Vocational Training for Male Medical Assistants

Although the job market for men in medical assisting is far better today than it was in the past men are still denied full and equal participation in many aspects of this rewarding career, despite of their interest. Most employers just cannot seem to be able to picture a male medical assistant in their medical practice. Others seem intimidated by the thought of a man in scrubs greeting and caring for their patients.

Advertising Medical Assistant Jobs for Males

Vocational training and educational programs should set enrollment goals for male students and actively recruit them. Schools should advertise at places where men can be found such as colleges, newspapers and magazines for men. The number of male faculties (MA instructors) teaching the medical assistant curriculum should be increased to support the men in the profession as role models.

Men ONLY!

Sailors and Marines: Sailors and Marines practice a broad range of skills designed to integrate the Navy and Marine Corps ships and units into one cohesive, battle-ready team. If you are working as a medical assistant on a U.S. Navy submarine chances are you are a man. At present women cannot serve in submarines! For that to happen the Navy would have to redesign its entire fleet of submarines to accommodate female recruits.

US Navy Medical Assistants

A U.S. Navy medical assistant is part of a team that is responsible for the radiological and environmental safety of the crew on a ship or submarine vessel. Their duties involve first aid and medical assisting skills, as well as radiation safety and atmosphere control. They also provide the engineering department with technical advice on the safe operating parameters of the reactor cooling system.

  Male Medical Assistants 

What Should We Tell Men Interested in Medical Assisting?

It is probably easier to tell you what not to say to men that are interested in a medical assisting career! Don't say, it's so nice to have a man around, or you're not like all those other men. By saying these things you are somehow separating these men from the rest. Male medical assistants aren't any different from others. If medical assisting is to fulfill its potential of providing quality care in a modern healthcare system, then sincere efforts should be made to attract, recruit and train more men into available medical assisting positions.

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

No wonder so many men 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...

Sad But True! Where Are the Men?

Sep 27th, 2004 - 6:39 PM

Well, that is exactly what is happening to male Medical Assistants. We sometimes outshine our female counterparts and still get passed over. That's exactly what has been happening to me. But I have now learned to become creative. I will list a few things that may help all male MAs:

1. Become certified
2. Try looking outside of the box and work as a Paramedical Examiner for companies like Port-a- Medic where you get paid for doing basic exams venipunctures, recording vitals, EKGs, urine collection, and specimen collection for life insurance purposes. Pay between $18-$25 per exam!
3. Open your own clinic, become your own boss, and hire Dr's, LPN's RN's and MA's. Yes, MA's can own a clinic and run it!
4. Be inventive and open your own Wellness and Compliance company. Go from home to home or community to community helping and educating people about hypertension, healthy eating etc., to help people to help themselves. You do not diagnose! Run a blood pressure station, cholesterol checks and blood sugar test for a small fee and advise those with problems to seek professional help. Do not misrepresent yourself or diagnose; that's not your job, but you can help monitor.
5. You can even work in conjunction with a Medical Office or Doctor to facilitate these things.
6. Teach Medical Assisting

I am in the process of opening my own clinic and found that these things were helping me in the interim. Remember, if you can't move the mountain, go to it. 

• Correcting Stereotypical Misconceptions
  Misconceptions and social taboos keep men out of the medical assistant profession. Accurate information about career training opportunities...

• Encouraging Male Medical Assistants
  
  It's probably easier to tell you what not to say to men that are interested in a medical assisting career. Don't say, it's so nice to have a man around...