According to America’s Career Infonet, job openings for medical assistants (MAs) across the country are expected to grow by a whopping 52 percent — more than almost any other job category — through the year 2014. MAs can expect to make a median salary of $12.19 an hour, or $25,400 annually.

Medical assistants have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform numerous administrative and clinical duties. They perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician.

Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing and coding for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood and administering medications as directed by physicians.

Besides working in physicians’ offices, medical assistants can work in hospitals as unit secretaries or patient care technicians, nursing homes and emergency clinics.

The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics 2006-07 Occupational Outlook Handbook’s listing for medical assistants details the nature of the work, working conditions, employment, advancement, salaries and related occupations.