Jobs Hiring Medical Assistant Students: What You Need to Know

As a medical assistant student, you may be wondering what kind of jobs will be available to you after you graduate. The good news is that there are many opportunities for Medical assistants and the job market is expected to grow much faster than average in the coming years.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you look for jobs hiring medical assistant students:

-The majority of Medical Assistants work in physicians’ offices, but there are also opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.
-Most medical assistants have on-the-job training rather than formal education, so your clinical experience from your program will be helpful in finding a job.
-Some states have certification requirements for medical assistants, so be sure to check the requirements in your state before applying for jobs.

With these things in mind, here are some tips for finding jobs hiring medical assistant students:

-Start by searching the job listings on your school’s website or career center. Many employers list open positions here first.
-Look for job postings on online job boards like Indeed.com or CareerBuilder.com. Be sure to search for positions that are specifically looking for medical assistant students or new graduates.
-Check with local healthcare facilities to see if they have any open positions. Many times, they will be willing to train new employees on the job.
-Network with friends, family, and other contacts who work in the healthcare field. They may know of open positions that haven’t been widely advertised.

The Benefits of Being a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are in high demand and the job market is expected to grow by 29% through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means that there will be many opportunities for medical assistant students to find rewarding and stable careers.

There are many benefits to being a medical assistant, including the following:

– Medical assistants are in high demand and the job market is expected to grow by 29% through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
– Medical assistants can earn a median salary of $32,480 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
– Medical assistants can find work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and more.
– Medical assistants can enjoy a stable career with good job security.

The Duties of a Medical Assistant

A medical assistant is a person who supports the work of physicians and other medical professionals. They typically perform administrative and clinical tasks in a variety of healthcare settings, such as doctor’s offices, clinics, and hospitals. As the demand for healthcare services grows, so does the need for qualified medical assistants.

Medical assistant students who are about to enter the workforce may be wondering what the duties of a medical assistant are. Although the specific duties will vary depending on the employer and the level of experience, there are some common tasks that all medical assistants perform.

Administrative tasks: Medical assistants are often responsible for administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, and filling out insurance forms. They may also be responsible for billing and coding, and maintaining medical records

Clinical tasks: Medical assistants also perform clinical tasks, such as taking patient vital signs, preparing them for examinations, and assisting with procedures. They may also give injections and provide patient education.

The duties of a medical assistant can vary depending on the employer’s needs and the level of experience of the medical assistant. However, most medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical tasks in a variety of healthcare settings.

The Education and Training Required to Become a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team, providing administrative and clinical support to physicians and other medical professionals. If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, you may be wondering what education and training you need to get started in this rewarding career.

The good news is that medical assistants can often find entry-level jobs with little more than a high school diploma or equivalent. However, if you want to maximize your career prospects and earnings potential, you should consider completing an accredited medical assisting program. Medical assistant programs typically take about a year to complete and often lead to an associate’s degree or diploma.

In addition to completing an accredited medical assisting program, you will also need to pass the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once you have passed the CMA exam, you will need to renew your certification every 60 months by completing continuing education credits.

While not required, many medical assistants also choose to become certified in one or more specialty areas, such as phlebotomy or EKG. Specialty certification can demonstrate your expertise to potential employers and help you qualify for higher-paying positions.

The Job Outlook for Medical Assistants

The job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for medical assistants will grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing demand for medical services as the population continues to grow and age.

There are many different types of jobs available for medical assistant students. You can work in a hospital, a clinic, a physician’s office, or even a spa. There are also many different positions available, such as administrative medical assistant, clinical medical assistant, or even medical billing and coding specialist.

When you’re looking for jobs hiring medical assistant students, it’s important to keep in mind that not all employers require certification. However, having certification can give you an edge over other candidates who don’t have it. The two main certifying bodies for medical assistants are the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA). To earn certification from either of these organizations, you must pass an exam.

If you’re interested in jobs hiring medical assistant students, there are a few things you can do to make yourself more attractive to potential employers. First, get experience by volunteering or working in a healthcare setting. This will give you a chance to learn about the daily tasks of a medical assistant and see if it’s something you’re interested in. Second, get certified by either the AAMA or NHA. This will show employers that you’re serious about your career and that you have the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this field.

The Salary of a Medical Assistant

The medical assistant salary is one of the biggest concerns for those considering this profession. Unfortunately, there is no short answer when it comes to how much medical assistants make. Instead, salaries can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including experience, location, and employer type.

With that said, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,280, while the top 10 percent earned more than $48,720.

Location is also a major factor in medical assistant salaries. In general, assistants in metropolitan areas tend to earn more than those who work in rural areas. For example, according to the BLS, medical assistants in New York City earn a median salary of $40,810 per year, while those in rural Texas earn a median salary of $29,040 per year.

