How Much Do Medical Assistants Make in Utah?

If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant in Utah, you’re probably wondering how much you can expect to earn. Here’s a look at the average salary for Medical assistants in Utah, as well as some factors that can influence your earnings.

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Job Description

A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who helps support the work of licensed medical practitioners, such as physicians and medical assistants. They are usually responsible for a variety of tasks, such as taking medical histories and performing basic laboratory tests.

The duties of a medical assistant vary depending on the state they work in. In Utah, medical assistants must be certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Medical assistants in Utah can expect to earn an average salary of $15.17 per hour, or $31,660 per year.

Duties

A medical assistant’s duties will depend on the size and type of healthcare facility where they work as well as the state in which they are employed. In larger facilities, medical assistants may be responsible for a greater variety of tasks, while in smaller facilities they may only perform a few select duties. However, there are some duties that are common among most medical assistants, regardless of their location or the type of facility where they work. These duties include:

-Taking and recording patients’ vital signs, such as their blood pressure, weight, and temperature
-Assisting patients with routine medical procedures, such as giving injections or removing stitches
-Preparing patients for examination by cleaning and dressing wounds or applying ice packs
-Updating patient medical records
-Scheduling appointments and handling insurance paperwork

Salary

The average salary for a Medical Assistant in Utah is $17.95 per hour. The median salary is $18.16 per hour.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for medical assistants in Utah is good. The state is expected to see a 20 percent growth in the occupation between 2016 and 2026, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services. This is due in part to the state’s aging population, which will need more medical care.

Education and Training

Education and Training
Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate, although some have an associate’s degree. Although no formal education is required, most employers prefer to hire those with training or experience in the field.

Some community colleges and other institutions offer medical assistant programs that last from 1 to 2 years and lead to a certificate or diploma. These programs include classroom, laboratory, and clinical components. Courses typically include anatomy, physiology, Medical Terminology and keyboarding. Many programs also offer courses in computer applications, transcription, scheduling, insurance processing, and billing and coding.

Some states require certification for all medical assistants, regardless of their specific duties. Employers also may prefer to hire certified medical assistants. Certification demonstrates a level of achievement and knowledge in the field. There are several national certifying organizations for medical assistants:
-The Certificate of Medical Assistants (CMA) administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants
-The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential administered by American Medical Technologists
-The National Healthcare Association offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential

Certification

In the United States medical assistants make a mean annual salary of $33,610, which is about $16.21 per hour. Individual salaries can vary greatly based on experience, certifications, additional skills, the size of the healthcare facility where they work, and other factors. In Utah, medical assistants make an average annual salary of $33,100, which is slightly lower than the national average.

Advancement Opportunities

Medical assistants in Utah can find advancement opportunities in a number of ways. Some medical assistants choose to further their education by completing a certificate or degree program to become a certified medical assistant (CMA). Others may choose to specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as Pediatrics or Geriatrics. Still others may choose to become administrative medical assistants, responsible for managing the office and staff of a medical practice. Whatever the path, medical assistants in Utah can find many opportunities for advancement.

Working Conditions

Medical assistants work under the supervision of licensed health care providers. They perform administrative and clinical tasks that support the work of physicians and other health professionals. Most medical assistants work in outpatient care centers, physician’s offices, and hospitals. Some work in nursing homes long-term care facilities, or home health agencies

Most medical assistants work full time, but some work part time. Many have evening or weekend hours. Some medical assistants may also be on call for evenings or weekends to cover for absent staff members or handle emergencies.

Most medical assistants work in well-lit, clean environments. However, those who work in surgery or emergency rooms may be exposed to diseases and might have to stand for long periods of time.

Employment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that medical assistants in Utah earned an annual mean wage of $35,710 as of May 2019. This wage is lower than the national average for medical assistants, which is $36,550 per year. However, wages can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and employer.

Job outlook by Industry

Medical assistants in Utah can expect to earn an average salary of $16.32 per hour, or $33,860 per year. The top 10% of medical assistants in Utah earn $22.61 per hour, or $47,090 per year, while the bottom 10% earn $11.51 per hour, or $23,980 per year.