If you want to start a career as a Medical Assistant you will be glad to know about the various job benefits or perks medical assistants receive.
These benefits are crucial for medical assistants to maintain a healthy work-life balance and protect their financial well-being.
So, while applying for jobs, it’s important to assess the benefits offered to ensure you’re fully supported in your role.
Lacking these perks could make a position less attractive and more stressful in the long run.
So, in this article, we’ll discuss the top 10 job benefits or perks full-time medical assistants receive.
So, let’s get started.
Who are Medical Assistants?
Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who perform a combination of clinical and administrative tasks to support doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff.
They work in various settings like hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Medical assistants serve as a bridge between patients and healthcare providers, helping to ensure that medical offices run smoothly while delivering compassionate patient care.
Duties of a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants perform a variety of essential tasks that contribute to patient care and administrative efficiency.
Their responsibilities may vary depending on the work setting, but common duties include:
- Collecting and documenting patients’ medical histories, symptoms, and vital signs.
- Assisting with Procedures by helping physicians during examinations or medical procedures.
- Administering Medications under supervision, they may give injections or medications to patients.
- Handling Specimens, drawing blood, collecting lab specimens, and processing laboratory tests.
- Managing Appointments by scheduling patient appointments and managing records.
- Processing insurance claims, medical billing, and coding.
- Educating Patients by explaining treatment plans, medications, and follow-up care to patients.
Medical Assistant Skills
Medical assistants must be equipped with both technical skills and soft skills to perform their duties efficiently.
Clinical Skills:
- Drawing blood for testing.
- Measuring and recording blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.
- Conducting electrocardiograms to assess heart function.
- Giving injections or vaccinations.
Administrative Skills:
- Medical Coding and Billing
- Appointment Scheduling
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) using software to maintain patient records.
Soft Skills:
- Effectively conveying information to patients and healthcare staff.
- Keeping patient files and office operations in order.
- Providing compassionate care to patients in various health conditions.
Medical Assistant Salary
The average salary for a Medical Assistant varies depending on location, experience, and specialization.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2023, the median annual wage for Medical Assistants was around $42,000, with top earners making more than $56,480 per year, and the lower earners making less than $33,500 per year.
Certified Medical Assistants typically earn higher salaries compared to their non-certified counterparts.
Medical Assistant Job Prospects
The demand for Medical Assistants is expected to grow significantly.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 15% increase in employment for Medical Assistants between 2023 and 2033. This translates to about 119,800 job openings each year on average over the next decade.
This surge in demand is largely due to an aging population that will require more healthcare services, along with the growing role of healthcare facilities.
Top 10 Job Benefits or Perks of Medical Assistant Career
Job benefits or perks are an essential factor to consider when evaluating a career, as they contribute significantly to an employee’s overall well-being and job satisfaction.
Benefits like healthcare coverage, paid time off, and other perks not only help ensure financial stability but also improve work-life balance.
Here, we will discuss some of the most common and valuable benefits for medical assistants.
Benefit #1 – Medical Insurance
Medical insurance is a crucial benefit provided by many employers that helps cover healthcare costs, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications.
For medical assistants, having medical insurance ensures that they can receive necessary medical care without worrying about exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses.
Medical insurance reduces financial strain by covering a large portion of medical bills, which can accumulate quickly during illness or emergencies. It provides peace of mind, knowing that you are protected against unexpected medical costs. If a career lacks medical insurance benefits, employees may face high healthcare costs.
For example, without insurance, a simple surgery or hospital stay can cost thousands of dollars, potentially leading to financial hardship. The absence of this benefit could make individuals reconsider whether a job is worth pursuing.
As per (AAMA) American Association of Medical Assistants’ survey 74% of medical assistants receive medical insurance.
Benefit #2 – Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Time Off (PTO) refers to the time an employee can take off from work while still receiving their regular salary. This benefit usually includes vacation days, holidays, and personal time.
PTO allows medical assistants to take a break from their demanding work environment, recharge, and return with renewed energy. It also ensures employees have time to attend to personal matters without sacrificing income.
Jobs without PTO benefits can lead to burnout and stress, as employees may have to work continuously without breaks. Additionally, the lack of paid time off means that time spent on vacations or family emergencies comes at the expense of their income.
As per AAMA’s survey, 83% of medical assistants received PTO benefits.
Benefit #3 – Dental Insurance
Dental insurance covers routine dental care such as cleanings, fillings, and more extensive dental work like root canals or braces. It usually covers preventive care, which helps avoid more significant health issues.
