Medical Assistant Salary fluctuates depending on your experience, educational qualification, and even the place of their job. The matter related to the  assistant salary depends on a lot of factors. You probably know that the amount of money that a medical assistant gets paid is not uniform everywhere and it is subject to changes. You can get all your desired information about medical school.

Medical assistant salary Texas, is different from the medical office assistant salary California. Again, within California, medical assistant salary San Francisco is different from that of a medical assistant operating in Vallejo. Besides, the salary amount depends highly on whether the medical assistant is a certified one or not. We understand that things can get overwhelming for those of you who are not professionals.

Well, we will make things easier for you to understand by breaking the topic down into smaller groups. Not only shall we get to know everything related to medical assistant salary, but we would also research the various job responsibilities and educational requirements of medical assistants. One can check details about Medical assistant jobs.

So, let’s not wait anymore and jump into the topic straight away.

Official Survey

More than 4,000 medical assistants from around the country participated in the Pay and Benefits Study of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The survey revealed some very important findings of the effect of education, geography, and industry on earning opportunities for medical helpers.

Employee benefits are often seen as an important component of Medical Assistant Salary. 87 percent of all full-time respondents reported receiving any kind of benefits from their employer, according to the AAMA ‘s compensation study.

Of those medical assistants that are receiving benefits from their employers, nearly 74 percent reported receiving extensive medical coverage and another 61 percent reported receiving vision coverage.

Medical Assistant Salary for Certified vs. Non-Certified Medical Assistants  

Among other things, the AAMA survey found that there was a significant gap in compensation between non-certified medical assistants and medical assistants who held certification with a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA):

• The average salary for full-time, non-CMA certified medical assistants: $14.29 / hour or $27.914/year
• The average salary for full-time CMA-certified medical assistants: $15.35 per hour, or $29.889 per year

salary data were further broken down by years of experience for medical assistants:

Experience: 0-2 years

$13.44 per hour for full-time CMAs, or $25,848 per year 

$13.25 per hour or $25,658 per annum for non-CMAs full-time 

Experience years: 3–5 

$14.83 per hour for full-time CMAs, or $25,158 per year 

$14.30 per hour or $26.340 per annum for non-CMAs full-time 

Experience years: 6–9 

$15.67 per hour or $30,756 for full-time CMAs per annum 

$15.69 per hour or $29,821 per annum for non-CMAs full-time 

Experience years: 10–15

$16.96 per hour or $32,954 per annum for CMAs full-time 

$17.72 per hour or $35,300 per annum for non-CMAs full-time 

Experience years: 16-plus 

$18.16 per hour or $36.038 annually for full-time CMAs 

For full-time non-CMAs, $18.28 per hour or $37,528 per annum 

CMAs’ demand for their non-CMA certified counterparts (and higher wages) may be due to several factors, including:

The stresses of potential malpractice suits: Managed care organizations may issue mandates to employ certified medical assistant salary to employ them. Students can also check details about medical assistant training .

According to the 2012 regulation by the Centers for Medicaid Services, only certified medical assistants are allowed to enter the laboratory, medication, and other radiology orders into the order entry system of computerized providers (Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records Incentive Programs).

Medical Assistant Salary Us-Geographic Area-based Wages

The US Pacific region posted the highest annual earnings of $33,322 ($17.60 per hour) for full medical assistants with the CMA certification. New England followed closely behind, with CMAs receiving an average of $30,997 a year there, while the West North Central area posted the second-highest wage of $16.15 an hour.

• New England: $15.93 per hour/$30,997 per year Middle Atlantic: $15.22 per hour/$29,756 per year
• East North Central: $14.67 per hour/$28,614 per year
• West North Central: $16.15 per hour/$30,871 per year
• South Atlantic: $14.54 per hour/$28,619 per year
• East South Central: $14.13 per hour/$28,712 per year
• West South Central: $14.75 per hour/$30,450 per year
• Mountain: $15.06 per hour/$30,208 per year
• Pacific: $17.60 per hour/$33,322 per year

In this regard, among the states, the medical assistant salary in California is a bit higher than the others. Within that state, the medical assistant salary in San Francisco and Vallejo are the highest in the country and also the Medical Assistant Salary Us for the innovation and growth of the student in the field of medical science.

