7 answers
Samantha
Student
Wasilla, Alaska
3
Questions
Asked
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Which healthcare setting is it better to work in?
Which healthcare setting is it better to work in an urgent care setting, hospital setting or doctors office setting as a Certified Medical Assistant here in Alaska?
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7 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Samantha,
The best option is always the one that you prefer.
A doctor's office is probably the least stressful environment with regular working hours. That might be perfect for you. Someone else might find that too boring, they might like the sense of urgency in urgent care.
Someone else might prefer the more serious illnesses they deal with in a hospital vs dealing with the sniffles most of the day in a doctor's office.
Someone might like to work shifts in a hospital because it allows some free time during the day while your family situation e.g. might not even allow that.
So, up to you. But also check if there is a difference in pay, where you can learn the most and what possibilities there are for advancement, specialization and further education (if you are interested in that).
Also, you don't have to stay in the same environment all your life.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
The best option is always the one that you prefer.
A doctor's office is probably the least stressful environment with regular working hours. That might be perfect for you. Someone else might find that too boring, they might like the sense of urgency in urgent care.
Someone else might prefer the more serious illnesses they deal with in a hospital vs dealing with the sniffles most of the day in a doctor's office.
Someone might like to work shifts in a hospital because it allows some free time during the day while your family situation e.g. might not even allow that.
So, up to you. But also check if there is a difference in pay, where you can learn the most and what possibilities there are for advancement, specialization and further education (if you are interested in that).
Also, you don't have to stay in the same environment all your life.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
745
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Medical professionals, who I have worked with, have stated that that the best environment, to work in, is in a medical office.
There is less stress and better working conditions.
There is less stress and better working conditions.
William Gerhart III
EMT
1
Answer
El Centro, California
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi there, hope you're well.
Comparatively speaking from the positions you mentioned, urgent care, hospital or in a doctor's office, the doctors office would be "better" or less stressful so to speak.
Let's take Urgent care into account, that could fall into working in a office type space. If you're working there as a nurse there's obviously some stressed involved. But overall this could fall with your 3rd option of a doctor's office setting.
A hospital by far is the most stressful. You could work as a scribe, or reception or as a CNA/Medical Assistant. However, you will be working in an emergency setting to say the least. Overall a hospital is difficult to work in but it may not for others. The emergency room is the most stressful.
Now a medical assistant in a doctor's office you will still encounter some stress but for the most part it's more lax compared to the other two mentioned.
Hope this helps. Best of luck.
Try going for your CNA
Once acquired try doing internship.
Internship in the hospital, rotating around.
Internship in an urgent care.
You never know if you'll really like it or be fit for it until you try.
Comparatively speaking from the positions you mentioned, urgent care, hospital or in a doctor's office, the doctors office would be "better" or less stressful so to speak.
Let's take Urgent care into account, that could fall into working in a office type space. If you're working there as a nurse there's obviously some stressed involved. But overall this could fall with your 3rd option of a doctor's office setting.
A hospital by far is the most stressful. You could work as a scribe, or reception or as a CNA/Medical Assistant. However, you will be working in an emergency setting to say the least. Overall a hospital is difficult to work in but it may not for others. The emergency room is the most stressful.
Now a medical assistant in a doctor's office you will still encounter some stress but for the most part it's more lax compared to the other two mentioned.
Hope this helps. Best of luck.
William recommends the following next steps:
HRH Maggie Pendergraft
CMA (Medical Assistant) Care Manager
1
Answer
Marion, Texas
Updated
HRH Maggie’s Answer
All of them are quite impressive. You have the freedom to choose your preferred field. My experience is rooted in family practice, which I thoroughly enjoy. However, I also have a fondness for OBGYN.
Rita Chuang
Physician
189
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I think the answer depends on you.
1. In terms of hours:
If you want regular hours 8-5 Monday through Friday, then a medical office is probably better. Some urgent care clinics are open all day or extended hours and Saturday and Sunday. Some people like to do 12 hour shifts and work 3 days a week. Usually, they do not hire MA in the hospital setting. Some people work in an office and work extra hours on the weekends.
Do you have a family? Do you need to take care of your kids? If so, you may not want to work extended hours.
2. Type of job
Next, you need to know what do you enjoy. Do you like seeing the same patients? Then, office job is better. You may have other duties, returning telephone calls, prior authorizations on medications, etc. Do you a like fast pace environment and getting patient out quickly? Do you like more urgent issues like lacerations, chest pain, upper respiratory infections etc? Then, urgent care is better.
3. Pay
I'm not sure but they may pay more for urgent care.
1. In terms of hours:
If you want regular hours 8-5 Monday through Friday, then a medical office is probably better. Some urgent care clinics are open all day or extended hours and Saturday and Sunday. Some people like to do 12 hour shifts and work 3 days a week. Usually, they do not hire MA in the hospital setting. Some people work in an office and work extra hours on the weekends.
Do you have a family? Do you need to take care of your kids? If so, you may not want to work extended hours.
2. Type of job
Next, you need to know what do you enjoy. Do you like seeing the same patients? Then, office job is better. You may have other duties, returning telephone calls, prior authorizations on medications, etc. Do you a like fast pace environment and getting patient out quickly? Do you like more urgent issues like lacerations, chest pain, upper respiratory infections etc? Then, urgent care is better.
3. Pay
I'm not sure but they may pay more for urgent care.
Cynthia Fuentes
Firefighter/EMT
3
Answers
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Updated
Cynthia’s Answer
If you're looking for a job where anything could happen, then becoming a medical assistant and working in a hospital might be a good fit.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Samantha,
Introduction
The structure, patient demographics, and staff requirements differ across various healthcare environments. As an Alaska-based Certified Medical Assistant, you might be pondering the healthcare setting that best aligns with your abilities and inclinations. This essay will help you navigate through the pros and cons of three prevalent healthcare settings: urgent care centers, hospitals, and doctor’s offices.
