Careers in Healthcare After Medical Assistant Training: Ma Specialization

There are many careers in healthcare after graduating medical assistant training school.

One such medical assistant career pathway would be to specialize in a particular clinical area.

Your way into working in one of these specialized areas can vary, but usually starts with one or more of the following: extra certification, additional training, extended medical assisting experience, and an interest in an area of medicine that treats a particular patient group.

If specializing as a medical assistant sounds appealing as you look forwards to where your healthcare career might take you, here are 5 clinical specialties you might want to bookmark in your mind for the future reference.

#1 Obstetrics/Gynecology

Obstetrics and Gynecology (also known as OB/GYN) is a medical specialty that deals with the care of female reproductive organ health and pregnancy management.

A medical assistant working at a OB/GYN clinic will demonstrate the following skills: 

• Pap testing
• Breast exams
• Pregnancy care
• Gynecological exams

How to improve your chances of working in this specialty:

• Medical assistant certification
• Previous hands-on training
• Medical assistant experience
• Demonstrating to an employer a strong interest in working in this specialty along with showing the capability of learning new skills and adapting to a new working environment

#2 Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine.

A medical assistant working at a chiropractic clinic will demonstrate the following skills:

• Helping patients feel safe and comfortable during therapy appointments
• Demonstrating and supervising rehabilitative exercise programs
• Developing  X-rays

How to improve your chances of working in this specialty:

• Medical assistant certification
• Previous hands-on training
• Medical assistant experience
• Demonstrating to an employer a strong interest in working in this specialty along with showing the capability of learning new skills and adapting to a new working environment

# 3 Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is a is a medical specialty that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eyeball.

A medical assistant working at an ophthalmology clinic will demonstrate the following skills: 

• Performing various optical diagnostic tests
• Checking vision and eye pressure
• Autoclaving surgical equipment

How to improve your chances of working in this specialty:

• Medical assistant certification
• Specialty certification from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
• Previous hands-on training
• Medical assistant experience
• Demonstrating to an employer a strong interest in working in this specialty along with showing the capability of learning new skills and adapting to a new working environment

# 4 Podiatry

Podiatry is a medical specialty that deals with the study, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg.

A medical assistant working at a podiatry clinic will demonstrate the following skills:

• Giving foot baths, clipping toenails, bandaging feet
• Taking and developing x-rays
• Casting for orthotics
• Applying casts

How to improve your chances of working in this specialty:

• Medical assistant certification
• Specialty certification from the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants
• Previous hands-on training
• Medical assistant experience
• Demonstrating to an employer a strong interest in working in this specialty along with showing the capability of learning new skills and adapting to a new working environment

# 5 Pediatrics

Pediatrics is a medical specialty that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.

A medical assistant working at a pediatric clinic will demonstrate the following skills: 

• A good understanding of childhood development as it relates to the patient’s care
• The ability to put a child (and their family) at ease during what may be frightening or painful procedures

How to improve your chances of working in this specialty:

• Medical assistant certification
• Previous hands-on training
• Medical assistant experience
• Demonstrating to an employer a strong interest in working in this specialty along with showing the capability of learning new skills and adapting to a new working environment

Medical Assisting: Careers in Healthcare with Possibilities

Specializing as a medical assistant can get you higher wages because of your specific clinical knowledge, and you’ll additionally make yourself a more marketable employee when applying for jobs.

As you start your medical assistant training — is specializing something you think you may like to do?

At this stage, it may be too early to tell, but certainly look out for your experience and interests beginning to inform how you want your career to progress.