Your medical assistant degree from Prism Career Institute is only the beginning of a promising career in the field, and it can take you into many different areas of specialty. One area on the rise is pediatrics, which in recent years has been hiring more and more medical assistants to work with children of all ages. Though a career as a medical assistant can be extremely rewarding, there are several things you should be aware of if you’re planning on working as a pediatric medical assistant. Here, we’ll help give you a clear picture of the work and its demands.
Why Is there a Growing Need for Pediatric Medical Assistants?
Many potential students are attracted to the medical field because of its fast growth. This is especially true for medical assistants, as the Department of Labor projects 29% growth in the field between 2016 and 2026. In general, there is also a great need for all healthcare providers specializing in pediatrics, suggesting that this field will continue to expand for quite some time.
In part, this is due to an increase in children with chronic conditions and special medical needs, which necessitate expert care. The technical skills required to work with children and adults may be the same in many ways, but it takes special care to work with kids. All medical assistants tackle a wide range of duties, from maintaining electronic health records and scheduling appointments to assisting with procedures and explaining care instructions. Pediatric medical assistants, however, must bring an added degree of sensitivity to their work.
Seeking medical care can be stressful for children and their parents alike, and the medical assistant may be the first person they interact with at a clinic or hospital. In these situations, your facility will be counting on you to make their experience as positive as possible.
Desired Skills and Qualities
So what does it take to be a successful pediatric medical assistant? You’ll need all the standard clinical and administrative skills, plus a few extra capabilities to accommodate kids and teens. Some of the specialized skills that will help you do this job well include:
- A strong understanding of pediatric physical, intellectual and emotional development
- A calm demeanor
- The ability to approach stressful situations with kindness, compassion and good humor
- Plenty of patience
- Strong communication skills with children, such as speaking to them at eye level, using clear, age-appropriate language, careful listening and more
Additionally, if you envision yourself working as a pediatric medical assistant, you should possess a genuine love of working with children and a strong dedication to their health and well-being. If this describes you, there’s no doubt you’ll find the work extremely rewarding and enjoy a long, successful career.
Earn Your Medical Assistant Diploma
Pursuing a career as a pediatric medical assistant is a great way to challenge yourself, help others and constantly learn new things. If you’re eager to get started, contact Prism Career Institute to request information about our medical assistant program. With campuses in West Atlantic City and Cherry Hill, NJ, it’s easy to find a program close to home that teaches all the skills you need to succeed. Not sure medical assisting is right for you? Take our online quiz to learn more.