Medical Assistants Play Important Roles and Make Major Impact
TUCSON, Ariz. (January 29, 2021) – The National Phenomenon known as the “Fauci Effect” has seen an almost 20 percent increase in applications for medical and nursing schools around the country. But, what about people who want to make a difference in healthcare, and are just getting started, re-careering, or unsure of the specific specialty they want to be their primary focus?
Beginning as a medical assistant is a great option. Pima Medical Institute is currently enrolling for its Medical Assistant program. The medical career college offers the program at 16 of its 18 campuses across the Western United States. Graduates of the program could be out in the workforce making a real difference, in under one year.
Medical Assistants handle both clerical and clinical duties. They often prepare patients for examinations, take their medical histories, assist during exams, perform basic lab tests and more. In addition, roles and responsibilities also include welcoming and signing in patients, answering phones and scheduling appointments. Medical assistants truly are the utility players of the office or practice.
In addition, for many medical assistant graduates, the certification provides them the opportunity to expand their knowledge, seek additional training, and the opportunity to pursue other professions throughout the medical field, if they are motivated to do so.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow almost 20 percent by 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians, [who] will hire more medical assistants to perform routine clinical and administrative duties.
“Our goal is to not only provide students with job-specific education, but to also make sure they are prepared to advance in their career field,” said Fred Freedman, President and CEO, Pima Medical Institute. “We have been serving our communities for nearly 50 years, and we’ve seen hundreds of our graduates begin with a medical assisting certificate, then pursue advanced degrees opening the door to heightened career options. Our world is changing and healthcare professionals continue to be major players.”
Yvonne De Los Reyes is one of those students. De Los Reyes is a 2007 graduate of the Medical Assistant certificate program at Pima Medical’s Tucson campus. She is also the Clinical Research Coordinator at Tucson’s Quality of Life Medical and Research Center, which participated in one of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trials. She had been working in a medical office when she first decided to pursue her certification.
She said, “I was already in the medical field working as a receptionist when I decided to attend Pima Medical for the Medical Assistant program.”
After Pima Medical, De Los Reyes furthered her education by becoming a certified clinical research coordinator, along with various other trainings. De Los Reyes has coordinated more than 100 clinical trials including a few cancer trials. However, she says the vaccine trial has been the most impactful so far.
“Moderna has definitely been the trial that may have the biggest impact on my career as a coordinator, more so even during a pandemic,” she added.
Her education at Pima Medical was the foundation she built upon to reach her current role.
Students can enroll now to begin the first step towards a rewarding career in healthcare. Go to pmi.edu for more information.
About Pima Medical Institute
Pima Medical Institute is an employee-owned, private, accredited school dedicated to providing students classroom studies paired with real-world training at medical facilities. Established in 1972, Pima Medical Institute helps students become career ready, focusing exclusively on healthcare professions, including medical, dental, veterinary and nursing fields. Curriculum includes certificate, associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
Pima Medical Institute operates 18 campuses as well as an extensive online curriculum. The medical career college has a presence in eight western states with the following ground locations: Albuquerque and Albuquerque West – Rio Rancho in N.M.; Tucson, Phoenix and two campuses in Mesa, Ariz.; Aurora, Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo.; Seattle and Renton, Wash.; Las Vegas, N.V.; Houston, El Paso and San Antonio, Texas; Chula Vista and San Marcos, Calif.; and Dillon, Mont. For more information and a complete list of programs offered at each campus, visit pmi.edu or call 1-888-442-5998.
Media Contact: Diane Smith | dismith@pmi.edu | o: 480-610-6068 | c: 480-320-0142