subject: Duties, Salary And Certification Requirements For Medical Assistants [print this page] A career in the healthcare industry is booming. One of the job positions that you can apply for that offers competitive salary is a medical assistant These health professionals work in different settings. They can work in the hospital or in the doctor's office. Because of their different work settings, they are needed to be trained so they can handle their duties well.
As of their duties, they are categorized into 4 different areas:
Clerical. This will include answering the phones, handling appointments, sorting out mail, typing, transcribing and filling out forms. Billing and bookkeeping duties may also be given to a medical assistant. Essentially, they are tasked to keep the medical facility well-organized in order to run smoothly.
Administrative. Duties in this area will include clerical tasks but medically oriented. You will need to update patients' charges, fill out insurance forms, and schedule medical procedures.
Clinical. If you are assigned as a clinical MA, you will take vital signs, draw blood, remove sutures, purchase medical supplies, and prepare patients for x-rays, among others. Clinical duties are regulated by the state law.
Specialist. The duties involved are medical-related. For that reason, you should have in-depth knowledge in the medical field.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for this occupation was estimated to be $29,760 with mean hourly wage of $14. 31 as reported in May 2010. The top paying industries for this job are the following;
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals. Assistants who work here are enjoying an annual mean wage of $39,220.
Dentists' offices. The annual mean wage was estimated to be $36,880.
Scientific research and development services. This industry offers an annual mean wage of $35,550.
Obtaining certification
It is not mandatory that you take and pass a certification examination for MA. However, your chances of getting hired and receiving higher salary package are great when you are certified.
How to get a certification?
Complete a medical assistant education program from an accredited medical assisting school. The school that you need to enroll in should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Take a certification examination. Two of the most popular associations that offer certification credential are American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and Association of Medical Technologists (AMT).
Once you pass the certification examination, you become a certified medical assistant. Depending on the certification you have obtained, you will need to recertify yourself by retaking the examination or completing continuing education credits.
Certification and formal training are two of the most important aspects to become the most employable in this career. With the certification and diploma from an accredited school, you are most likely to be chosen over those who are not certified.
