What is the Hourly Wage of a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are in high demand! Here’s everything you need to know about what they do, how much they make, and where to find the best training.

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What is a medical assistant?

A medical assistant is a person who has been trained to provide basic patient care, take vital signs, perform simple laboratory tests and assist doctors in providing patient care. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices. The most common type of medical assistant is the certified medical assistant (CMA), who has completed an accredited medical assisting program and passed a national certification exam.

Medical assistants are usually responsible for tasks that do not require a medical degree or licensing to perform. These tasks may include scheduling appointments, taking patient histories, drawing blood, preparing patients for examinations and assisting during office procedures. In some states, Medical assistants may also be allowed to give injections and perform basic laboratory tests.

What are the duties of a medical assistant?

Medical Assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. They may collect and record patient medical histories and personal information, measure patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and weight, prepare patients for examination, assist physicians during examination and treatment, schedule appointments, collect urine and tissue samples for laboratory tests, authorize prescription refills, prepare laboratory slides, perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies left after examination, administer medications as directed by a physician, instruct patients on taking medications or on diet and exercise programs to promote wellness. Medical assistants generally work in primary care offices. Some medical assistants split their time between working in an office and working in a laboratory setting. Others work in medical clinics or hospitals.

What is the hourly wage of a medical assistant?

The average hourly wage of a medical assistant is $15.12, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2016. The median hourly wage for medical assistants was $14.60 in 2015. The top 10% of medical assistants earned more than $19.73 per hour, while the bottom 10% earned less than $10.71 per hour

What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?

There are many benefits of being a medical assistant. They include a good hourly wage, job security, and the ability to help people.

The average hourly wage for a medical assistant is $15.81, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is significantly higher than the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Medical assistants also enjoy job security. The bureau projects that the demand for medical assistants will grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a medical assistant is the opportunity to help people. Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks that help keep patients safe and comfortable. They also provide support to doctors and nurses so that they can focus on providing quality care to their patients.

What are the drawbacks of being a medical assistant?

Although medical assistants earn a good wage, there are some drawbacks to the job. The most common complaint from medical assistants is that they feel undervalued. Many feel that their contributions to the medical team are not properly recognized, and that their salary does not reflect their level of training or experience.

Another downside to being a medical assistant is that the job can be quite demanding. Medical assistants often work long hours, including evenings and weekends. They may also be required to work on holidays and during other times when most people are off from work.

Finally, medical assistants may sometimes be exposed to unpleasant or dangerous situations. They may have to deal with aggressive patients or deal with blood and other bodily fluids on a daily basis.

What is the job outlook for medical assistants?

The job outlook for medical assistants is excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for medical assistants was $16.31 per hour in May 2019, with the top 10% of earners making more than $21.98 per hour. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants.

What are the educational requirements for medical assistants?

Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. They may take medical histories and record vital signs, prepare patients for examination, assist physicians during examinations, and collect and prepare laboratory specimens. They also may instruct patients about medication and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by physicians, authorizem dressings, electrodes, and other supplies to be applied to patients’ skin, remove sutures, and change bandages. Many medical assistants have additional responsibilities, such as scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, handling billing and insurance claims, coding medical records for reimbursement purposesunder the supervision of office managers or health information technicians. Some states allow medical assistants to perform more advanced procedures under the supervision of a physician or podiatrist.

What are the skills needed to be a successful medical assistant?

The skills needed to be a successful medical assistant are:
-outstanding communication abilities
– compassionate nature
– the ability to work well under pressure
– excellent organizational skills
– detail oriented

How can I advance my career as a medical assistant?

Medical assistants can find themselves performing a wide variety of tasks within the medical office. Their responsibilities might include anything from greeting patients and scheduling appointments to taking medical histories, recording vital signs and administering medications. Many times they also act as a liaison between the doctor and the patient, educating the patient on home care instructions after a procedure or answering any questions they may have about their health. With such a versatile skill set, it’s no wonder that medical assistants are in high demand within the healthcare industry.

While some medical assistants choose to enter the workforce with only a high school diploma, others may seek out postsecondary education in order to advance their career. Many community colleges, technical schools and vocational schools offer formal training programs for medical assistants, which can last anywhere from six months to two years. These programs typically combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience, giving students the opportunity to learn both the theoretical and practical aspects of the job. Upon completion of a training program, students are often eligible to take certification exams, which can slightly improve their employment prospects.

What are some common challenges faced by medical assistants?

Working as a medical assistant can be a demanding and challenging job. Here are some common challenges faced by medical assistants:

– Dealing with patients who are in pain or have anxiety
– Dealing with angry or difficult patients
– Having to work long hours, including evenings and weekends
– Working in a fast-paced environment
– Being on your feet for long periods of time
– Being exposed to diseases and infections