Exploring Pathways for Advancing Your Medical Assisting Career

Medical Biller or Coder

Becoming a medical coder or biller generally requires earning a certification such as certified coding associate (CCA), certified medical biller (CPB) or certified professional coder (CPC). In order to be more competitive in the job market, a medical assistant with an interest in coding might pursue an associate degree in medical coding.

Once certified, the clinical knowledge of a medical assistant may be helpful in communicating to potential employers your understanding of the healthcare industry. As a medical coder, you'd know how the complexities and importance of accurate coding can drive reimbursement and a facility’s bottom line.

• Required Education: Certificate program in medical billing or coding
• Recommended Education: Associate degree in medicall billing or coding
• Education Timeline: 1-2 Years
• Experience Required: None
• Difference in Average Annual Pay: $10,390 per year compared to medical assistants. BLS does not track the average salary of medical billers and coders specifically. They’re considered medical records specialists. (BLS, May 2022)

Coding Manager or Medical Billing Manager

For those with deeper interest in medical billing and coding on the leadership side, management is another career option. A bachelor’s degree in medical billing and coding can open up possibilities such as managing medical practice administration, or having a staff of coders and others reporting to you.

To advance within the world of healthcare administration and management, a master’s in business administration (MBA) provides a wealth of knowledge about the business and financial side of healthcare, including the regulatory issues that directly affect physician and provider reimbursement.

• Required Education: Bachelor of medical billing
• Recommended Education: Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)
• Education Timeline: 4-6 Years
• Experience Required: At least 5 years of medical billing and coding experience
• Difference in Average Annual Pay: BLS does not collect the data on clinical nurse specialists specifically, but according to Payscale data from October 2023, coding managers make about $76,580 more per year than medical assistants, or $25,490 more per year than medical records specialists. Medical billing managers make about $18,620 more annually than medical assistants or $8,230 more annually than medical records specialists (Payscale, October 2023).

Medical and Health Services Managers

Practice managers oversee the daily operations of healthcare facilities or practices. This role provides steady and effective leadership on both the clinical and the operations side of medical facilities. Communication skills, attention to detail, conflict resolution, and problem-solving are essential for this (and any) leadership position.

A master’s in healthcare administration (MHA) is an educational path that opens up many possibilities if you seek to make a difference as a healthcare leader. Prior knowledge of direct patient care is definitely a plus in this type of position since it provides insight into how a practice runs from the clinical perspective.

• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree

• Recommended Education: MHA degree
• Education Timeline: 4-6 years
• Experience Required: Less than 5 years of experience in nursing or medical billing and coding
• Difference in Average Annual Pay: $87,280 per year compared to medical assistants, $76,890 compared to medical records specialists, and $29,480 compared to charge nurses (BLS, May 2022)

Radiology Technologist

X-ray technologists perform diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. Since ordering physicians and the radiologists who interpret the results rely on the accuracy of these tests, the role of the X-ray technologist is central to obtaining correct diagnoses.

Attention to detail, the ability to give clear instructions, and the capacity to be patient and compassionate with patients undergoing testing, are all key for X-ray technologists’ success.

Becoming an X-ray technician requires an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology, followed by certification.

With 6% projected job growth between 202 and 2032, X-ray technologists will continue to be in demand.

• Required Education: Associate degree in sonography
• Recommended Education: Bachelor’s degree in radiology
• Education Timeline: 1-4 Years
• Experience Required: None
• Difference in Average Annual Pay: $29,540 per year compared to medical assistants (BLS, May 2022)

Medical Laboratory Technician or Technologist

Becoming a laboratory technician means being a valuable member of the healthcare team. This role takes samples of patients’ blood, urine, tissue, and other body fluids in order to help physicians understand patients’ symptoms or disease state.The doctor relies on the lab technician to correctly and accurately obtain laboratory samples in order to proceed with the correct treatment.

Technicians who can perform tests with accuracy and reliability will be highly successful. Lab technicians must be able to put patients of all ages at ease, explain the process of obtaining test samples, and treat patients with kindness, dignity, and respect throughout the testing process.

• Required Education: Associate degree in health science
• Recommended Education: Bachelor’s degree in health science
• Education Timeline: 1-4 years
• Experience Required: None
• Difference in Average Annual Pay: $18,430 per year compared to medical assistants (BLS, May 2022)

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists (RTs) work with patients of all ages who have issues related to breathing. A bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy is highly recommended, although some RTs find work with an associate degree. However, a master’s degree will put the therapist at a significant advantage in competitive job markets.

RTs can work with patients ranging from premature babies in the NICU to those who are very elderly. Some RTs work with patients in sleep labs, whereas others prefer the high-adrenaline area of ground and air transport in ambulances, helicopters, or fixed-wing aircraft.

Individuals who love science coupled with direct patient care will thrive in respiratory therapy.

• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
• Recommended Education: Master’s degree
• Education Timeline: 1-4 years
• Experience Required: None
• Difference in Average Annual Pay: $33,610 per year compared to medical assistants (BLS, May 2022)

Dental Hygienist

To become a dental hygienist, the individual must earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.

Since dental hygienists work in very close quarters with dental patients who are often anxious and frightened, they need a calming and friendly bedside manner and be able to quickly establish rapport. Dental hygiene is highly detailed work that requires patience, excellent hand-eye coordination, strong communication skills, and physical stamina.

• Required Education: Dental hygienist program
• Recommended Education: Same
• Education Timeline: 3 Years
• Experience Required: None
• Difference in Average Annual Pay: $44,160 per year compared to medical assistants (BLS, May 2022)

Physician Assistant

A physician assistant (PA) is a master’s-prepared healthcare provider who, like a nurse practitioner, is able to assess patients’ symptoms, order tests and labs, diagnose diseases and conditions, and prescribe medications.

Unlike nurse practitioners, PAs do not enjoy full practice authority in any U.S. states or territories, thus they always require a level of physician supervision based on each state’s regulations.

To become a PA, it is necessary to earn a master’s degree from an accredited PA program. Since PAs are specifically hands-on clinicians, skills in physical assessment, communication, and collaboration are crucial, as well as other knowledge and skill sets learned in the course of a PA graduate program.

• Required Education: Master’s degree
• Recommended Education: Same
• Education Timeline: 4-6 Years
• Experience Required: None
• Difference in Average Annual Pay: $84,570 per year compared to medical assistants (BLS, May 2022)