• Vallejo, California: $46,170 per annum
• San Francisco, California: $45,640 per annum

On the other hand, the medical assistant salary in Texas is $35274 per annum.

Medical Assistant Jobs- Wages by Work Setting

The AAMA compensation survey also broke down salaries for medical assistants (CMA) by the location they work in. Approximately 87 percent of the medical assistants those surveyed, reported to be currently working in a physician’s office, and just 2.6 percent reported to be working in an ambulatory or emergency setting, while another 1.1 percent reported being working in an outpatient surgery setting. If you want to get more information about how much does a medical assistant make then click on this link.

7.4 percent of individuals reported being working in “other” workplace settings, like nursing homes, hospital care, and home care.

According to the work setting, average wages for medical assistants include:

• Ambulatory setting: $16.26 per hour/$32,350 per year
• Emergency/outpatient hospital department: $15.94 per hour/$33,745 per year
• Physician’s offices: $15.32 per hour/$29,749 per year
• Other: $15.95 per hour/$30,958 per year

Of the 87 percent of respondents working in physician’s offices, 64 percent of medical assistants reported working in a primary care clinic or hospital, while another 32 percent reported working in medical or surgical specialties. 

Fifty-one percent of Medical Assistant Salary reported having worked in a single-specialty practice while 45 percent reported having worked in a multi-specialty environment.

If you need more information about what is the average salary for a medical assistant then Medical assistants employed in primary care facilities posted an average salary of $15.19 an hour or $29,412 per year, while medical assistants in other medical and surgical specialty offices posted a modest decrease in pay, at $15.75 per hour or $31,004 per annum.

Medical assistant salary working in the office of a multi-specialty physician reported an average wage of $15.44 an hour or $30,062 per year, marginally higher than those working in the offices of a single specialty physician who reported an average income of $15.26 an hour or $29,791 per annum.

Medical assistants are charged with a variety of roles, both clinical and administrative in nature, as critical healthcare support personnel in ambulatory clinics, physician offices, and similar environments.

As such, these healthcare professionals have to meet specific employment requirements to ensure that they are able to perform the medical assistant’s job in a competent and capable way.

Medical Office Assistant Salary-Training Prerequisites 

Employers typically require Medical Assistant Salary to be trained with a standardized medical assistive education. Such programs, most often in the form of a certificate, diploma, or associate degree, usually last from 10 months to 2 years and are offered by community colleges, vocational-technical schools, as well as conventional campus and online schools.

It is worth considering programs that are accredited by a nationally recognized certifying body, such as Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) when pursuing medical aid education.

There are three distinct divisions of a comprehensive Medical Assistant Salary program:

• Administrative,
• Clinical, and
• Externship.

Externships are often carried out at licensed health care facilities. Most programs are structured to prepare students to take one or more of the credential exams nationally recognized, such as the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) or the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

Certified Medical Assistant Salary-Requirements for Certification 

Though national certification for medical assistants is not a requirement across the board, many find that holding a national credential expands their career options. Additionally, some states allow medical assistants to possess some kind of nationally recognized qualifications that perform unique medical tasks.

National certification enables medical assistants to demonstrate advanced medical assistance comprehension and skills while still demonstrating dedication to the profession and continued professional growth. 

Numerous national certifications may be pursued by Medical Assistant Salary, which usually include meeting specific eligibility requirements and passing related examinations. For further information visit here medical assistant certification.

• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant by The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel In Ophthalmology:
• Certified Podiatric Medical Assistant by The American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistant
• Registered Medical Assistant credential by The American Medical Technologists
• Certified Medical Assistant credential by The American Association of Medical Assistants
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant by the National Healthcare Association
• The National Certified Medical Assistant by the National Center for Competency Testing

Medical Assistant Salary Us-State Prerequisites 

Medical assistants are also expected to attend training to perform different tasks, depending on the employers’ or state requirements. For example, the California Medical Board needs medical assistants to receive training in California before they can administer medicine by intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections, or perform venipuncture or skin punctures.

Requirements include at least 10 hours of training and under close instructional supervision perform at least 10 of each type of injection or skin test satisfactorily.

On the other hand, states may detail what kinds of tasks do not allow medical assistants to perform.

