What is the Average Salary for a Medical Assistant in Virginia?
Contents
If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant in Virginia, you might be wondering what the average salary is for this profession. Here’s what you need to know.
Checkout this video:
Job Description
The average salary for a medical assistant in Virginia is $33,890. This is 4% lower than the national average salary for a medical assistant A medical assistant in Virginia may perform administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. They may also take patients’ vital signs, collect and prepare laboratory specimens, assist with minor surgical procedures, give injections, instruct patients on taking medications and providing other patient care.
Duties
The duties of a medical assistant are wide-ranging and depend on the specific needs of the employer. In general, Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical tasks in a medical office or clinic. They may schedule patient appointments, maintain medical records bill insurance companies, and coordinate laboratory services. Medical Assistants also take patient histories, collect blood and other laboratory specimens, assist physicians during examinations, and instruct patients on taking medication and caring for minor wounds.
Qualifications
In order to become a medical assistant in Virginia, one must have a high school diploma or equivalent, although some employers prefer postsecondary education, and pass a certification exam. Although not required by law, most employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants. Certification can be obtained through either the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association.
Education and Training
Medical assistants in Virginia complete a variety of tasks to support the work of physicians and other medical professionals. They may schedule appointments, take and record patient medical histories and vital statistics, prepare patients for examination, assist with procedures such as casts and sutures, and instruct patients on follow-up care. Many medical assistants also perform basic laboratory tests, dispense medications, and give injections.
Education and training requirements for medical assistants vary by state. Most states do not regulate medical assisting, so there are no formal education or training requirements. However, employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a postsecondary medical assisting program or who have on-the-job training from a previous position. Some states have voluntary certification programs for medical assistants. Certification may demonstrate to potential employers that a candidate has the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful medical assistant.
Certification
The average salary for a Medical Assistant in Virginia is $36,146. This is 5% lower than the average salary for a Medical Assistant nationwide. To become a Medical Assistant in Virginia, you will need to complete an accredited training program and pass a certification exam.
Salary
The median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2019. 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 earned less than $24,670, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,480.
Job Outlook
In 2019, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) announced that medical assistants in Virginia earned an average annual salary of $33,610. This is slightly higher than the national average for medical assistants, which is $33,610 per year. The top 10% of medical assistants in Virginia earn $44,100 per year, while the bottom 10% earn $24,520 per year.
Medical assistants in Virginia can expect to see a bright job outlook in the coming years. Between 2018 and 2028, the BLS projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 23%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to an aging population which will require more medical care, and a corresponding increase in the number of medical facilities and offices.
Pros and Cons
When you are looking for a career, it is important to consider all aspects of the job before making a decision. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, you may be wondering what the average medical assistant salary is in Virginia. In addition to salary, there are other important factors to consider when weighing your career options, such as job satisfaction, work-life balance, and job outlook.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Virginia is $32,780 per year. Keep in mind that salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and other factors. In addition to salary, other important factors to consider when weighing your career options include job satisfaction, work-life balance, and job outlook.
There are many pros and cons to any career decision. Some pros of becoming a medical assistant include the following:
-You will have the opportunity to help people every day
-You will gain valuable experience in the medical field
-You will have a stable job with good benefits
However, there are also some cons to consider before making your decision. Some of these include:
-The working hours can be long and stressful
-The pay is not always competitive with other careers in the medical field
-You may be required to work weekends or holidays
Virginia Medical Assistant Salary by Region
The table below shows the average annual salary for medical assistants in Virginia, as well as the average hourly wage. Salaries are broken out by region of the state, and are calculated from data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Region|Average Salary|Average Hourly Wage
——|————–|——————–
Charlottesville|$33,750|$16.24
Northern Virginia|$37,130|$17.83
Richmond area|$32,950|$15.82
Roanoke area|$29,560|$14.25
Southern Virginia|$28,610|$13.76
West Virginia (WV)| $30,780 | $14.81
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Virginia
There are many different pathways to becoming a medical assistant in Virginia. Some individuals may choose to pursue a degree or certificate from a traditional college or university, while others may opt for an online program. Some medical assistants may also choose to pursue on-the-job training or an apprenticeship. No matter which route you choose, it is important to make sure that the program you select is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
In order to become a medical assistant in Virginia, you will need to complete an accredited medical assistant program and earn your Virginia state license. Once you have completed your medical assistant program and earned your license, you will be able to start working in Virginia.