r/MedicalAssistant • u/Majestic_Dot1991 • 4d ago

RANT Tired of feeling replaceable

We are the Frontline workers of any office and it often feels like we are the most replaceable, our job security is almost 0 imo. Ive had multiple ma jobs and all it takes is one supervisor or higher up to not like you and then suddenly your out of a job.

Segwaying Into pay, they choose to pay us dirt wages on average. Meanwhile the doctors cant run a clinic themselves and the managers dont know half the shit we deal with and actually do.

Im just kind of tired of it.

46 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

12

u/Gryffindumble 4d ago

Thats why i reverted to caregiving. Much better job security. Every office i worked at had a supervisor change and when that happens, they change everything, including the staff. Over it.

1

u/Ok_Swimming4471 1d ago

Hi! How do you start caregiving as an MA? Also, is it usually 9-5 or are the hours flexible (3/12s, 4/10s)?

2

u/Gryffindumble 1d ago

Depends on what type of work setting. I have worked at assisted livings as a caregiver and Medication Aid (i personally don't like the shifts they offer). Those places tend to offer 6-2, 2-10, and 10-6 as well as a need to work one weekend day.

I currently do in home setting, have one client 5 days a week so its pretty solid.

Most of these types of places will jump all over the opportunity to hire an MA because they know you are likely reliable and professional.

The downside can be that you are left knowing you can do much more that what you get to do in these settings.

The upside is the job security.

1

u/Ok_Swimming4471 1d ago

Thank you! I’ll have to take a look into that. I thought you could only do caregiving if you were a CNA. I’m still in school but it’s good to know there are other things you can do with your certification.

10

u/bloodinthecentrifuge 4d ago

Consider unionizing. It’s hard af to do, but the support and protections put in place can be worth it.

4

u/Agreeable-Pop5415 4d ago

Easier said than done. I am too in the south and we are against unions sadly smh.

2

u/bloodinthecentrifuge 2d ago

Literally everything is easier said than done. It is easier to talk about brushing your teeth than doing it. The beginning of unionizing isn’t announcing “hey everyone let’s start a union!” The beginning is entering in to conversation and relationship with your colleagues. What excites you about your job? What keeps you up at night? And listening to their stories. And then inviting them to think of ways that you can work together to improve your working conditions. It is a loooong process. It requires heart and dedication. There are more of us than there are of them.

4

u/Majestic_Dot1991 4d ago

I would absolutely love to unionize. The problem is is i'm in a southern state. And that makes it ten times more difficult. Unfortunately

5

u/Agreeable-Pop5415 4d ago edited 4d ago

Low barrier to entry. That’s the only reason they can get away with it. Jobs with low barriers to entry are the most replaceable and the most disrespected roles to work in. Blame the toxic hierarchy in medicine that was created on purpose and why the environment is set up that way.

I’ve been feeling this way since Covid, and I’m finally doing something about it. I’ll be graduating with my accounting degree in 2028!

Go to school for something else that’s not supporting someone with a license. It’s the only way you can get out of that those environments and you can move up and get paid better!!! Support roles are the absolute worst!!

3

u/Majestic_Dot1991 4d ago

I'm going back to school, trying to get my business degree at this point. But it's harder than it looks, and with out support from other family, and things like that, it makes it difficult for me. Im doing the best I can right now though by taking th3 clep exams

7

u/lurrainn CCMA 4d ago

Don’t want to discourage you but if you go for business, you better have something exact lined up for the future. I have a business masters w a focus in healthcare admin and I could not get out of the scheduling call center or front desk jobs, just no upward mobility. I became a medical asst after that

2

u/Majestic_Dot1991 4d ago

Whaaaaat? That's ehat I was going for.

3

u/Agreeable-Pop5415 4d ago

It’s going to be hard of course but there’s a light at that end of tunnel!!! Do not give up whatsoever there’s better jobs out there than medical assisting!! How are you attending school? My program is 100% online and hybrid but I only have to be on teams for the hybrid courses not online. I’m going school for free because my Pell grant and loans literally covers my balance!!! My state also has a workforce scholarship statewide program for all technical colleges and pretty much that made all programs at my school FREE!!! If cost is the issue I would look at those programs your state offers, scholarships, employment tuition reimbursement or assistance! Don’t give up!

7

u/According-Ad5312 4d ago

Every medical staff including nurses are expendable now.

2

u/Majestic_Dot1991 3d ago

Which os so sad. I wish, as bad as it would be, we could go on strike. They've proven they dont care about us.

5

u/follypink 4d ago

I agree, this is part of the reason I quit

2

u/QueasyHospital14 RMA 4d ago

I agree as well it’s rough when pts think that you don’t know what you’re talking about because you’re not a provider. The only reason I’m holding on is for med school clinical hours

1

u/Majestic_Dot1991 3d ago

My issues right now are with my manager and some of the other cororpoate roles.

3

u/WeeklyAnalyst3143 3d ago

I hear you ! Ive dealth with the toxicity, the chaos. Did that for 5x years where the providers look for you to handle what evr came their way. moved to the hosptal w higher pay and Less work !!! Ftw Tx