Dental care is expensive, and without insurance, routine cleanings or even more urgent care like cavity fillings can be costly. Not having this benefit may result in neglecting oral health, leading to more serious (and expensive) problems down the line.
For a medical assistant who needs a dental procedure like wisdom tooth extraction, having dental insurance could save them hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
As per AAMA’s survey, 83% of medical assistants received dental insurance benefits.
Benefit #4 – Disability Insurance
Disability insurance provides income protection if an employee becomes unable to work due to illness or injury. It ensures financial stability during periods when an employee cannot perform their duties.
This benefit acts as a safety net in case of an accident or long-term illness, providing partial income to the employee when they are not working. It helps maintain financial security during unexpected health crises.
Without disability insurance, a medical assistant could lose their primary source of income if they become disabled or ill, leading to financial strain or difficulty covering living expenses.
As per AAMA’s survey, 64% of medical assistants received disability insurance benefits.
Benefit #5 – Sick Leaves
Sick leave allows employees to take time off when they are unwell without losing pay. It is crucial for maintaining a healthy workplace, as it prevents employees from working while sick and potentially spreading illness.
Sick leave ensures that employees can focus on recovery without worrying about losing income. It also encourages a healthier work environment by allowing sick workers to stay home rather than risking infecting others.
Without sick leaves, employees may feel pressured to work while ill, which can worsen their health and potentially lead to the spread of illness to coworkers or patients.
As per AAMA’s survey, 58% of medical assistants received sick leave benefits.
Benefit #6 – Vision Insurance
Vision insurance helps cover routine eye care expenses, such as eye exams, prescription lenses, contact lenses, and even surgeries like LASIK. For medical assistants, having this benefit ensures they can maintain optimal vision, which is crucial for their role.
Routine eye care can help prevent long-term vision issues and catch problems early. For medical assistants who work in environments requiring visual precision, this benefit can help them perform their duties effectively.
Without vision insurance, the cost of regular eye exams and necessary vision correction tools, such as glasses or contacts, could quickly add up. Not having this benefit could lead to delayed treatment of vision issues, potentially affecting job performance.
As per AAMA’s survey, 78% of medical assistants received sick leave benefits.
Benefit #7 – Basic Hospitalization
Basic hospitalization coverage ensures that an employee’s medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, and treatments, are covered or heavily discounted in case of severe illness or injury.
If a medical assistant doesn’t have hospitalization coverage, the financial burden of a major medical event can be devastating, leading to overwhelming debt.
Imagine a medical assistant involved in a car accident who requires surgery and a weeklong hospital stay. Without this insurance, the cost of such treatment could easily run into tens of thousands of dollars.
As per AAMA’s survey, 41% of medical assistants received sick leave benefits.
Benefit #8 – Accidental Dismemberment or Death
This type of insurance provides financial compensation to employees or their beneficiaries in the event of an accidental death or severe injury leading to dismemberment.
A medical assistant who loses a limb in an accident would receive a payout to help cover the cost of medical care, rehabilitation, or prosthetics.
It offers peace of mind knowing that in case of an unexpected accident, employees and their families are financially protected.
Without this coverage, an employee’s family may face significant financial challenges in the event of a tragic accident. The cost of medical care, ongoing support, or even funeral arrangements could create additional hardship.
As per AAMA’s survey, 54% of medical assistants received sick leave benefits.
Benefit #9 – Discount on Prescription Medications
This benefit provides discounts on necessary medications, making treatment for chronic conditions, infections, or other health issues more affordable.
For medical assistants, who may face the same medical challenges as any other individual, having discounted prescriptions can ensure they manage their health effectively without draining their finances.
Without this benefit, the high cost of prescription medications could prevent some from seeking necessary treatments, leading to worsening health conditions over time.
As per AAMA’s survey, 40% of medical assistants received sick leave benefits.
Benefit #10 – Healthcare Provider Discounts
Some employers offer discounts for employees who use their healthcare services, including checkups, lab tests, and other medical procedures, as part of their benefits package.
They can enjoy discounts on things such as spa packages, shoes, clothes, food delivery, and travel, among others.
A medical assistant receiving discounted medical services from their employer may save significantly on regular checkups or lab tests, while someone without this benefit may face higher bills for the same care.
In conclusion
We hope this article could enlighten you about the top benefits you can receive as a medical assistant after starting this career.
Without these benefits, medical assistants may need to pay full price for their medical needs which could put a big hole in their pocket or compromise on their personal needs which could make the job stressful.
Ultimately, if you haven’t yet started your medical assistant career, then you could check out Preppy’s Self-Paced Medical Assistant Training Program. This program could make you job-ready in as little as 6 months at an insanely affordable price.
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