Medical assistants (MAs) are a rapidly growing and increasingly important workforce. High MA turnover, however, is common and employers report applicants frequently do not meet their needs. We collected survey… Click to show full abstract
Medical assistants (MAs) are a rapidly growing and increasingly important workforce. High MA turnover, however, is common and employers report applicants frequently do not meet their needs. We collected survey responses from a representative sample of 3,355 of Washington’s MAs with certified status (MA-Cs) to understand their demographic, education, and employment backgrounds; job satisfaction; and career plans. Descriptive analyses showed 93.0% were female with a $19.91 mean hourly wage, and while generally satisfied, 56.2% indicated they would seek training or employment in another health care occupation within 5 years, with higher percentages among MA-Cs who felt overwhelmed by their workload and/or not satisfied with promotion opportunities. Regression analyses showed Hispanic, Black, and Asian MA-Cs were more likely than White MA-Cs to express interest in other health care careers. Strategies that strengthen MA career pathways and retain qualified workers should reward both employers and MAs and contribute to a stable and diverse workforce.
               
Click one of the above tabs to view related content.