Medical Assistant Training in Westchester NY

Find out about the medical assistant training program at Westchester Community College in Westchester, New York.

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Introduction to Medical Assisting

Medical assisting is one of the nation’s fastest-growing careers, with employment projected to grow 29% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.1 As a medical assistant you will perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly.

The duties of Medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the size and type of practice. In small practices, Medical Assistants might perform many different tasks, including taking patient histories and recording vital signs, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services, handling correspondence, billing, and coding for insurance purposes. In large practices and clinics, medical assistants generally are assigned specific duties. For example, some might work solely with billing and insurance claims while others might be trained primarily in laboratory procedures. No matter what their particular responsibilities might be, all medical assistants contribute to making sure that patients receive high-quality care.

The Importance of Medical Assisting

Medical assistants are an important part of any medical team. They are the first point of contact with patients, and they play a vital role in providing quality patient care. They also perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, and they must be able to work well under pressure.

Medical assistants must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team. They must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to maintain a professional demeanor at all times. They must also be able to multitask and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously.

Medical assistants must be able to work well under pressure. They must be able to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously, and they must be able to maintain a professional demeanor at all times.

Medical assistant training programs typically last between 9 months and 2 years, and they led to either an associate’s degree or a certificate.

The Benefits of Medical Assisting

For those looking for a career in the medical field, becoming a medical assistant is a great option. Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical tasks in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They are often the first point of contact for patients and play an important role in providing quality patient care.

There are many benefits to becoming a medical assistant, including:

• Job security – The demand for medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This continued growth is due to an aging population and the increasing number of individuals with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.

• Good pay – Medical assistants earned a median annual salary of $32,480 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means that half of all medical assistants earned less than this amount while half earned more.

• Versatility – Medical assistants can often find work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and even alternative medicine practices. This gives them the opportunity to choose an employment setting that best suits their needs and interests.

• rewarding work – Medical assisting is a personally rewarding career because it allows individuals to help others on a daily basis. Medical assistants often form close relationships with their patients and their families and feel gratified by the knowledge that they have made a difference in someone’s life.

The Roles of Medical Assistants

A medical assistant is a vital member of any healthcare team. Medical assistants perform both clinical and clerical duties, and their responsibilities vary depending on the size of the medical practice and the scope of each individual’s training and experience.

In small medical practices, medical assistants may be responsible for a wide range of duties, from scheduling appointments to taking patient histories and performing basic lab tests. In larger practices, medical assistants may specialize in one or more areas, such as insurance billing or transcribing physicians’ notes.

Medical assistants must be able to clearly communicate with patients, staff and physicians. They should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to work well under pressure. Medical assistants must also be detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to multitask effectively.

Those who are interested in becoming a medical assistant can find training programs at many community colleges and technical schools. Most programs take about one year to complete and result in a certificate or diploma. Some programs also offer an associate degree in medical assisting, which takes about two years to complete.

The Skills Required for Medical Assisting

Medical assistant training programs vary in length, but most can be completed in about a year. Many programs have both classroom and hands-on components. During training, you’ll learn how to take medical histories and measure patients’ vital signs, among other tasks. You will also learn how to prepare patients for medical procedures, assist with these procedures and care for patients afterward. Many medical assistants are responsible for scheduling appointments and managing patient records.

The Education and Training Required for Medical Assisting

There are many career paths that one can take in the medical field. One of these is medical assisting. This is a demanding but rewarding profession that offers opportunities to help people on a daily basis. If you live in Westchester NY and are interested in this career, here is what you need to know about the education and training required for medical assisting.

Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks in medical offices, clinics, and hospitals. They are an important part of the healthcare team, providing support to doctors and other medical professionals. In order to become a medical assistant, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. After that, you will need to complete an accredited training program. These programs typically last about two years and result in a certificate or diploma. Some programs also offer an associate’s degree in medical assisting.

Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass a national certification exam to earn your credential as a certified medical assistant (CMA). In some states, including New York, certification is not required but it is still recommended as it will give you an edge when applying for jobs. After becoming certified, you will need to renew your credential every five years. To do this, you will need to complete continuing education courses and pass a recertification exam.

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a medical assistant in Westchester NY, the first step is to research accredited training programs in your area. Once you have completed your training and passed the certification exam, you will be well on your way to an exciting and rewarding career helping others!

The Certification and Licensure Required for Medical Assisting

Medical assistants are unlicensed individuals who perform non-invasive routine technical support services related to patient care under the supervision of a licensed health care provider. They are usually part of the administrative team in a medical office but may also take on tasks related to clinical care. In New York State, anyone can perform the duties of a medical assistant without any certification or licensure. However, many employers prefer to hire those who have been formally trained and/or are certified by a professional organization.

There are several certification programs available for medical assistants, but not all of them are recognized in New York State. The two certifications that are currently recognized by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) are the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). The CMA credential is awarded after the successful completion of an accredited medical assisting program and passage of a national certifying examination. The RMA credential is awarded after passage of a national certifying examination for those who have either completed an accredited medical assisting program or have met certain work experience requirements.

The AAMA and AMT offer online directories of accredited medical assistant programs in the United States which can be found here:

-AAMA: https://www.aama-ntl.org/cma-aama-certification/certification-verification/find-a-program?state=NY&level=1&type=1
-AMT: https://www.amt1.com/programsearch/

The Salary and Job Outlook for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are in high demand and the job outlook is positive. They are expected to see a23% increase in jobs from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.1 As the baby boomer population ages and people visit the doctor more often, there will be an increasing need for medical assistants.

In May 2018, medical assistants made a median annual salary of $33,610.2 The top 10% of earners made more than $49,160, while the bottom 10% earned less than $23,000 that year.3 Pay varies based on experience, education, geography, and employer.

There is a lot of variation in medical assistant salaries across the country. In some states, medical assistants make well above the median salary, while in others they make below it. Here are the five states with the highest median salaries for medical assistants as of May 2018:4

Alaska: $44,880 per year
Oregon: $41,040 per year
Washington: $40,770 per year
Massachusetts: $39,550 per year
Hawaii: $38,600 per year

On the other end of the spectrum are these five states with the lowest median salaries for medical assistants:4

Mississippi: $28,700 per year
Arkansas: $29,140 per year
Louisiana: $29,270 per year
South Dakota: $29,430 per year

The Career Paths for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are in demand in a variety of medical settings, from hospitals and physician’s offices to clinics and community health centers. With the right training, you can launch a career as a medical assistant in as little as a year.

In Westchester NY, medical assistants are employed in a variety of medical settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, and community health centers. With the right training, you can launch a career as a medical assistant in as little as a year.

Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, but they generally include taking and recording patient histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, scheduling appointments, answering phones, handling correspondence, billing and coding insurance forms, transcribing doctors’ orders, and handling laboratory specimens. In addition, many medical assistants take on responsibilities such as administering medications and injections under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.

The Future of Medical Assisting

The medical field is one of the few career paths that is predicted to continue growing despite the current pandemic. In fact, the need for medical assistants is expected to increase by 29% between now and 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support doctors and other healthcare professionals in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. With the aging population and advances in medical technology, there will be an increased demand for qualified medical assistants who are trained in both traditional and electronic health records management.

If you’re considering a career in healthcare, now is the time to start your training. At The Westchester Institute for Training in Pediatric Nursing, we offer a comprehensive Medical Assistant Training Program that will give you the skills you need to succeed in this rewarding field. Contact us today to learn more about our program and how we can help you start your new career!