Guide to Medical Assistant Specialties

Interested in becoming a medical assistant? Here’s what you need to know about the different kinds of medical assistants you can work to become.

Among the many exciting opportunities in the healthcare industry, medical assisting careers stand out as a dynamic, growing option for professionals looking to help others in a hands-on capacity. More than this, medical assisting offers the chance to niche your education and training to a specific area of specialization, opening the door to nuanced interests and career development. This specialization is similar to the way that doctors may choose a specialization, meaning that the first step is to obtain general certification and training. For example, someone pursuing a medical assistant certificate who is passionate about helping children could then train to become a pediatric medical assistant.

With the multitude of paths you can take during your medical assisting journey, it can be difficult to know which specialization—if any—suits your goals. To help you get started, we’ve outlined an overview of common medical assistant specialties and ways to begin your training.

In This Article

• Medical Assistant Specialties
• Traveling Medical Assistant
• OBGYN Medical Assistant
• Pediatric Medical Assistant
• Medical Assisting Roles Specific to Bodily Systems
• How to Become a Medical Assistant In Your Chosen Specialty
• Medical Assisting at CHCP

Medical Assistant Specialties

There are many specialties for aspiring medical assistants to consider. If you are working toward your Medical Assisting Certificate with The College of Healthcare Professions, you may be curious about what a specialized medical assistant does. Here are some of the most popular specialty medical assistant positions and what additional training you may need after your Medical Assisting Certificate Program.

Traveling Medical Assistant

If you’re interested in a medical assisting job that keeps you on the road, discovering new places, and helping in healthcare systems across the country, becoming a traveling medical assistant may be the right move for you. For many medical assistants, the easiest path to locating and securing contracts as a traveling medical assistant is through an agency. The main difference between becoming a certified medical assistant and a traveling medical assistant is the variety of systems you will experience and work within on a regular basis. You may be exposed to differing state regulations, internal processes, and more. If variety is your favorite spice of life, then becoming a traveling medical assistant could be just what you are looking for.

OBGYN Medical Assistant

Those passionate about women’s and uterine health may be interested in becoming an OBGYN medical assistant. As an OBGYN medical assistant, you would be expected to perform administrative and clinical tasks under the supervision of a physician. This role often requires leading with empathy and creating an environment where patients can feel safe, heard, and advocated for.

Pediatric Medical Assistant

If you love children, becoming a pediatric medical assistant could be the perfect fit. In this role, you can work directly with families and children to help them better understand the course of care their physicians are recommending and help them feel more at ease.

Bodily System-Specific Medical Assisting Positions

Some aspiring medical assistants are captivated by a specific area of medicine in a similar fashion as aspiring surgeons. If you begin your studies and realize that one area of biology or anatomy has locked in your fascination, you may be interested in pursuing a certification as a specialized medical assistant in that specific area. Some examples of these types of medical assistants include:

• Cardiology medical assistant
• Urology medical assistant
• Internal medicine medical assistant
• Orthopedic medical assistant

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Your Chosen Specialty

Before you can become a specialized medical assistant, you first have to complete a medical assistant certificate program. At The College of Healthcare Professions, we offer online and on-campus medical assisting programs designed to prepare you for the Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant Exam.

Once you are ready to enter the job market as a medical assistant, you can begin focusing on how to obtain the certifications or additional training required to become a medical assistant in your chosen specialty. While the requirements for these specializations vary across areas of focus, every specialty medical assistant must have a basic medical assisting certification as the foundational element of their career.

Ready to Pursue Your Passion for Helping Others?

The College of Healthcare Professions is here to help you turn your passion for helping others into a fruitful and fulfilling career. Become a medical assistant in as few as 36 weeks and begin working toward your chosen specialty in the field faster. Apply today and take the first step toward your future.