Urgent Care Centers
Urgent care centers are designed to provide immediate assistance to patients with non-critical illnesses or injuries. These facilities usually operate on a walk-in basis and offer extended hours, including evenings and weekends. Working as a Certified Medical Assistant in an urgent care center, you will encounter a diverse range of patients and medical conditions.
Benefits of working in an urgent care center:
Flexible work schedule
Exposure to a wide array of cases
Opportunities to foster strong patient relationships
Generally less red tape compared to larger hospital settings
Drawbacks of working in an urgent care center:
Possibly high patient volume leading to stress
Unpredictable schedule due to fluctuating patient needs
Potential requirement to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
Hospital Setting
Hospitals offer a broad spectrum of medical services, ranging from emergency care to specialized treatments. As a Certified Medical Assistant in a hospital, you might work in various departments like surgery, labor and delivery, or intensive care. This setting generally requires more specialized training and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
Benefits of working in a hospital setting:
Opportunity to collaborate with a diverse team of healthcare professionals
Access to cutting-edge medical technology and resources
More stable work schedule compared to urgent care centers
Chance to specialize in a specific healthcare area
Drawbacks of working in a hospital setting:
Potential for longer working hours and heavier workload
Possibly less scheduling flexibility
Can be more bureaucratic and administrative than other settings
Doctors’ Office Setting
Doctors’ offices focus on primary care services, preventative care, routine check-ups, and managing chronic conditions. As a Certified Medical Assistant in a doctor’s office, you will likely work closely with a primary care physician and establish long-term relationships with patients.
Benefits of working in a doctor’s office setting:
More stable work schedule and hours
Opportunity to build strong, lasting relationships with patients
Generally less stressful than urgent care or hospital settings
Often less bureaucratic than larger hospital settings
Drawbacks of working in a doctor’s office setting:
Possibly less variety in daily tasks and responsibilities
Potentially fewer opportunities for professional development and specialization
May have less access to advanced medical technology and resources
Conclusion
The ideal healthcare setting for you as an Alaska-based Certified Medical Assistant will hinge on your personal preferences, abilities, and career aspirations. Each setting presents unique benefits and challenges. Weigh factors like work-life balance, patient demographics, and growth opportunities when deciding the setting that suits you best.
Authoritative Reference Titles
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development - This source offers information on Alaska's healthcare industry, including employment trends and projections for various healthcare settings.
American Academy of Family Physicians - This organization provides resources and guidance for medical professionals in primary care settings, including doctors’ offices.
American College of Emergency Physicians - This organization represents emergency medicine professionals and offers insights into the urgent care setting, including industry best practices and trends.
May God Bless You!
James Constantine.
Introduction
The structure, patient demographics, and staff requirements differ across various healthcare environments. As an Alaska-based Certified Medical Assistant, you might be pondering the healthcare setting that best aligns with your abilities and inclinations. This essay will help you navigate through the pros and cons of three prevalent healthcare settings: urgent care centers, hospitals, and doctor’s offices.
Urgent Care Centers
Urgent care centers are designed to provide immediate assistance to patients with non-critical illnesses or injuries. These facilities usually operate on a walk-in basis and offer extended hours, including evenings and weekends. Working as a Certified Medical Assistant in an urgent care center, you will encounter a diverse range of patients and medical conditions.
Benefits of working in an urgent care center:
Flexible work schedule
Exposure to a wide array of cases
Opportunities to foster strong patient relationships
Generally less red tape compared to larger hospital settings
Drawbacks of working in an urgent care center:
Possibly high patient volume leading to stress
Unpredictable schedule due to fluctuating patient needs
Potential requirement to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
Hospital Setting
Hospitals offer a broad spectrum of medical services, ranging from emergency care to specialized treatments. As a Certified Medical Assistant in a hospital, you might work in various departments like surgery, labor and delivery, or intensive care. This setting generally requires more specialized training and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
Benefits of working in a hospital setting:
Opportunity to collaborate with a diverse team of healthcare professionals
Access to cutting-edge medical technology and resources
More stable work schedule compared to urgent care centers
Chance to specialize in a specific healthcare area
Drawbacks of working in a hospital setting:
Potential for longer working hours and heavier workload
Possibly less scheduling flexibility
Can be more bureaucratic and administrative than other settings
Doctors’ Office Setting
Doctors’ offices focus on primary care services, preventative care, routine check-ups, and managing chronic conditions. As a Certified Medical Assistant in a doctor’s office, you will likely work closely with a primary care physician and establish long-term relationships with patients.
Benefits of working in a doctor’s office setting:
More stable work schedule and hours
Opportunity to build strong, lasting relationships with patients
Generally less stressful than urgent care or hospital settings
Often less bureaucratic than larger hospital settings
Drawbacks of working in a doctor’s office setting:
Possibly less variety in daily tasks and responsibilities
Potentially fewer opportunities for professional development and specialization
May have less access to advanced medical technology and resources
Conclusion
The ideal healthcare setting for you as an Alaska-based Certified Medical Assistant will hinge on your personal preferences, abilities, and career aspirations. Each setting presents unique benefits and challenges. Weigh factors like work-life balance, patient demographics, and growth opportunities when deciding the setting that suits you best.
Authoritative Reference Titles
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development - This source offers information on Alaska's healthcare industry, including employment trends and projections for various healthcare settings.
American Academy of Family Physicians - This organization provides resources and guidance for medical professionals in primary care settings, including doctors’ offices.
American College of Emergency Physicians - This organization represents emergency medicine professionals and offers insights into the urgent care setting, including industry best practices and trends.
May God Bless You!
James Constantine.