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Additionally, MA job opportunities are projected to grow 15% through 2033, which is much faster than average for all occupations. For those interested in becoming a PCT, that job growth is currently projected at 4%, which is average for all occupations. Many individuals are choosing these careers because they can specialize and increase their marketability and salary potential through certification.

If you want to enter a top-ranking industry in the U.S., known for having ‘faster than average growth opportunities’ and for being consistently in demand, keep reading and learn how you can start your career in the healthcare field!

What is a Medical Assistant?

As a medical assistant, you’re considered an allied health professional, which means you are a healthcare professional who uses “scientific principles and evidence-based practice for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic diseases; promote disease prevention and wellness for optimum health, and apply administration and management skills to support health care systems in a variety of settings.”. Although medical assistants do not diagnose or determine treatment plans, their work directly supports the patient care team (e.g., physicians, nurses), as well as the patients themselves.

Medical assistants work in a variety of settings, but the most common are physician offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers. They typically perform both clinical and administrative tasks, which gives them a more versatile daily schedule.

Medical assistants typically earn a training certificate or associate degree to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful. They also will likely earn an industry certification to further demonstrate their skills and dedication to the profession.

Aside from interpersonal skills, an MA training program will typically teach students a combination of clinical and administrative skills such as:

• Medical terminology
• Basic life support (BLS)
• Vital signs measurement
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) setup and use
• Medical coding basics
• Scheduling and appointment setting

Depending on the program type, new medical assistants may begin their career in as little as a few months (certificate programs) or two years (associate degree program).

What Is a Patient Care Technician?

A patient care technician (PCT) is a paraprofessional that focuses on providing patient care, assisting with activities of daily living, and supporting the healthcare team. These professionals work alongside physicians and other clinical staff, with their primary function to provide support for all aspects of a patient's physical health and general areas of wellness.

Patient care technicians work primarily in nursing care facilities, hospitals, or retirement communities. Similar to an MA, a PCT will have some direct patient care responsibilities, but not to the same level as an MA. For example, they may help patients eat or bathe, reposition or transfer, and generally handle basic care tasks. They also may measure vital signs. But unlike an MA, they typically do not handle more advanced clinical tasks such as wound care.

A patient care technician certificate program is typically required to enter this field and can often be completed in six months or less.

In a PCT training program, students can expect to learn:

• Medical Terminology
• First-aid administration
• Infection Control & Safety
• Nutrition
• Medical Ethics
• EKG administration
• Mobility & Care

Whether you take the PCT or MA path, you will get to work with patients, physicians, and families or caregivers. In either role, you will be an integral part of the patient’s initial care.

MA vs. PCT: Typical daily activities

As a medical assistant, you can expect to work in the front or back office in an administrative capacity as well as alongside the healthcare team (e.g., physician(s), nurse(s)) to support direct patient care.

Some of the clinical skills you can expect to perform include:

• Removing sutures
• Preparing treatment sites
• Assisting with examinations, as needed
• Preparing blood samples for the lab

As for the administrative side of things, you can expect to:

• Handle patient scheduling
• Update Electronic Health or Medical Record (EHR/EMR)
• Keep patient medical records current

As a patient care technician, you will be focused on delivering optimized patient care. For example, you can expect to:

• Prepare patients for exams and procedures
• Assist with personal care
• Take fluid samples or specimens, as needed
• Ensure the sanitation of exam rooms
• Monitor vital signs

Whether you take the PCT or MA path, you will get to work with patients, physicians, and families or caregivers. In either role, you will be an integral part of the patient’s initial care.

Which Option is the Right One for You?

Jobs in healthcare are expected to grow much faster than average through 2033, with a projected 1.9 million job openings expected each year, on average. This means that if you’re ready to pivot into the industry or onto a new path from your current job in healthcare, the chances of finding a quick job placement are strong. As a patient care technician, your day-to-day responsibilities will center around direct patient care. As a medical assistant, you will do exactly that, assist with functions of a medical practice which usually entails both patient care and administrative tasks.

Base your choice between the two on how you would prefer your day to be structured. To make the choice easier…keep a few things in mind:

• Work environment: medical assistant can be found most often in a physician’s office, hospital, or outpatient care center, while a patient care technician often works in a nursing care facility/assisted living, hospital, or retirement community.
• Work hours: Medical assistants often work in a physician office or outpatient center, which typically require more traditional business hours; a patient care technician will often work in assisted living or retirement communities, which may require working days, evenings, weekends, and even holidays.
• Level of patient interaction: Medical assistants will typically have shorter, more focused interactions with patients as they support the initial administrative intake information or specific procedures. A patient care technician, on the other hand, will usually have longer, more sustained interactions, especially for patients that need support with daily activities.
• Salary potential: Medical assistants, on average, earn approximately $5,000 more in annual salary than a patient care technician.
• Career advancement: Both roles enable individuals to gain valuable patient care experience and exposure to the healthcare system and environment, which will provide a solid foundation that will allow them to pursue different or more advanced roles. For example, a medical assistant may choose to move into healthcare office management, health education, or even nursing. A patient care technician may choose to advance to a medical assistant, nursing, or other clinical roles. These career moves will require additional investment in training.

Recession-Proofing Your Carer

If you want to become a medical assistant or a patient care technician, both are in demand with no sign of slowing down any time soon. If you are still undecided after learning about both roles, ask yourself a simple question; “Do I see myself only working with patients, or do I also want to administratively support the practice that I will be working in?”

Start working towards your future and start our online medical assistant school or online patient care technician school today!