Medical Assistant Careers & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

Doctor’s offices and hospital emergency rooms are busy places, and it is important that every patient has access to a qualified professional that can make them feel comfortable and perform the treatment that they need to receive. Although doctors and nurses do their best, it is sometimes impossible for them to spend the entire visit with one patient. In order to make the best use of their time, doctors and nurses often make use of medical assistants that can explain treatment methods, address patient concerns and questions, take vital signs and make sure the patient has completed all necessary paperwork before the doctors sees them. Medical assistants have to be very versatile, as they may be asked to explain a procedure to a patient in one minute and answer phones the next.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$23,800
Salary Range
$19,200 - $27,000

Work Environment

Because medical assistants must work so closely with patients, doctors and nurses on daily basis, they are most often employed by public health clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, private doctor’s practices and the offices of other types of medical professionals, like optometrists, pediatricians, chiropractors and podiatrists. They must be energetic and able to relate to many different kinds of people.

High School Preparation

Individuals who think they might enjoy the responsibilities of the medical assistant should focus on developing good multi tasking skills and knowledge of the health professions while they are in high school. Supporting courses to focus on might include biology, algebra, chemistry, physical education, and typing. Other subjects to cover if available include medical office management, business administration, data processing, and first aid.

Requirements

While it is possible to achieve the position of medical assisting through employment in other areas of the doctor’s office or hospital, the best way to prepare for the position is to attend an accredited program in medical assisting. These programs are readily available at most medical vocational schools and community colleges. Be sure to seek out a program that offers plenty of hands on clinical experience and the possibility of internships. Following completion of one of these programs, students are required to pass a national certification exam which is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. After completing this exam with satisfactory marks, individuals are permitted to use the letters CMA after their name.

Career Outlook

The number of jobs that are available for qualified medical assistants is expected to experience rapid growth in the next ten years. This is due to the fact that more and more people are living longer and requiring greater amounts of health care. Medical assistants will become vital as doctors and nurses scramble to keep up with the volume.

Professional Organizations

American Association of Medical Assistants
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1575
Chicago, IL 60606-2963
Phone: (800) 228-2262
www.aama-ntl.org