Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in AZ

The average hourly pay for a medical assistant in Arizona is $15.17. Visit PayScale to research medical assistant hourly pay by city, experience, skill, employer and more.

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Job Description

Medical assistants are unlicensed professionals who perform many tasks in doctors’ offices and other outpatient facilities. There is a lot of variation in their job duties, depending on state law, the size and type of the employer’s practice, and the assistant’s training and experience. In general, Medical Assistants

-Take medical histories and record vital signs
-Help patients to fill out medical forms
-Prepare treatment rooms for examination
-Hand instruments and other materials to physicians during examinations
-Schedule appointments
– instruct patients about medications and special diets
– Arrange for laboratory tests and X-rays
-Code patients’ diagnoses for insurance purposes
– Transcribe physicians’ orders
-Send bills to insurance companies

Duties and Responsibilities

Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically trained to work in outpatient facilities such as medical offices and clinics. Their duties vary greatly, depending on the size and location of their employers. Most medical assistants have administrative duties, such as answering phones, greeting patients, updating and filing patient medical records scheduling appointments, and handling correspondence. They also may take patients’ vital signs and medical histories, prepare patients for examination, collect specimens for laboratory tests, explain treatment procedures to patients, assist physicians during examinations, and sterilize medical instruments.

A growing number of medical assistants are trained to perform basic laboratory tests on blood and tissue specimens, exposing X-rays , removing sutures , dressing wounds , giving injections , taking electrocardiograms , authorizing prescription refills , handling billing and bookkeeping , ordering supplies , arranging hospital admissions and laboratory services; handling correspondence; scheduling appointments; preparing patients for examination; collecting specimens for laboratory tests; instructing patients about medicationto prepare them for special diagnostic procedures educational requirements for medical assistants vary greatly. Although formal education is not required in all States or by all employers, completion of an accredited one-year program is generally necessary to receive certification. Arizona offers several certification options to choose from when pursuing a career as a medical assistant.

Salary

The average hourly pay for a Medical Assistant in Arizona is $15.72. Salary estimates are based on 1,109 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Medical Assistant employees in Arizona.

Education and Training

MA’s must complete an accredited certificate, diploma, or associate degree program. Interested individuals can find many of these programs at community colleges, technical schools, and some universities. Some online programs are also available, although clinical components usually need to be completed in person. Coursework generally includes instruction in Medical Terminology anatomy and physiology, administrative medical assisting, and medical office procedures. Some states require MA’s to be licensed or certified; requirements vary by state. The American Association of Medical Assistants offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. To earn this credential, candidates must successfully complete an accredited educational program and an examination administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Skills and Qualifications

Education: Most medical assistants have completed a postsecondary education program of either a certificate or diploma. Some programs take as little as one semester to complete, while others may last up to 2 years. A few hundred hours of clinical experience is usually part of the curriculum

Certification: Although not required in all states, some employers prefer or require certification for medical assistants. Certification shows that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the job and keeps medical assistants up-to-date on the latest medical procedures and technology. The Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants awards the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential after students pass a national exam. To be eligible for this exam, individuals must either graduate from an accredited program or have 5 years or more of work experience as a medical assistant. Alternatively, the National Healthcare Association awards the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential to those who pass its national exam. There are no educational requirements for taking this exam, but individuals must have completed a training program or have 1 year or more of work experience as a medical assistant

Job Outlook

The average hourly pay for a Medical Assistant in Arizona is $15.34. Visit PayScale to research medical assistant hourly pay by city, experience, skill, employer and more.

Advancement Opportunities

As a medical assistant, you may find that there are many opportunities for advancement within your career. With experience, you may be able to move into a management position or take on additional responsibilities, such as insurance billing and coding or patient education. You may also be able to pursue a career as a medical office administrator.

Working Conditions

Medical assistants work in clean, well-lit offices and clinics. They spend a lot of time on their feet, moving from one patient to another. They may have to lift or turn disabled patients. Medical assistants usually work full time, but some work part time, evenings, or weekends.

What Medical Assistants Do

Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice.

Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate. However, some states have regulations that may require medical assistants to take continuing education courses and pass a competency exam. Many voluntary certifications are available for medical assistants.

Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent 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 physicians’ offices, and for staffing in other healthcare settings

How to Become a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are in high demand and the job outlook is excellent. If you’re considering this career, you’re probably wondering how to become a medical assistant. The good news is that it’s a relatively short path to a great career.

Most medical assistants have at least a certificate or associate degree from an accredited program. Many of these programs can be completed in as little as one year. Once you have your degree or certificate, you can sit for the certified medical assistant exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

After passing the exam, you will be a certified medical assistant (CMA). Although certification is not required in all states, it will give you an edge in the job market and may be required by some employers. In addition, CMAs must complete continuing education credits every few years to maintain their certification.

If you’re ready to start your new career as a medical assistant, contact us today to learn more about our accredited program.