What is the Salary for Medical Assistants?
Contents
- What is the average salary for medical assistants?
- What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?
- What are the duties of a medical assistant?
- What are the educational requirements for medical assistants?
- What are the job outlook and career options for medical assistants?
- What are the skills needed to be a successful medical assistant?
- What are the challenges faced by medical assistants?
- How can medical assistants advance their career?
- What are the trends affecting medical assistants?
- What is the future of medical assistants?
Medical assistants are in demand! Discover what the average salary is for this career path and learn how to maximize your earnings potential.
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What is the average salary for medical assistants?
As of May 2018, the median annual salary for Medical assistants was $33,610, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,930.
What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?
There are many benefits of being a medical assistant Medical assistants are in high demand, and the job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for medical assistants in 2017 was $32,480 per year. Medical assistants also enjoy good job security and opportunities for advancement.
What are the duties of a medical assistant?
Medical assistants are multi-skilled health care professionals specifically trained to work in outpatient facilities such as medical offices and clinics. Their duties vary depending on state law and the specific medical office or clinic where they are employed, but they typically include a combination of administrative and clinical tasks. Medical assistants interact with patients on a daily basis, so interpersonal skills are important, as is the ability to work well under pressure.
Medical assistants perform administrative duties such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, billing and coding insurance forms, and handling correspondence. They also may prepare patient charts, take and record vital signs such as blood pressure and weight, explain policies and procedures to patients, collect urine and blood samples for lab tests, give injections when ordered by a physician, assist with minor surgery such as inserting catheters, and apply dressings. Many medical assistants take on additional responsibilities such as managing the medical office or supervising other medical personnel.
What are the educational requirements for medical assistants?
Medical assistants are unlicensed healthcare professionals who perform administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare settings. They typically work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and clinics. Some medical assistants work in specific areas of medicine, such as ophthalmology or obstetrics/gynecology.
Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some have postsecondary education, such as a certificate or associate degree from a medical assisting program. Programs typically last 1-2 years and include courses in anatomy, physiology, Medical Terminology transcription, office procedures, and first aid/CPR.
What are the job outlook and career options for medical assistants?
Medical assistants are in demand and the job outlook is projected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2015, according to the BLS.
There are many different career options for medical assistants. Some work in hospitals, while others work in clinics, physician’s offices, or other healthcare facilities. Some medical assistants specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as pediatrics or optometry. Others may choose to take on administrative duties, such as scheduling appointments and managing medical records
Medical assistants who want to advance their careers may choose to pursue certification through an accredited program. Certification can show employers that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the job effectively. There are several different certification exams that medical assistants can take, depending on their interests and experience.
What are the skills needed to be a successful medical assistant?
The qualities that make a successful medical assistant are:
-A caring and compassionate nature, with the ability to empathize with patients
– Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
– Strong organizational skills
– The ability to multitask and prioritize effectively
– A detail-oriented approach
– A desire to help others and make a difference in their lives
What are the challenges faced by medical assistants?
There are a few challenges that medical assistants may face on the job. One challenge is that they may be required to work long hours. Medical assistants may also be required to work evening and weekend shifts. Another challenge that medical assistants may face is that they may be required to do a lot of tasks that are not related to their training or education. For example, medical assistants may be required to do administrative tasks, such as answering phones or filing paperwork.
How can medical assistants advance their career?
Medical assistants can advance their career by completing a medical assistant certification program. With certification, medical assistants can demonstrate to employers that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their job duties. Medical assistants can also become certified Medical Administrative Assistants or certified clinical medical assistants. With these certifications, medical assistants can show that they have specialized knowledge and skills in medical administration or clinical procedures.
What are the trends affecting medical assistants?
Medical assistants are in high demand due to the increasing complexity of the medical field and the aging population. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026, at a rate of 29%. The 2016 median annual salary for medical assistants was $31,540.
What is the future of medical assistants?
The medical assistant profession is predicted to grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to spur demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants. As a result, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.
In addition, as technological advances make it possible for more medical procedures to be performed in outpatient settings and as the number of team-based practices increase, the need for medical assistants is expected to grow. The demand for medical assistants should be particularly strong in physicians’ offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other healthcare facilities.