May also be called: Certified Medical Assistants (CMA); Medical Office Assistants; Optometric Assistants; Clinical Assistants; Registered Medical Assistants; Certified Ophthalmic Technicians; Chiropractor Assistants; and Ophthalmic Assistants
Medical Assistants greet patients in medical offices or other medical settings where they help doctors with examinations and treatments. They run routine lab tests such as urinalysis and blood counts. They may take blood pressure readings and take temperatures. They may give injections or perform ‘finger sticks’ to draw small amounts of blood if they are properly trained. Assistants may instruct patients about medication and self-treatment. They prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations and sterilize and arrange instruments and equipment used in treatment and diagnosis. They check office and lab supplies and keep the waiting, consulting, and examination rooms neat and orderly. Medical Assistants deal with patients from many cultures. To obtain information for the doctor, Medical Assistants need the ability to put patients at ease and get them to talk freely. This is especially important with patients who are reluctant to discuss their reason for seeing the doctor and those with limited English-speaking skills.
Each task below is matched to a sample skill required to carry out the task.
Medical Assistants usually work in pleasant, well-lit, air-conditioned offices. They lift, stand, stoop, and walk to do their work. They constantly interact with other people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once. Uniforms are usually required and may be supplied by employers. Most full-time Medical Assistants work a regular 40-hour week. Some work part-time, evenings, or weekends. Many employers hire part-time Assistants. Medical Assistants working for hospitals and nursing homes sometimes join the Health Care Workers division of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Medical Assistants frequently show social, conventional, and realistic traits. Social occupations frequently involve working with, communication with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
The median wage in 2021 for Medical Assistants in California was $40,938 annually, or $19.68 hourly. The median wage for Medical Assistants in Kings County was $31,926 annually, or $15.35 hourly. The median is the point at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.
Benefits normally include paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave. Many Assistants also enjoy employer-paid health and dental insurance, and retirement plans.
Medical Assistants are one of the fastest growing occupations in California. Employment growth is expected because of the increase in the number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities that need greater numbers of support personnel, particularly the flexible Medical Assistant who can handle both administrative and clinical duties. Because many health care employers prefer a trained staff, job prospects should be best for Medical Assistants with formal training or experience.
In California, the number of Medical Assistants is expected to grow much faster than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Medical Assistants are expected to increase by 24.5 percent, or 24,900 jobs between 2018 and 2028.
In Kings County, the number of Medical Assistants is expected to grow at an average rate compared with the total for all occupations. Jobs for Medical Assistants are expected to increase by 6.5 percent, or 20 jobs between 2018 and 2028.
A formal training program lasting one or two years is now the most common entry into the occupation. Many employers will hire an applicant directly from such a program. Experienced Medical Assistants have an advantage when seeking employment, but most employers do not require it. Some employers will hire applicants with no experience or training, and train them on the job. This is less common than in previous years.
Experience is helpful, but not required, in order to find a job in this field. Many employers will hire an applicant directly from such a training program. Experienced Medical Assistants have an advantage when seeking employment, but inexperienced workers should still be able to find a job.
Science and math are two classes that might help prepare the high school student for a training program.
Medical Assistants are not licensed, certified, or registered by the State of California. However, the Medical Assistant's employer and/or supervising physician's or podiatrist's malpractice insurance carrier may require that the Medical Assistant be certified by a national or private association. A Medical Assistant must be certified by an approved certifying organization in order to train other Medical Assistants. For more information, go to the U.S. Department of Labor's Career InfoNet Web site at www.acinet.org and scroll down to "Career Tools." Click on "Certification Finder" at www.acinet.org/certifications_new/default.aspx and follow the instructions to locate certification programs.
There are two ways to search for training information at www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/resources/training-and-apprenticeships.html
Contact the schools you are interested in to learn about the classes available, tuition and fees, and any prerequisite course work.
Most Medical Assistants work in doctors offices. Others work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, schools, and other health care practitioners offices, including chiropractors, optometrists, and podiatrists. The largest industries employing Medical Assistants are as follows:
Direct contact with employers is a traditional means to finding a job as a Medical Assistant. College placement offices, company recruiting events, job fairs, and online job search sites are also good places to look. Career associations sometimes offer job openings on their Web sites. Online job opening systems include JobCentral at www.jobcentral.com and CalJOBSSM at www.caljobs.ca.gov.To find your nearest One-Stop Career Center, go to Service Locator. View the helpful job search tips for more resources. (requires Adobe Reader).
You can focus your local job search by checking employers listed online or in your local telephone directory. Below are some suggested headings where you might find employers of Medical Assistants.
To locate a list of employers in your area, use "Find Employers" on the LaborMarketInfo Web site at http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/aspdotnet/databrowsing/empMain.aspx?menuChoice=emp
With additional training a Medical Assistant can become a licensed vocational nurse or registered nurse.
Below is a list of occupations related to Medical Assistants.
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The following codes are provided to assist counselors, job placement workers, or other career professionals.
Printed on Saturday, May 21, 2022