2 answers
Erin
Student
Sedro-Woolley, Washington
2
Questions
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Health Question?
What are the challenges and rewards of being a CMA?
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2 answers
Madison Spurlock
Medical Assistant
2
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Madison’s Answer
Hi Erin,
Great question! There are always pros and cons to any job, regarding of what field or career path you are taking on.
Some of the challenges that come with working as a CMA can be:
1. physical and emotional demands: the role often requires long hours on your feet, and you may need to assist with physically demanding tasks such as patient transfers or handling medical equipment. Emotionally, you might work with patients in pain or distress, which can be mentally taxing, especially in critical care settings.
2. high workload and fast-paced environment: In busy clinics or hospitals, CMAs must manage multiple tasks, from patient care and administrative duties to assisting physicians. This fast-paced environment can be stressful, especially when dealing with high patient volumes.
3. limited scope of practice: While CMAs are trained to perform a range of clinical and administrative tasks, there are limitations to what you can do compared to nurses or other healthcare professionals. This can sometimes be frustrating if you want to provide more hands-on care.
4. dealing with difficult patients: You’ll occasionally encounter patients who are uncooperative or upset, and managing these situations with professionalism and empathy can be challenging.
However, there are also a few reasons why being a CMA is a great career choice:
1. patient interaction and impact: One of the greatest rewards is the ability to interact closely with patients. CMAs often form meaningful connections with patients, providing both emotional and physical care that can greatly impact their well-being.
2. variety in daily tasks: The role of a CMA is dynamic, with duties ranging from clinical tasks like taking vitals and preparing patients for exams to administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments. This variety can keep the job engaging and prevent monotony.
3. team collaboration: CMAs work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. This teamwork fosters a sense of community and provides opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues.
4. opportunities for growth: With experience, CMAs can specialize in areas like dermatology, pediatrics, or cardiology, or advance their careers by pursuing additional certifications or education, such as becoming a nurse or a Physician Assistant (PA).
5. job security and demand: The healthcare field is growing, and there is a strong demand for skilled CMAs. This leads to good job security and the flexibility to work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
6. personal fulfillment: Knowing you’re contributing to patient care and helping people through challenging times can be deeply fulfilling. Many CMAs find a strong sense of purpose in their work.
Overall, being a CMA comes with challenges, but if you are willing to overcome these challenges, and focus on all of the benefits of this career choice, it can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding if you are looking to take the next step in your healthcare journey.
Great question! There are always pros and cons to any job, regarding of what field or career path you are taking on.
Some of the challenges that come with working as a CMA can be:
1. physical and emotional demands: the role often requires long hours on your feet, and you may need to assist with physically demanding tasks such as patient transfers or handling medical equipment. Emotionally, you might work with patients in pain or distress, which can be mentally taxing, especially in critical care settings.
2. high workload and fast-paced environment: In busy clinics or hospitals, CMAs must manage multiple tasks, from patient care and administrative duties to assisting physicians. This fast-paced environment can be stressful, especially when dealing with high patient volumes.
3. limited scope of practice: While CMAs are trained to perform a range of clinical and administrative tasks, there are limitations to what you can do compared to nurses or other healthcare professionals. This can sometimes be frustrating if you want to provide more hands-on care.
4. dealing with difficult patients: You’ll occasionally encounter patients who are uncooperative or upset, and managing these situations with professionalism and empathy can be challenging.
However, there are also a few reasons why being a CMA is a great career choice:
1. patient interaction and impact: One of the greatest rewards is the ability to interact closely with patients. CMAs often form meaningful connections with patients, providing both emotional and physical care that can greatly impact their well-being.
2. variety in daily tasks: The role of a CMA is dynamic, with duties ranging from clinical tasks like taking vitals and preparing patients for exams to administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments. This variety can keep the job engaging and prevent monotony.
3. team collaboration: CMAs work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. This teamwork fosters a sense of community and provides opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues.
4. opportunities for growth: With experience, CMAs can specialize in areas like dermatology, pediatrics, or cardiology, or advance their careers by pursuing additional certifications or education, such as becoming a nurse or a Physician Assistant (PA).
5. job security and demand: The healthcare field is growing, and there is a strong demand for skilled CMAs. This leads to good job security and the flexibility to work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
6. personal fulfillment: Knowing you’re contributing to patient care and helping people through challenging times can be deeply fulfilling. Many CMAs find a strong sense of purpose in their work.
Overall, being a CMA comes with challenges, but if you are willing to overcome these challenges, and focus on all of the benefits of this career choice, it can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding if you are looking to take the next step in your healthcare journey.
Cheri Hall
Physical Therapist
55
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
As a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), you'll be a vital part of the healthcare team, directly helping patients and offering administrative support under the supervision of a doctor, nurse practitioner, or other healthcare professional. The healthcare field is a rewarding one that allows you to assist people in their recovery from illness or injury. If you're a people person, this role could be perfect for you, as it requires constant interaction with both team members and patients. Plus, the ever-growing medical field offers strong job security and a plethora of career opportunities. Being a CMA can be a significant first step into the healthcare industry, with potential opportunities for your employer to support further education, like a nursing degree or an advanced technician degree.
As a CMA, you can anticipate an average salary of around $40,000 annually or $20 per hour. However, these numbers can vary depending on your location and work environment, such as working in a doctor's office versus a hospital. Generally, the healthcare sector offers attractive benefits.
Nevertheless, being a CMA does have its challenges. The workday can be busy and demanding, often leaving little room for breaks. While this fast-paced environment suits some, it can be overwhelming for others. Another potential hurdle is dealing directly with patients, who can sometimes be challenging, even when you're just trying to help them. Also, depending on your workplace, like a hospital or assisted living facility, you may need to work during holidays or evenings.
In summary, if you're a dynamic individual who enjoys a fast-paced environment and loves working with people, gaining your CMA certification could pave the way for numerous future job opportunities and provide excellent job security.
As a CMA, you can anticipate an average salary of around $40,000 annually or $20 per hour. However, these numbers can vary depending on your location and work environment, such as working in a doctor's office versus a hospital. Generally, the healthcare sector offers attractive benefits.
Nevertheless, being a CMA does have its challenges. The workday can be busy and demanding, often leaving little room for breaks. While this fast-paced environment suits some, it can be overwhelming for others. Another potential hurdle is dealing directly with patients, who can sometimes be challenging, even when you're just trying to help them. Also, depending on your workplace, like a hospital or assisted living facility, you may need to work during holidays or evenings.
In summary, if you're a dynamic individual who enjoys a fast-paced environment and loves working with people, gaining your CMA certification could pave the way for numerous future job opportunities and provide excellent job security.