What is the Hourly Pay for a Medical Assistant?
Contents
- What is a medical assistant?
- What are the duties of a medical assistant?
- What is the hourly pay for a medical assistant?
- What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?
- What are the drawbacks of being a medical assistant?
- What is the job outlook for medical assistants?
- What are the educational requirements for medical assistants?
- What are the certification requirements for medical assistants?
- What are the skills required for medical assistants?
- What are the personality traits of successful medical assistants?
If you’re considering a career in medical assisting, you’re probably wondering about the hourly pay. Here’s what you need to know.
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What is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is a multi-skilled health professional who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in a clinic setting. Medical assistants typically perform both clinical and administrative duties, such as taking medical histories and arranging laboratory tests. Sometimes they may also assist with minor surgery or give injections.
What are the duties of a medical assistant?
Working as a medical assistant is a challenging and rewarding career. Medical Assistants perform a variety of duties, including taking medical histories, scheduling appointments, answering patient questions, and assisting with examinations. They also may perform basic laboratory tests, dispense medications, and instruct patients on how to care for themselves at home. In addition, medical assistants may be responsible for billing and coding information for insurance purposes.
What is the hourly pay for a medical assistant?
As of May 2019, the median hourly wage for a medical assistant was $17.09, or $35,590 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The lowest 10 percent of medical assistants earned less than $10.71 per hour, or $22,330 per year, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $24.63 per hour, or $51,270 per year.
What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?
There are many benefits of being a medical assistant Medical assistants are in high demand, and the job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. Medical assistants can expect to earn a good salary, and they also enjoy excellent benefits.
What are the drawbacks of being a medical assistant?
There are a few drawbacks of being a medical assistant. One is that the job can be demanding and stressful. Medical assistants often have to work long hours, and they may be on their feet for most of the day. Another drawback is that medical assistants usually don’t make a lot of money. The average hourly pay for a medical assistant is $15.16, or $31,500 per year.
What is the job outlook for medical assistants?
The job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of medical assistant jobs will grow by 29% from 2019 to 2029 — much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing number of older adults and the resulting demand for healthcare services.
What are the educational requirements for medical assistants?
Educational requirements for medical assistants vary by state and employer, but most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some states require medical assistants to complete an accredited training program and pass a certification exam, while other states do not have specific educational requirements for medical assistants. Many employers prefer to hire medical assistants who have completed an accredited training program.
What are the certification requirements for medical assistants?
While certification for medical assistants is not required in all states, many employers prefer or require certification as evidence of knowledge and skills. The most common credential is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To earn the CMA, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and pass a written examination.
Earning voluntary certification demonstrates to employers, patients, and peers that a medical assistant has the knowledge and skills to perform his or her job properly. In addition, some states use certification as a way to regulate the profession. Many employers reimburse employees for the cost of taking the CMA exam and renewing certification every 60 months.
What are the skills required for medical assistants?
As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. Your duties will vary depending on the size and type of facility in which you work, but may include taking and recording medical histories, measuring patients’ vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with procedures, scheduling appointments and handling billing and insurance paperwork.
Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate from an accredited program. Some states have approved certification programs for medical assistants. Although certification is not required in all states or by all employers, it may improve your job prospects.
What are the personality traits of successful medical assistants?
Medical assistants are in high demand due to the aging population and the Affordable Care Act They are an important part of the medical team, working alongside doctors and nurses to provide care to patients.
To be successful in this field, you will need to have certain personality traits. First and foremost, you must be compassionate. You will be working with patients who may be experiencing a great deal of pain or who are going through a difficult time in their lives. It is important that you be able to empathize with them and offer them support.
You must also be detail oriented. Medical assistants are responsible for maintaining accurate patient records and providing treatments prescribed by doctors. They must pay close attention to detail to ensure that everything is done correctly.
Organizational skills are another important trait for medical assistants. They often have to juggle multiple tasks at once, such as scheduling appointments, handling lab results, and ordering supplies. Being able to stay organized and keep track of everything is essential for success in this field.
If you have these traits, then a career as a medical assistant may be the perfect fit for you!