[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]How Long to Become[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-2xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold mt-0″]1-2 Years[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]Job Outlook[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-2xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold mt-0″]15% growth from 2023-2033[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]Average Annual Salary[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-2xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold mt-0″]$44,200[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a Medical Assistant Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical assistants perform administrative, clinical, and patient liaison duties. They are key members of healthcare teams dedicated to patient care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Medical Assisting Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Medical Assistants Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical assistants find employment in physicians’ and other practitioners’ offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers. The list below outlines typical duties within each workplace, although tasks vary according to state laws and a healthcare facility’s needs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Physicians’ Offices[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical assistants schedule appointments and assist with exams; in some states, they can administer medication under supervision.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Hospitals[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical assistants take vital signs, sterilize medical instruments, remove stitches, and change dressings.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Outpatient Care Centers[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical assistants collect patients’ personal information, update electronic health records, and prepare samples for lab testing.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Medical Assistant?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The 15% job growth projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) during 2023-2033 indicates ample [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/medical-assistant/how-to-become//”]medical assistant[/hen-ui-link] employment opportunities. However, a median annual medical assistant salary of $44,200 may be a drawback. The list below offers some pros and cons to consider.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Medical Assistant[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A high school diploma, GED certificate, or GRE score is the only educational prerequisite you need to enroll in a medical assistant program. You can get your [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare/medical-assistant/can-you-get-your-medical-assistant-certificate-online/”]medical assistant certificate online[/hen-ui-link] or in person.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To get a job in the field, you must graduate from a [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/medical-assistant/how-to-become//”]medical assistant program[/hen-ui-link] accredited by the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.abhes.org/” target=”_blank”]Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools[/hen-ui-link] (ABHES) or the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.caahep.org/” target=”_blank”]Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs[/hen-ui-link] (CAAHEP).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical assistant programs offered by vocational centers or colleges may take 12 months or fewer to complete. Some community colleges offer two-year medical assistant programs leading to an associate degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students in medical assistant programs receive training in basic medical care, such as taking vital signs, administering injections, and drawing blood.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The curriculum often includes classes and lab experiences in subjects like pharmacology, microbiology, urinalysis, and hematology. Coursework also covers administrative and procedural duties, healthcare records, and cultural sensitivity. All programs require a clinical internship component.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduation from an accredited program qualifies you to take the CMA (AAMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Although medical assistants may work in the field without the CMA certification, many employers prefer or require it.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://stats.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm” target=”_blank”]The BLS projects[/hen-ui-link] medical assistant jobs to grow by 15% between 2023 and 2033, increasing at a much faster rate than most other occupations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The demand for medical assistants will continue to expand as the aging U.S. population requires more preventive healthcare services. As the need for medical services grows, physicians’ offices, clinics, and outpatient centers will increasingly rely on the medical assistants to perform administrative and clinical duties[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical assistants earn an average annual wage of $44,200, or $21.25 an hour, according to May 2024 BLS data.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Annual salaries range from $35,020 for the lowest 10% to $57,830 for the top percentile of earners. Several factors such as location, type of employer, and certifications impact [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/medical-assistant/salary/”]earning potential[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The top-paying states for medical assistants, which include Alaska, Washington, Washington D.C., California, and Oregon, all offer average annual salaries above $50,000.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Opportunities for Career Advancement[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Career advancement for medical assistants often requires continued education, certification, or a segue into a career like nursing. See below for career options and pathways.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Earn an AAMA Assessment-based Certification[/hen-ui-heading]Certification areas include health education, geriatrics, and pediatrics, and medical assistants can earn their credentials online.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Earn Your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)[/hen-ui-heading]An [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]ADN program[/hen-ui-link] can be completed in two years and prepares graduates for entry-level nursing positions.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-heading]While only an ADN is required to practice as a registered nurse (RN), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing advocates for [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/top-advantages-of-a-bsn-degree//”]the BSN[/hen-ui-link] as the minimum requirement for RNs, and most employers prefer BSN-holders. A BSN may take four years to complete, but it is worth the time.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Become an RN[/hen-ui-heading]Currently, both an ADN and a BSN qualify graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/how-to-become-a-rn//”]become RNs[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the difference between a CMA and certified nursing assistant (CNA)?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While some CMA and [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]CNA duties[/hen-ui-link] overlap, CNAs provide basic personal care to their patients under the supervision of a nurse, such as helping them bathe, dress, and turn over in bed. CMAs review documented medical histories, assist during exams and procedures, administer medication under supervision in some states, and perform administrative tasks.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become a medical assistant?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical assistants can complete training at a hospital or medical facility within a few months. A postsecondary certificate or diploma at a community college, technical school, or vocational college takes about a year to complete. [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/reasons-to-get-certified-in-medical-assisting/”]The certification process[/hen-ui-link] spans less than one year, including studying for and taking the exam.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What skills are important for medical assistants?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/articles/things-medical-assistants-learn-on-the-job/”]Medical assistants[/hen-ui-link] need analytical skills to read patients’ charts and records, interpersonal skills to work with a variety of patients and healthcare staff under stressful conditions, and technical skills to use clinical instruments. Professionals must be detail-oriented to properly take vital signs and perform tasks such as coding insurance forms.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What type of questions are included on the CMA exam?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The exam’s 200 multiple choice questions cover psychology, communication, professionalism, medical terminology, and medical ethics, along with medical law and regulatory guidelines and risk management, quality assurance, and safety. Administrative questions address medical reception, patient advocacy, business practices, finances, and medical records. Clinical topics include anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient procedures, nutrition, and first aid.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]