Similarly, experience can also have a big impact on earnings potential. Medical assistants with several years of experience can expect to earn more than those who are just starting out. Additionally, those who have specialized training or certification may also be able to command higher salaries.

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that employer type can also affect earnings potential. Medical assistants who work in hospitals tend to earn more than those who work in physician’s offices or other outpatient facilities. Additionally, those who work for large companies or health systems may also be able to earn more than those who work for smaller employers.

The Different Types of Medical Assistant Jobs

There are many different types of medical assistant jobs available. The most common medical assistant job is working in a doctor’s office, but there are also many other types of medical assistant jobs available in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.

The duties of a medical assistant vary depending on the type of job they have. Most medical assistants have a combination of administrative and clinical duties. Administrative duties may include answering phones, scheduling appointments, and billing patients. Clinical duties may include taking patient histories, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the doctor during examinations.

Medical assistants may also be responsible for scheduling surgeries and other procedures, ordering laboratory tests and X-rays, and handling insurance paperwork. In some cases, medical assistants may also be responsible for providing patient education on topics such as diet, exercise, and disease prevention.

The Different Settings in Which Medical Assistants Work

Medical assisting is one of the most versatile allied health professions. Medical assistants can work in a variety of settings, including doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics, and even cruise ships. In each of these settings, medical assistants perform different duties. Here is a closer look at the different settings in which medical assistants work and some of the duties they perform in each setting.

Doctor’s Office
In a doctor’s office, medical assistants generally work alongside one or two doctors. Their duties include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, taking patient histories, recording vital signs, and giving injections. They may also assist the doctor during examinations and procedures.

Hospital
Medical assistants who work in hospitals generally have more responsibilities than those who work in doctor’s offices. In addition to greeting patients and taking patient histories, they may also be responsible for scheduling surgeries and other procedures, transporting patients to and from surgery, and giving post-operative instructions to patients. They may also be required to take X-rays and perform other diagnostic tests.

Clinic
Clinics are often similar to doctor’s offices, but they usually have a larger staff of medical professionals. Medical assistants who work in clinics generally have the same duties as those who work in doctor’s offices, but they may also be responsible for stocking exam rooms with supplies and taking blood samples.

Cruise Ship
Medical assistants who work on cruise ships generally have similar duties to those who work in doctor’s offices and clinics. However, they may also be responsible for providing first aid to passengers who are injured or become ill while on the ship. They may also be required to give vaccinations to passengers before they board the ship.

The Different Specialties in Which Medical Assistants Work

Medical assistants work in a variety of specialties within the medical field. The most common type of medical assistant is an administrative medical assistant. These types of medical assistants work in clinics and doctor’s offices. Their job duties include answering phones, scheduling appointments, billing patients, and coding insurance forms.

Medical assistants who work in hospitals are known as clinical medical assistants. These types of medical assistants take vital signs, prepare patients for examinations, give injections, collect lab specimens, and perform electrocardiograms (EKGs). Clinical medical assistants also record patients’ medical histories and chart their progress.

Medical assistants who work in optometry offices are known as ophthalmic medical assistants. These types of medical assistants test patients’ vision, fit them for eyeglasses and contact lenses, and teach them how to properly care for their eyes and eyewear. Ophthalmic medical assistants also schedule appointments and perform basic office duties such as answering phones and filing paperwork.

There are also a few less common specialties for medical assistants. These include working as a podiatric medical assistant (in a podiatrist’s office), a dermatology medical assistant (in a dermatologist’s office), or a research medical assistant (in a hospital or research facility).

The Different Certifications and Licenses a Medical Assistant May Obtain

The different Certifications and Licenses a Medical Assistant may obtain are as follows:
-AAMA Certification: This is the most common certification for Medical Assistants. In order to sit for the AAMA Certification Exam, students must graduate from an accredited Medical Assisting program.
-RMA Certification: The Registered Medical Assistant credential is offered by American Medical Technologists (AMT) and requires medical assistants to have completed a medical assisting program that has been accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
-CCMA Certification: The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credential is offered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA) and requires medical assistants to have completed a medical assisting program that has been accredited by either CAAHEP or ABHES.
-NCMA Certification: The National Certified Medical Assistant credential is offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) and does not require completion of an accredited medical assisting program. Candidates must pass an exam to earn this credential.
-CPC Certification: The Certified Professional Coder credential is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Candidates must pass an exam to earn this credential.
-In addition to certification, some states require medical assistants to be licensed. Specific requirements vary by state, but generally, licensure is only required if the medical assistant performs certain tasks that are outside of the scope of practice for unlicensed personnel. These tasks might include, but are not limited to, administering medications or performing certain types of diagnostic testing.
-Medical assistants can also choose to become certified in CPR or First Aid through organizations such as the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Jobs Hiring Medical Assistant Students: What You Need to Know