Men vs. Woman in Medical Assisting

Historically, men have been discouraged to enter care-giving and nursing careers, let alone become a medical assistant! Nobody knows for sure what the number of men working in medical assisting actually is, but it is safe to say it still remains remarkably low in comparison to the number of women who work in this traditionally female dominated discipline.

Although when asked, men agree that they are very interested in the medical assistant occupation, however when looking at realistically one can only assume that men are not offered the same job opportunities as their female counter parts in the medical assistant field.

Male Medical Assistants

Study after study demonstrates that misconceptions about men in the medical assistant profession still exist. The initial study held in June 2003 revealed that male students made up less than 10 percent in courses offering medical assisting training! Despite of their expressed interest in the profession men have historically been discouraged and frequently denied access to medical assisting training and the workforce.

In EEOC v. LA Weight Loss (D. Md. Dec. 1, 2008) , EEOC alleged that a chain of weight loss counseling centers with facilities in 21 states had a companywide policy of refusing to hire men into the positions of medical assistant, trainer, sales counselor and various management positions. Both applicant flow and census data showed that men were not hired consistent with their availability and employees were told by managers that defendant was not interested in hiring men because management believed that female clients responded better to female counselors.

Weisy wrote this:
No wonder so many can't find a job  Sep 15th, 2007 - 1:15 AM

"... my medical assistant externship was in a physical rehabilitation clinic. I worked the front desk, but my back office was conducted in giving pool therapy classes and assisting the physical therapists. I also have worked in cardiology, mental health, and in internal medicine (government facility). I'm considered to be a nursing assistant, not an MA. Still, no matter where I worked - I always gave it my best. It is all healthcare! I graduated at the age of 49 and I'm a male." -- Weisy
 

"So, what's going on?"

It might be the lack of employer's awareness and acceptance of men in this field, and the notion that men who display caring attitudes toward sick and elderly people aren't real men that keeps the number of men in the medical assistant profession so low... Men often have a hard time finding other men who are willing to talk about working in care giving roles. The situation is perpetuated by highly feminized images and pictures in the media and in magazines showing almost always women in nursing and healthcare jobs.

 Could It Be Deep Rooted? The persistence of misconceptions and cultural bias plays a big role. Not only employers have certain misconceptions about what a medical assistant should look like and men in scrubs, but also educators.

 

 Could It Be Stereotypical and Sexist? Another reason why few men are found working in medical offices are false ideas about the role and function of men in a medical office. Employers believe that nursing and medical procedures best belong into the hands of a woman.

 Could It Be The Way Doctors Hire? Each employer begins the selection of possible candidates with a well-established system of beliefs about what a medical assistant should look like. During the pre-employment interview it is the interviewer's deep rooted stereotypical misconceptions and concerns about the stigma of a man's suitability for the medical office environment which is hindering the male applicant's efforts when applying. And when you have a male healthcare provider heading a medical office the picture of a friendly smiling female welcoming patients is what they envision (sexism). Even most female healthcare providers running a medical office see it this way.

 Could It Be Unequal Pay? Wages play another important role when jobs are being sought. Pay inequity may easily be another contributing factor for men shying away from the medical assisting career. Traditionally men are the main breadwinner of the family and so they need jobs that pay well. However, employers rarely pay more than what they must, and do not always offer additional benefits. Relatively low hourly wages for medical assistants and lack of benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation, sick days, and group retirement plans are not attracting men in those positions.

Misconceptions About Male Medical Assistants

Misconceptions and social taboos that keep men out of the medical assistant profession should be identified, addressed and corrected. Accurate information about career training opportunities, challenges and rewards of working in medical office setting and clinics should be provided. Think about it! The healthcare industry is booming and you want to land a better job… but with a large number of other medical assistants applying for the same jobs and competing with you, you HAVE to your part to set yourself apart from the rest, or otherwise you may quickly find yourself left behind.

Positive Role Models for Men

One way to change the public's way of seeing men in scrubs would be through positive role models and a more proactive approach toward men in the media: videos, graphics and publications should show men and women performing clinical and administrative tasks and communicate that hiring men is a positive move.

Malema wrote us this:
Sep 17th, 2007 - 7:31 PM

No wonder so many can't find a job
I am a male medical assistant in a doctor's office. I am responsible for a lady CRNP. I work with her all the time. I do all back offices jobs except for EKG's (hospital policy). I have been in this office almost 3 years now. I am the only male in the practice except for the 1 male MD. If they need anything I am the one that has to move or pickup the object. I am also responsible for ordering and maintaining the vaccine used for shots in the practice. I considered moving to another facility in the hospital...

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