SAN MATEO, Calif., June 1, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The health care industry will create millions of new jobs in the next eight years. As the largest industry in 2004, health care provided 13.5 million jobs. Health education institutions across the U.S. are offering one- and two-year training programs to prepare students for a variety of health care occupations.
HealthCareers.net is a new information portal designed to help students learn about a variety of health care occupations, potential earnings in health care, and educational institutions across the U.S. that offer accredited training programs. The Medical Assistant occupation is one of the health care professions fully described and indexed for training programs on the website.
Medical Assistant programs are designed to prepare students for a challenging career as an integral and valued professional member of a medical staff. Though clinical duties vary according to state laws, medical assistants play a critical role in the management and smooth operation of doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals and other medical facilities.
Most employers prefer graduates of formal programs in medical assisting. Such programs are offered in vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Postsecondary programs usually last one year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or two years, resulting in an associate degree.
The occupation of Medical Assistant is projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations between 2004 and 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. However, job prospects should be best for medical assistants with formal training or experience, particularly those with certification.
Both the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) accredit programs in medical assisting.
Medical assistants held about 387,000 jobs in 2004. As the population ages and advances are made in medicine and health care technology, the demand for qualified medical assistants is expected to grow dramatically.
The earnings of medical assistants vary according to their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual incomes of medical assistants in 2004 were $24,610. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,650 and $28,930.
About HealthCareers.net
HealthCareers.net is an educational resource designed to appeal to secondary-school graduates contemplating entering the health care profession, current health care professionals wishing to improve their skills, and professionals considering switching to the health care field. Of the 20 occupations projected by the U.S. Department of Labor to grow the fastest through 2014, eight are in the health care industry. Being able to easily access information, educational resources, and training resources on health care careers will help meet the demand for health care workers.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Medical Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm