that could benefit from more male candidates, such as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Registered Nurse.
The Benefits of Diversity in the Healthcare Field
Gender diversity in healthcare means creating a workplace of male and female workers. However, gender isn’t the only way to add more diversity. People from various socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicity, and place of origin can help create a more diverse workforce and be invaluable in a healthcare setting. Male workers have different life experiences, which means they can contribute valuable perspectives at work. But gender is just one form of diversity in a medical workplace.
What are the benefits of a more diverse workforce in healthcare? One study showed that patients fare better when more diverse teams provide care. Studies also show innovation, team communications, job satisfaction, and risk assessment improvements.
Pursue Diversity and a Medical Assisting Career
Diversity in healthcare workforces is beneficial to everyone. Male students interested in a career in Medical Assisting or related careers usually associated with female workers should not be deterred but encouraged and supported.
If you’re ready to explore a career in this growing and rewarding field, then we can help. The Medical Assistant program at Eagle Gate College can help you start your healthcare career in as little as nine months. If you’re interested in getting started on your career as a medical assistant, contact us today to see how you can get started.