In Montana, for instance, medical assistants are not allowed to conduct any form of invasive procedures, including vaccinations (other than for immunization purposes), unless they are directly supervised on-site in the presence of a podiatrist or physician. 

Medical Assistant Jobs-Employment Prerequisites 

Job requirements for Medical Assistant Salary, although they may differ depending on the specialty of the profession or the size of the profession, are usually expected to perform the following duties:

• Perform administrative activities, such as bookkeeping procedures and reviewing insurance claims
• Set and keep patient records
• Carry out clinical tasks including sterilization techniques, 
• Collection of specimens, 
• Carry out diagnostic tests, 
• Handle vital signs, 
• Patient care
• Communicate with a variety of patients regarding disease prevention, health care, community resources, and doctor’s instructions
• Maintain professional model behavior and appearance in multicultural workplace environments
• Assist the patient with surgical procedures

Medical assistants are expected to conduct a variety of administrative tasks, such as:

• Arranging appointments,
• Medical correspondence,
• Medical billing and coding,
• Medical transcription, and
• Electronic records management.

Hospital duty duties also include:

• Patient assessment and questioning,
• Carrying out simple in-office procedures,
• Prescribing medications, and
• Sterilizing supplies and equipment.

In addition to clinical and administrative expertise, many employers require Medical Assistant Salary to have specific characteristics, all of which certainly help them excel in their profession:

• Analytical skills – Analytical skills are a must for medical assistants, as they enable them to understand medical charts, billing, insurance billing, and medical coding better.
• Detail-oriented – Knowledgeable medical assistants are often in demand, as comprehensive and reliable records of patients are vital to every physician’s practice.
• Empathy and Compassion – Being understanding, patient, and empathetic are absolutely necessary skills for medical assistants to become successful in their careers. They will be required to constantly interact with patients. In such a scenario, they must be able to make patients feel easy. one can also check detail about medical assistant scope of practice.

Medical Assistant Jobs-Description

A well-administered and convenient medical office, clinic, or other healthcare setting is vital for the success of the practice and for the quality of the healthcare services that they provide. Medical administrative assistants, the people behind the desk, and the scenes provide the administrative assistance necessary to ensure that all patients are provided with the highest quality of care and service.

Medical Assistant’s Positions and Duties 

Medical administrative assistants can be responsible for all office tasks, including accounting, billing, charting, medical transcription, patient scheduling, and filing insurance claims. Typically these medical aid professionals are the first point of contact with patients

Welcoming them and taking initial details, including contact information and insurance.

Many traditional responsibilities of an assistant at the medical office include:

• Managing and updating patient records
• Greeting patients
• Making appointments
• Maintaining the front desk and reception areas
• Performing general accounting and billing services
• Transcribing treatment notes
• Arranging for patient hospitalization
• Processing insurance forms
• Overseeing office and medical supplies inventory
• Managing email and looking after mail traffic

It is probable that the position of the medical office assistant will be specialized in broad settings, such as hospitals. For example, one or more assistants in the medical office may be responsible for accounting and record-keeping, while another assistant may be solely responsible for insurance billing.

In clinical settings, on the other hand, medical office assistants can handle patient traffic for wellness appointments and special screenings and work a more predictable and organized routine. Medical office assistants are less likely to have clearly defined roles in smaller settings, such as physician practices, with these medical support professionals handling any number of administrative jobs.

Assistant Skills in the Medical Office 

A well-organized hospital department, medical office, or outpatient care center depends on superb medical assistants to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the business with minimal interruptions. Hence assistant jobs in the medical office require excellent written and oral communication skills.

Since medical office assistants are often the first point of contact between a patient and the medical office, they have to be friendly, congenial, and well-managed. Besides, medical office assistant positions include getting outstanding phone etiquette. They always have to remain calm and friendly to patients, even those who are stressed, anxious, or hard to manage.

Furthermore, due to the fact that much of the work of medical office assistants are now done using computer systems, these jobs involve being technically proficient. A good assistant to the medical office also has a strong understanding of:

• Medical terminology
• Industry software applications
• Accounting procedures
• Insurance billing procedures
• Medical ethics and laws

Medical Administrative Assistant Salary-Requirements to become a Physician Assistant 

Many practices and healthcare facilities need medical office assistants who have completed a physician assistant training and education program, or physician administrative assistant programs, instead of traditional office support worker programs, due to the complexity of the healthcare industry and its related technology.

