From healthcare assistant to MPA: switching to a doctor's practice

It is possible and worthwhile to switch from a healthcare assistant (FaGe) to a medical practice assistant (MPA). Through targeted retraining or continuing education, further training, specialists acquire practical skills for working in medical practices, improve their job opportunities, expand their medical knowledge and benefit from attractive working hours.

Many healthcare professionals would like to take the next step in their career and work in a doctor's surgery. This often raises questions:

  • Can healthcare assistants work as MPAs?
  • Is retraining necessary?
  • What further training opportunities are there for changing practices?

This article provides an overview of the requirements, options and advantages of retraining from a healthcare assistant to an MPA.

In principle, healthcare professionals can apply for positions as medical practice assistants. Both professional groups work closely with patients and have basic medical knowledge as well as practical experience in nursing and care.

However, the areas of responsibility differ:
While healthcare assistants mainly work in care facilities or hospitals, medical assistants in doctors' surgeries take on additional tasks such as:

  • Practice administration and patient admission
  • Organization and assistance during consultation hours
  • Carrying out laboratory analyses
  • X-ray and technical examinations

These skills are not fully included in the training for healthcare assistants - which is why many practices prefer applicants with the relevant additional qualifications.

Anyone who wants to work as a medical practice assistant in a doctor's surgery benefits from targeted continuing education, further training. The "Medical Practice Assistant" retraining and re-entry course is specially designed for professionals who have completed basic training in the healthcare sector.

This course provides practical knowledge on topics such as:

  • Practice organization and billing
  • Communication with patients
  • Laboratory tests and diagnostics
  • Hygiene, X-ray and emergency management

The retraining course thus prepares students optimally for the requirements of a doctor's practice - and opens up new career prospects in the healthcare sector.

Retraining as an MPA offers several advantages:

  • Increased job opportunities: With additional specialist knowledge, the chances of employment in medical practices increase significantly.
  • Career diversityThe combination of nursing and practical experience makes graduates particularly versatile.
  • Attractive working hoursMany people in medical practices appreciate the regular working hours compared to shift work in hospitals.
  • Professional developmentContinuing education, further training promotes new skills and deepens medical knowledge.

The change from healthcare assistant to medical assistant is possible and particularly promising if targeted continuing education, further training is completed. By acquiring practical skills, it is not only possible to enter a new field of work, but also to develop personally and professionally.

Tip: Find out early on about suitable continuing education, further training in the healthcare sector and check whether there are any funding opportunities or credits for your previous professional experience. This will give you the best possible start to your new professional future in a doctor's surgery.

Under the link you will find current courses and schools:

  • Free and non-binding contact via inquiry form
  • Detailed information on course content, duration and requirements
  • Possibility to clarify open questions directly with the school

Provider MPA courses

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Author:

Ladina Gianom

Ladina Gianom, Educational Counseling, Content-Team Modula AG

Publication:

2.11.2025

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