Kelly Said:

Should i become a medical office assistant while i wait?

We Answered:

if you ask any professional they'll most likely say they started off as an medical office assistant. gain experience by learning the terminology. Even better work as a transporter in radiology at a hospital. you can learn more about radiology by watching first hand how its done.
good luck

Shawn Said:

In your office, what are your career-growth option as a Medical Front Office Assistant?

We Answered:

Twenty+ years ago I started by career as a Medical front office assistant in a group physician office. I quickly learned tasks of the other people in the office as well and did transcription, billing, etc.

Now... I'm the Director of Medical Staff Services at a hospital, responsible for a medical staff of 200+ physicians. Never stop learning and you'll have many career opportunities in front of you

Brittany Said:

Medical office assistant as a pathway to nursing?

We Answered:

First, I have no idea what a "research nurse" is. Do you mean your goal is to become a Registered Nurse? A background as a medical office assistant would be no more useful to you than if you worked in a popcorn shop. You don't need any particular work experience to get into nursing school; you need academic credits. Usually, they require a college level course in math an chemistry just to apply for a spot on the waiting list. Most nurses use the waiting period to get their other college courses finished. You'll need English, math, microbiology, anatomy & physiology, more chemistry, sociology, a humanity such as philosophy or logic and reasoning, political science, etc. There is a lot of non-nursing stuff to be gotten. You CAN work while you're going through school, but don't plan on working full-time because you're going to have your hands full with study and course work. If you have good academic credentials, you won't be rejected from nursing school.

Nathan Said:

Is a medical office assistant a good job? Would there be a better carrer to try to get into?

We Answered:

Well, i am going into the medical assisting program, and for me i can then either go into the medical field or the administration route. You could specialize in billing and coding, insurance, or even be the administrator for a certain wing of the hospital. Just depends on what you find you have the best knack for.

Marilyn Said:

which career? eye doctor, real estate agent, medical office assistant, dental assistant, or massage therapist?

We Answered:

Real Estate Agent
Stability week. Banks getting bailed out, and homes getting foreclosed. Tough times. However, highly profitable for given areas.

Medical Office Assistant
Stable. Easy to get in and move to another place. However, demand is low because so easy to do. Most people just go to a 2 year school and try to find that. Wages, not very good. Probably bring home a 1000 at best most small private places each pay check.

Dental Assistant
Stable. Easy to get in and move to another place. Demand is very low. Considering don't need a degree. Some dentist just do on the job training.

Eye Doctor
IMO, stable, and profitable. Easy to get into, and not much required resource wise. Not a bad choose if you can put the resournces into it.

Massage Therapist
Probably the safest to do. Doesn't take long to get certified, and easily can find a job somewhere like a spa, hospital, cruise resort etc. Downside, unless you open your own spot, not highly profitable. But at the same time, not much cost to give a massage.

Between the two, I would go with eye doctor just based on stability and earning potential.

Marsha Said:

starting nursing career as a Medical office assistant?

We Answered:

I agree with the other postee that suggested instead considering getting training to become a CNA (certified nurse's aide) as that may be much more relevant if wanting to further one's education to become an RN. With the medical (office) assistant field, unfortunately, there aren't supposed to be too many jobs despite what those private $$ career/tech schools proclaim. Please do talk with a student advisor at the college about your career goals and plans too. If already getting one's associate degree, perhaps the student may consider getting one's degree in medical office assistant while taking the required prerequisites for an RN degree. Please make sure that whichever training program that you're considering is accredited within the industry.

For general career info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and can type into search.

US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