Salary: Median—$24,610 per year
Employment Outlook: Excellent
Medical assistants aid physicians by performing administrative duties and handling basic clinical tasks. They work in doctors' offices, hospitals, and medical clinics, helping to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently. The job description of a medical assistant varies from office to office. Some assistants do patient and laboratory work exclusively. Others are responsible for medical records, bookkeeping, and answering phones. In most small offices, medical assistants may handle all these tasks.
Most medical assistants work in private offices. Clinical duties vary according to state law. Some medical assistants may help doctors examine and treat patients. They may check the height, weight, temperature, and blood pressure of each patient. Assistants write down patients' medical histories and run simple laboratory tests. Sometimes they answer patients' questions about medicines and treatment at home. Assistants may also give injections, apply bandages, and take X-rays. Many assistants take electrocardiograms, which measure the electrical impulses of the heart.
Medical assistants are sometimes in charge of buying and maintaining medical equipment and furniture for the doctor's office. They may also act as office managers. They plan the doctor's schedule, greet patients, file records and correspondence, and type letters and bills. Assistants keep medical records up to date and handle tax and insurance forms. At the doctor's request they arrange for laboratory tests or for a patient's admission to the hospital. In a large group practice or in a hospital clinic, the duties of the medical assistant may be divided among several assistants.
Education and Training Requirements
A high school diploma is required to enter this field. Although medical assistants can be trained on the job, most employers prefer to hire graduates of formal training programs. Vocational schools offer one-year programs resulting in a certificate or diploma. Community colleges offer two-year programs leading to an
Most medical assistants help doctors examine and treat patients. Their duties include drawing blood, giving injections, and checking the height, weight, temperature, and blood pressure of each patient.
A medical assistant can become certified or registered by various associations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants or the American Medical Technologists. This involves meeting certain training and experience requirements, as well as passing a national test. Certification and registration are not necessary for employment, but they give a person professional standing.
Getting the Job
High school placement offices may be able to help graduating students find a job. State employment offices and private employment agencies that specialize in medical job placements often list openings. In many communities, a local medical assisting association handles job openings throughout the country. Often, the local medical society serves as a clearinghouse for employment possibilities in doctors' offices. The want ads in newspapers and professional journals also list job opportunities.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
Advancement can come with experience and further training. Medical assistants who show leadership qualities can become supervisors.
The employment outlook for medical assistants is excellent. Medical assisting is projected to grow much faster than average through the year 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is expected to be one of the fastest-growing employment areas. The best job prospects are for medical assistants with formal training, experience, or both. Medical assistants with word processing and computer skills will also have an advantage.
The growing needs of an aging population combined with an increase in the number of doctors contribute to a greater demand for medical assistants. Also, more diagnostic testing and a heavier, more complex volume of paperwork will cause employment growth. Many doctors need at least one assistant, and large group practices, clinics, and hospitals need many. As the total number of jobs for medical assistants continues to grow, the high turnover rate in the occupation will also create many openings each year.
Working Conditions
Doctors' offices, hospitals, and clinics are busy and challenging places in which to work. The duties are generally varied. Medical assistants typically work forty hours per week. Those who work in private offices may work some evenings and Saturdays.
Earnings and Benefits
Earnings depend on training, experience, size of practice, and geographic location. Medical assistants who have an associate degree generally earn more than those who have little or no training. The median income for medical assistants was $24,610 per year in 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wages are typically higher in the Northeast and the West. Benefits usually include paid holidays and vacations. Medical assistants who work for clinics, hospitals, and group practices also receive health insurance and pension plans.
User Comments Add a comment…
9 days ago
serita angeliceyes26 ((at)) yahoo dot com
hey all being an MA is great it has alot as most of you mention it has great opportunities i had stay with the clinic where i did my intership for 8yrs then i lef and started with a great company as an RMA without an associate then move up as an senior RMA then Supervisor to my fellow co worker now i am a clinical manager supervising 7 clinics very very haapy but as an MA you start with 15-16 an hr then move up depends where you work but you learn alot i also now hire MAs still looking for 2 more if anyone is intrested:)
4 months ago
Paul prl1957 ((at)) hotmail dot com
Medical asistant with a associate degree is good also if you become register.with a certificate you make only 17 and with a degree 28 to 30 a hour. in NY NY.so what is better. some of the good school in NY is Bramson ort if you dont have you Hs diploma and also if you dont know english they help you.and ASA is another one good for medical assistant if you dont have your ged they give a test atps test. good I hope this help you.
