How Many Hours Does a Medical Assistant Work a Week?

The answer to how many hours does a medical assistant work a week can vary quite a bit. Some Medical Assistants may work part-time, while others may work full-time. The hours that a medical assistant works may also depend on the type of facility they work in, as well as their job duties. In general, most medical assistants work between 35 and 40 hours per week.

The average work week for a medical assistant

The average work week for a medical assistant is about 40 hours. However, there is a lot of variation from one job to the next, and some medical assistants may work part-time or full-time.

The duties of a medical assistant

Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of a medical assistant vary from office to office, but there are some tasks that are common to most MA offices.

Medical assistants typically work full time, but some may work part time. The hours can be long, and MAs may have to work evenings or weekends to cover for absent colleagues or to meet the demands of their patients.

The training required to become a medical assistant

medical assistants typically need to complete a postsecondary education program of about one year. Some programs may last up to two years, and awards may include a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Although not required, certification may show potential employers that an applicant has the necessary skills for the job.

The job outlook for medical assistants

Medical assistants are in high demand across the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29 percent from 2019 to 2029 — much faster than the average for all occupations.1rapidly

With such strong job growth, you may be wondering how many hours a medical assistant works a week. Here’s what you need to know.

Most medical assistants work full time, which is defined as working more than 35 hours per week.2 In fact, nearly 60 percent of medical assistants work full time.3 Many full-time medical assistants work more than 40 hours per week.4

The extra hours may be due to the nature of the job, which often requires evening and weekend hours to accommodate patients’ schedules. Or, it could be because medical assistants are often required to work overtime to complete tasks or cover for absent colleagues.5

Of course, the number of hours you’ll work as a medical assistant will also depend on your employer’s needs and schedule demands. For example, those who work in physicians’ offices may have more regular hours than those who work in hospitals, which are open 24/7.6

Whatever your schedule ends up looking like, you can rest assured that a career as a medical assistant is both secure and rewarding!

The salary of a medical assistant

There is no formal education required to become a medical assistant, although most have completed a postsecondary education program. These programs typically last between one and two years and lead to a certificate or diploma. Some community colleges offer associate degree programs in medical assisting, which take two years to complete.

The benefits of becoming a medical assistant

There are many benefits of becoming a medical assistant. One of the most appealing aspects of this career is the flexible work schedule. Medical assistants can work full-time or part-time, and many employers offer flexible hours to accommodate their employees’ needs.

The challenges of being a medical assistant

Being a medical assistant is a demanding job that requires long hours. The average medical assistant works 40 hours per week, but some work as much as 60 hours. Medical assistants are often required to work evenings and weekends, and they may be on call 24 hours a day.

Working long hours can be challenging, and medical assistants often have to sacrifice their personal lives in order to meet the demands of their job. If you are considering becoming a medical assistant, you should be prepared to make some sacrifices.

10 things you didn’t know about medical assistants

average work week for a medical assistant is 40 hours, or 8 hours per day.
They may have to work early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays.
Many medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly.
clinical tasks may include taking and recording patients’ vital signs and medical histories, administering medications and injections, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with diagnostic tests, and collecting and preparing laboratory specimens.
administrative tasks may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance forms, handling correspondence, ordering supplies, and handling bookkeeping duties.

5 medical assistant myths debunked

There are a lot of misconceptions about medical assistants and what they do. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths:

1. Medical assistants only work a few hours a week.

This couldn’t be further from the truth! Most medical assistants work full-time, and many work more than 40 hours per week. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average medical assistant works nearly 36 hours per week.

2. Medical assistants don’t need any formal training.

While it’s true that you don’t need a degree to become a medical assistant, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a formal training program. These programs typically last between one and two years, and they can be found at many community colleges and technical schools.

3. Medical assistants only do clerical work.

Medical assistants do perform many administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and handling billing and insurance paperwork. However, they also provide direct patient care, such as taking vital signs and assisting with medical procedures.

4. All medical assistants are female.

Traditionally, the medical assistant profession has been dominated by women. However, this is changing—according to the BLS, nearly 20 percent of medical assistants are now men.

5. You have to be certified to be a medical assistant.”

Wrong again! While certification is voluntary, it can help you stand out from other job candidates and give you a boost in pay—according to the BLS, certified medical assistants earn 20 percent more than non-certified workers.”

How Many Hours Does a Medical Assistant Work a Week?