How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in Pennsylvania?

How much does a medical assistant make in Pennsylvania? This is a question that a lot of people have, and the answer may surprise you.

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Job Description

The average medical assistant salary in Pennsylvania is $34,270. This is 4% lower than the average medical assistant salary in the United States In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 8,200 Medical assistants The average medical assistant hourly wage in Pennsylvania is $16.46.

Salary

The medical assistant salary in Pennsylvania is $33,610 per year, which is lower than the national average salary for this profession. In Pennsylvania, there are many different factors that can contribute to the amount of money a medical assistant makes each year. The type of facility where they work, the size of the facility, the location of the facility, and the number of years of experience a medical assistant has can all play a role in their annual salary.

Job Outlook

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, the median annual salary for Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania is $33,570. The average hourly wage for medical assistants in Pennsylvania is $16.17.Medical assistant jobs in Pennsylvania are projected to grow by 19.6% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average occupations. There will be an estimated 12,900 medical assistant job openings due to growth and replacement needs during this time period.

Education and Training

Medical assistants in Pennsylvania are found working in hospitals, offices of physicians, outpatient care centers, and other healthcare facilities. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of healthcare professionals.

Medical assistants in Pennsylvania must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some medical assistants may also choose to complete a postsecondary education program. There are many community colleges and technical institutes that offer medical assistant programs that lead to a certificate or an associate degree. These programs typically last about two years and cover topics such as medical law and ethics, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic coding, and insurance billing procedures.

Licensing and Certification

In order to work as a medical assistant in Pennsylvania, you must hold a valid certification from either the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association. In addition, you must complete a state-approved education program and pass a criminal background check. Once you have met these requirements, you will be able to apply for a position at a medical facility.

Skills

In order to be a good medical assistant, there are certain skills that you will need to have. These include:

-The ability to communicate effectively with patients, doctors, and other members of the healthcare team
-The ability to multitask and stay organized
-The ability to maintain confidentiality
-The ability to work well under pressure
-The ability to maintain a professional demeanor at all times

Work Schedule

Medical assistants in Pennsylvania usually work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.

Pros and Cons

Working as a medical assistant has its pros and cons. The job is considered to be one of the most important in healthcare, as medical assistants are responsible for keeping the doctor’s office or clinic running smoothly. They also play a key role in patient care, performing tasks such as taking vital signs and drawing blood.

However, the job can be stressful, and medical assistants often work long hours. They also may have to deal with angry or upset patients. The pay is not always great, either. In Pennsylvania, the average medical assistant earns about $15 an hour, or $31,200 a year.

Advancement Opportunities

In addition to the variety of settings that medical assistants can work in, there are also opportunities for advancement. Some medical assistants may choose to specialize in a certain area of medicine such as optometry, podiatry, or ophthalmology. Other medical assistants may choose to pursue a career as a medical office manager or a healthcare administrator. With additional education and training, medical assistants can also become registered nurses, physician assistants, or even doctors.

Where to Find Jobs

There are many options for finding employment as a medical assistant in Pennsylvania. Large cities such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Allentown have numerous hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices that employ medical assistants. Smaller cities and towns also have opportunities for employment, although the competition for jobs may be greater. Rural areas sometimes have difficulty attracting medical professionals of all kinds, so medical assistants may have an advantage in securing a position in these locations.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health operates a number of clinics and health centers across the state that employ medical assistants. In addition, there are many private practices, HMOs, and other outpatient facilities that are always in need of medical assistants. Many of these places will list their job openings on their website or with online job databases.