Medical assistants are allied health specialists who assist doctors and other healthcare professionals. They carry out administrative and clinical duties to ensure the smooth operation of medical offices, podiatry clinics, chiropractic offices, and other healthcare facilities.
Medical assistants have a variety of tasks that vary from office to office. Still, they typically take and record patients’ medical histories, monitor their vital signs, prepare them for exams, and gather and process lab specimens. Additionally, to handle other office duties, medical assistants bill patients and book appointments.
The need for medical assistants is anticipated to increase due to population aging and the rise in people with chronic illnesses. Medical assistant employment is expected to increase by 23% between 2016 and 2026, substantially faster than the average for all occupations.
A medical career can be started by training to be a medical assistant. Hospitals, clinics, and minor and major medical practice practices employ medical assistants. Some medical assistants work in specialized fields like obstetrics or ophthalmology.
What Is the Role of a Medical Assistant?
A crucial part of the healthcare team is the medical assistant. They carry out several administrative and clinical activities to maintain the smooth operation of a doctor’s, physician’s, or other health practitioner’s office.
Although a physician assistant’s responsibilities differ from office to office, there are several similar tasks that they frequently complete. These duties include: – Taking calls and setting up appointments – Checking patients in and out – Updating patient medical records – Dealing with insurance paperwork – Helping with small office jobs – Sterilising medical equipment.
Multitasking skills and attention to detail are required of medical assistants. Excellent customer service abilities and the capacity to remain composed under pressure are requirements. Even while some medical assistants might have had on-the-job training, the majority have a postsecondary education.
This article will help you better understand what medical assistants perform and what the work includes if you consider becoming one.
Jobs for Medical Assistants
Medical assistants are allied health specialists that assist doctors and other healthcare providers, typically in outpatient clinics. In addition to taking and documenting patients’ vital signs and medical histories, they also schedule appointments, prepare patients for exams, help with office procedures, and handle correspondence.
Typically, medical assistants work in clinics, hospitals, and other outpatient care settings. They could be in charge of several duties, such as welcoming clients, making appointments, gathering vital signs and medical histories, preparing clients for exams, and helping with administrative work. Additionally, they could manage correspondence and carry out other administrative tasks.
Medical assistant responsibilities differ from state to state and from facility to facility. However, there are a few regular tasks that medical assistants frequently carry out. These responsibilities include taking and recording vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, and weight, as well as medical histories; setting up appointments; getting patients ready for exams; helping with office procedures like injecting patients and taking out sutures; and handling correspondence.
Medical assistants must be able to work in various locations, including hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. They must be able to function both alone and in a group. They must communicate proficiently with patients, families, and other healthcare team members.
Medical assistants must be competent in a range of clinical and administrative duties. They must be able to gather and document medical histories and vital signs. They must be able to make reservations. They must have the ability to get patients ready for exams. They must be able to support office operations. They must have communication management skills.
Medical assistants must be able to work in various environments, including hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. They must be able to function both alone and in a group. They must communicate proficiently with patients, families, and other healthcare team members.
Education Requirements for Medical Assistants
Several educational criteria must be satisfied to become a medical assistant. First and foremost, earning a high school diploma or its equivalent is crucial. The second need is finishing an approved medical assistance program. The last need for working as a medical assistant is certification.
Equivalent to a high school diploma
A high school diploma or its equivalent is a prerequisite for working as a medical assistant. To be eligible to enroll in an accredited medical assisting program, you must have completed high school or something comparable.
Program for medical assistants
After earning a high school diploma or equivalent, the next stage is to finish an approved medical assisting program. Both online and offline accredited medical assistant programs are readily available. The average length of these programs is 9 to 12 months. Students will study medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical office practices, and more during the program.
Certification
The last need for working as a medical assistant is certification. Several organizations offer certification programs, like the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA). Although not necessary in many states, certification is typically advised to increase job opportunities.
To become a medical assistant, you must fulfill several educational criteria. First and foremost, earning a high school diploma or its equivalent is crucial. The second need is finishing an approved medical assistance program. The last need for working as a medical assistant is certification.
Medical assistants must be certified.
Medical assistants can pursue several certifications to certify their abilities and develop their profession.
The top five certification choices for medical assistants are shown below:
1. A CMA, or certified medical assistant
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) grants the CMA credential. Candidates must have either finished an accredited medical assisting program or have at least five years of experience working as a medical assistant to be eligible to sit for the CMA exam. Topics like medical ethics, patient confidentiality, medical terminology, and fundamental medical techniques are included in the test.
2. RMA, or Registered Medical Assistant
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) is the organization that grants RMA accreditation. Candidates must have either finished an accredited medical assisting program or have at least two years of experience working as a medical assistant to be eligible to take the RMA exam. Medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, patient confidentiality, and office practices are among the subjects covered in the exam.
