How Much Does a Medical Staff Assistant Make?

How Much Does a medical staff assistant Make?

The answer may depend on a number of factors, including education, experience, and location.

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Job Description

A medical staff assistant typically provides support to the medical staff of a hospital or other healthcare facility. The job duties of a medical staff assistant vary depending on the size and type of facility, but may include maintaining medical records scheduling appointments, and managing billing and insurance paperwork. A medical staff assistant may also be responsible for orienting new patients and family members to the facilities policies and procedures.

Duties

Medical staff assistants typically have a few years of experience in the medical field. They are responsible for keeping the medical office organized and running smoothly. Their duties may include scheduling appointments, handling patient inquiries, billing and coding insurance forms, and maintaining Medical records They may also be responsible for ordering supplies and equipment, and handling correspondence.

Qualifications

A medical staff assistant typically holds at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and must complete on-the-job training. Many medical staff assistants also hold certification from professional organizations, such as the National Healthcare Association or the American medical billing Association.

Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that medical staff assistants earned a median salary of $33,780 in 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent of medical staff assistants earned less than $23,490, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,990.

Career Outlook

Most medical staff assistants work in hospitals, but some also work in outpatient care centers, physician’s offices, and other types of healthcare facilities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical staff assistants will grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging baby-boom generation will need more medical care as they grow older, and the demand for medical services is expected to continue to rise.

Education

In order to become a medical staff assistant, you will need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. However, many employers prefer to hire those who have some postsecondary education, such as a certificate or associate’s degree in medical office administration or a related field. While you can find some entry-level positions with only a high school diploma, you will likely earn a higher salary and have more advancement opportunities if you have some college education.

Certification

While certification is not required for all medical staff assistants, some employers may prefer or require certification. The certified medical administrative assistant (CMAA) credential is offered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA). To earn the credential, candidates must pass an exam. Once certified, Medical Administrative Assistants must recertify every three years to maintain their CMAA credential in good standing.

Job Growth

The number of medical staff assistant jobs is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth is due to an aging population and an increased emphasis on preventive care. As the baby boomer generation ages, they will require more medical services. In addition, as preventive care becomes more common, medical staff assistants will be needed to manage patients’ records and prepare them for appointments.

States with the Highest Employment

The states with the highest employment levels for medical staff assistants were, in order of highest to lowest, California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Collectively, these states contained over 42 percent of all medical staff assistant jobs in the United States as of May 2011. When expressed in percentages, this means that nearly half of all medical staff assistant jobs were located in these five states alone.

Metropolitan Areas with the Highest Employment

The metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation are as follows:
-Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area
-Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area
-Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area
-Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area
-Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area