4 months ago
jessica lilt3aser_17 ((at)) yahoo dot com
hi my name is jessica and im an r.o.p student. i study hospital carriers and my goal is to be a medical assistant. and iwould like too knoe how much they make an hour and how much they make a year. so if u can please let me me knoe and leave me a comment above. its for a report i have to do. thank you.
6 months ago
Kevin kpalm17 ((at)) yahoo dot com
Hi my name in Kevin. I just started a program in Minneapolis and will have my AS degree in about 18 months going to class one night a week and maintaining my current job during the day. The program requires an externship where the University places you in a hospital or clinic for training. Most graduates find jobs at the place they had their externship. By the way the last graduating class had one hundred percent find jobs as a MA in a hospital or clininc. So thats good news considering the current economy. I am sure it varies from state to state but evidently it is in high demand here..
7 months ago
Lance tamykd ((at)) yahoo dot com
Hello, My name is Lance. I finish my AS degree in 1998 here in Columbia SC. Soon after completion I got my first job with an cardiologist who then later trained me to perform EKG's, Holter monitors, and ultrasound of the heart. I can sure say I am very proud to be an Medical Assistant. Since, then I held several jobs such as laboratory manager, referral specailist, office manager, and medical research assistant with MUSC. So I say to you all, keep positive and remember you have the degree! The sky is the limit how far do you intend to reach!!
7 months ago
Marsha Olivo Marshaolivo ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am almost finished with my AS degree in medical assisting. I have completed the course in Louisiana and I am having a hard time finding a job, I am begining to wonder if it's the field I Chose or if it's the state our Ecomony is in could someone please E-mail me and let me know the salary that other states are offering and the demands for the job.
7 months ago
Sabrina sabrina1120 ((at)) comcast dot net
I am attending Northwestern Technical College and I am enrolled in the Medical Assisting program. I graduate in June of 2009. The program that I am in actually has us going out to do clinicals and therefore gives you experience. I don't know if any of you get to do that but the clinicals help you 100% in getting that job. Jobs are very easy to find around here, you just have to give it your all and love what you do. The subjects like pharamclogy, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, and human diseases can be hard at times but in the end it's all worth it.
7 months ago
beth beaola33 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I have been working as a certified medical assistant now for five years. I am happy to say that I have been working for the same practice since I have graduated medical assisting school five years ago. I am very loyal to my employer, but I work with nine other nurses. I am the only medical assistant in our office, and I really don't see that changing any time soon. As a result of that, I find that I do not get the opportunities to use my skills as much as I would like. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Sincerly, Beth...
8 months ago
akivia campbell akiviacampbell ((at)) yahoo dot com
hi my name is akivia i am persuing my career in the medical field and someday i hope to get my masters. i was also wandering how can i become a medical assistant? i've done alot of research and i would like some advice on how to make my dreams come true. bainbridge girl needs help persuing her careeer in the medical field. thanks.
8 months ago
Jameelah Jameelah_2781 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am currently attending ASA Colleg In newYork City. I am majoring in Medical Assistant and i will have my Associates in May09. I wanted to know whta kind of job can I get now untiol i finish school.And i would also like to go to nursing school but how many years do I have to attend nursing school?
8 months ago
abby abby-smith ((at)) uiowa dot edu
I have been working as a Medical Assistant for 3 year. I used to work at a Dermatology office but I was offered a job in the Cancer Clinic in a hospital and I took it. I am really glad that I did. You can get a job don't, there will always be jobs out there because as a Medical Assistant, we make way less then RN so soemtime in the future we could be replacing the RN's.