Though a general Medical Assistant Salary program, irrespective of being a certificate, diploma, or associate level provides a rigorous curriculum in both the clinical and administrative aspects of the medical assistant profession, people who wish to focus their career paths solely on medical administration may choose to finish an accredited medical administrative assistant salary program. Student can check detail about how to become a medical assistant online.

Such a type of medical assistant certification program is typically focused on the following topics:

• Medical terminology
• Medical law and ethics
• Interpersonal professional communications
• Anatomy and physiology for medical offices
• Office accounting
• Medical office procedures
• Software applications
• Healthcare coding
• Medical transcription

Students who undergo a medical administrative assistant program are also provided thorough instruction in the following:

• Medical malpractice and medical practice specialties
• Medical records management
• Confidentiality of the medical record
• Personnel management and communication
• Fraud abuse and compliance
• Documentation and risk assessment
• Technology in the healthcare environment
• Responsibilities of the office manager
• Abbreviations used in the office
• Medical accounting, 
• Financial statements, 
• Cost analysis, 
• Budgeting
• Patient bill of rights and confidentiality
• Professional fees management, 
• Billing and collecting procedures,
• Credit arrangements
• Specialty office responsibilities
• Office policy and procedure manual
• Ordering supplies and equipment
• Federal and state regulations
• Medical emergencies

Certified Medical Assistant Salary – Need for Certification

The next logical step for many potential medical office assistants is to seek national certification as a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) through the National Healthcareer Association, following the completion of an externship or medical assistant program.

Among the other recognized credentials for medical office assistants include the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), American Medical Assistants Association (AMAA), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, and the American Medical Technologists (AMT) credential.

Remember that the medical office assistant salary depends widely on whether someone is a certified worker or not. In this regard, if you wish to earn a higher certified medical assistant salary, ensure that you enroll yourself in a suitable certification program.

The CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) Certification

The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is one of the most commonly recognized national certifications for medical aides.

Many employers within the country are now seeking medical assistants who possess the CMA credential as it provides evidence, according to the AAMA, that the candidate exercises a high level of diligence and care in his/her medical assisting job. you can also check detail about become a medical assistant in 6 weeks.

Medical assistants must be able to fulfill a certain number of requirements to become a CMA:

• Candidates must have completed a Medical Assistant Salary program (maybe a one-year diploma or certificate program, or a two-year associate program) accredited by either: 

• The CAAHEP 
• The ABHES 

• Candidates must take the CMA Certification Examination and more importantly, pass it. 

Prometric offers research services based on a computer for the CMA Certification Examination. The CMA must be renewed every five years, and recertification depends on either completing the CMA Certification / Recertification Exam or completing the continuing education.

For renewing a CMA credential, a total of 60 recertification points are required. This must accumulate at least 30 points as follows:

• 10 points in administrative
• 10 points in clinical
• 10 points in general

Also, of the 60 recertification points, at least 30 must be accumulated from continuing education units approved by AAMA. One unit of continuing education, one communication hour, or one hour of college credit equals one level of recertification.

The CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) Certification 

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is reserved for Medical Assistant Salary who can meet the following eligibility requirements and take and pass the CCMA exam:

• Should have a secondary school certificate or the equivalent
• Should have completed a training program or possesses a year of medical assistant work experience

Special Certifications for Aspiring Medical Assistants

Those Medical Assistant who are working for specialty practitioners might want to become certified in one of the following programs:

• Podiatric Medical Assistant, Certified (PMAC): Candidates have to be a podiatric medical assistant who’s been a member of the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistant Salary in good standing for at least 90 days and has been hired by a podiatry bureau.
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA): Candidates can become eligible for the COA credential via the Career Advancement Tool (JCAT), a packaged educational resource that enables medical assistants to be eligible to appear for the COA exam.

Curtain Closed
Now that you have completed reading this extensive article, we believe that all your doubts regarding medical assistant salary are clarified. However, it might be possible that you have some more questions that we may have missed. In that case, leave a comment below and let us know about your thoughts. One can visit our Home page to get all the desired information about Online school near me.