3. The NCMA, or National Certified Medical Assistant
The National Healthcare Association (NHA) provides the NCMA credential. Candidates must have either finished an accredited medical assisting program or have at least two years of experience working as a medical assistant to be eligible to take the NCMA exam. Topics covered on the exam include medical jargon, patient confidentiality, office practices in the medical field, and fundamental medical procedures.
4. A CCMA, or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
The National Healthcare Association (NHA) provides the CCMA credential. Candidates must have either finished an accredited medical assisting program or have at least one year of experience working as a medical assistant to be eligible for the CCMA exam. Topics covered on the exam include medical jargon, patient confidentiality, office practices in the medical field, and fundamental medical procedures.
5. A CMAA is a certified medical administrative assistant.
The National Healthcare Association (NHA) provides the CMAA credential. Candidates need at least one year of experience working as a medical administrative assistant to qualify for the CMAA exam.
 Assistance in medical administration. Topics like medical office practices, medical terminology, and medical ethics are included in the exam.
Salary and Job Outlook for Medical Assistants
One of the jobs with the fastest growth in the US is a medical assistant. From 2019 to 2029, the employment of medical assistants is expected to expand by 19%, substantially quicker than the average for all occupations.
There will be greater demand for preventative medical services as the baby-boom generation ages, which medical assistants frequently supply. Additionally, as doctors grow their patient bases, they will recruit more medical assistants to help with basic administrative and clinical tasks. It will free up more time for the doctors to visit patients.
In May 2019, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $34,800. The bottom 10% earned less than $25,770, while the top 10% made more than $49,610.
Most medical assistants work in private practices, clinics, medical organizations, and doctor’s offices. Others work in outpatient care facilities, hospitals, or other healthcare professionals’ offices.
Job Prospects
From 2019 to 2029, the employment of medical assistants is expected to expand by 19%, substantially faster than the average for all occupations.
There will be greater demand for preventative medical services as the baby-boom generation ages, which medical assistants frequently supply. Additionally, as doctors grow their patient bases, they will recruit more medical assistants to help with basic administrative and clinical tasks. It will free up more time for the doctors to visit patients.
In May 2019, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $34,800. The bottom 10% earned less than $25,770, while the top 10% made more than $49,610.
Most medical assistants work in private practices, clinics, medical organizations, and doctor’s offices. Others work in outpatient care facilities, hospitals, or other healthcare professionals’ offices.
States with the Highest Medical Assistant Employment
There is a great demand for medical assistants all around the United States.
The seven states with the most significant employment of medical assistants are listed below:
- California
- Texas
- Florida
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Illinois
- Ohio
With almost 86,000 medical assistants employed in the state, California has the highest employment rate. Texas comes in second place, using more than 56,000 medical assistants. With more than 50,000 medical assistants employed in the state, Florida has the third-highest level of medical assistant employment.
The final four states in the top seven for medical assistant employment are New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. More than 30,000 medical assistants are employed in each of these states.
Medical assistants are essential to the healthcare sector. They serve doctors and other medical professionals by carrying out responsibilities like collecting medical histories, making appointments, and managing medical records.
These seven states are excellent places to start your career if you want to work as a medical assistant. Due to the high employment levels, you will have plenty of options to locate a job that suits you.
Metropolitan areas where medical assistant employment is highest
The Bureau of Labour Statistics predicts a 23% increase in employment for medical assistants between 2016 and 2026, which bodes well for their future employment prospects. The average growth rate for all jobs is almost twice as high.
This anticipated growth is due to a variety of factors. A rising number of insurance plans now provide routine checkups and preventative care, which will be necessary as the baby boomer generation ages and requires more medical attention. It implies that more individuals will visit hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions, necessitating a greater demand for medical assistants to help the medical staff. If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant, you may be curious about the cities with the highest employment rates in this field.
According to data from the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), here are:
1. New York City, Newark, and Jersey City-NJ-PA
The New York metropolitan area employs over 97,000 medical assistants. It is not unexpected that this metro region is at the top of the list because it is the largest in the nation. The average annual salary for medical assistants in this region is $37,710.
2. Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim, California
More than 69,000 medical assistants are living in this metropolitan area. Here, the average yearly salary for medical assistants is $37,040.
3. Chicago, Naperville, and Elgin, IL, IN, and WI
The Chicago metropolitan region employs just over 60,000 medical assistants. Their median annual salary is $36,680.
4. Arlington, Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth)
Over 47,000 medical assistants live in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Their median annual salary is $33,900.
5. Washington, Arlington, and Alexandria in DC, VA, MD, and WV
The Washington metropolitan area employs just over 43,000 medical assistants. They make an average salary of $43,610 each year.