9 months ago
patricia patricia dot cardenas63 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I was wondering how i can become a medical assistant?? i've read about all the research and i still cant figure it out?? if you would e-mail me back i will appretiate it!
9 months ago
shanice tcfc_4me ((at)) cliffhanger dot com
hey. im in medical school now and am looking forwad to becomin a medical assistant. its just that i dont know what specific field i want to go under. is it possible to list all jobs that a medial assistant could do?
9 months ago
brittany steimelb ((at)) yahoo dot com
I was wondering how i can become a medical assistant?? i've read about ALL the research and i still cant figure it out?? if you would e-mail me back i will appretiate it!! THANK YOU SO MUCH BRITTANY BURNETT
9 months ago
vanessa stevens lilmissey143 ((at)) yahoo dot com
hello my name is vanessa and i am currently looking into going to medical school. I have decide that i wanted to attend concord medical school they sound like they have a really good program. i am very excited . however it worries me because of what other people say that there is always a chance that i wont get a job after i graduate. and that is alot of money to spend and alot of time to get trained and not get a job what is the percentage of students that dont get jobs after they graduate, and also how much does a medical assistant make to start off and it is really hard my father said that it was and there is alot of termology. im nervous help ....
10 months ago
Brianna east_coast_royalty ((at)) hotmail dot com
Why not take an Associates program and get an RN instead? They make triple the money, it takes 2.5 years and some courses are similar (anatomy & physiology, some basic clinical skills.) Plus, nurses are in high demand (experienced or not).
11 months ago
Amber hannaryleesmom ((at)) hotmail dot com
I am about half finished with my AS for Medical Assisting. I guess I'm lucky, because once I finish my externship, whoever I choose to do it with will hire me once I finish (usually. hopefully). But what I've found out through research is almost always you'll need experience in the field, but you can work as medical secretary, medical transcriptionist, and medical records and health information technicians are some possibilies. Again depends on your experience and qualifications.
about 1 year ago
Tyra Ledbetter tyra dot ledbetter ((at)) sbcglobal dot net
I am currently taking courses to become a medical assistant. I would like to know what type of medical job I can do until I receive my degree.
about 1 year ago
Jesse jpw_84 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I finished the Medical AIssistant Program At Remington College almost 2 Years ago and I'm currently working for a Dr. in Louisiana. When I took the opening for this job it was a his nurses job and now I'm doing it all. I will tell all of you that are taking the course it will be hard to find a job at first because alot of these offices are looking for experienced Medical Assistants but you will find something just don't give up. There is alot of people that I went to school with thats not working in the field because they gave up. Matt you were asking about the Education that you are looking in to if its good enough. I know here in Louisiana you could just have the traing as a M.A. and get on, but it is totally up to you if you want to go that far with it and its always good to have when you do start looking for a job and it also varies from state to state. Good Luck To All!!
about 1 year ago
Reeneeka Jones rnkjones ((at)) yahoo dot com
taking classes at virginia college for medical assistance and want too find a job in my field
about 1 year ago
Matt mattellis_1 ((at)) yahoo dot com
hey im wanting to get a medical assistant job.i was planning on attending Eastfield college in texas for my associates degree and going to stratford career institute for my training but i dont know if that is good enough to get a good job in the field. What do you think?
about 1 year ago
nisa osagie nisaosagie ((at)) yahoo dot com
i resently took the medicsal assisting program at lincoln tech in somervile. it was cei when i inrolled in the program but it began to undergo some changes. the school had problems retaining teachers and some times students had to end up without teachers or have the same teacher for many courses. this made the teachers very irritable.my grades were ok but i didnt get to participate in an externship. the school ran the program over the intended program schedule of just 12 months i earned 41 credits from the 46 credit program but i didnt graduate from the program. the credits are not transferable. what can i do?
over 2 years ago
marie jenkins5130 ((at)) comcast dot net
i was wondering is olympia college a good school to go to in getting my medical assitant training. there are a lot of commericails everywhere for the school but i wa wondering are they credential as good as they say they are because we learn a lot on labotory procedures but on administrative procedures it is very minimal.