Medical Assistants – What They Do And Do They Receive Great Pay?

In the health care industry, staff members across all disciplines are constantly in demand, more so now that the public places a greater emphasis on health. In addition, the trend of the aging baby boomers also leads to such high demand for professionals in this field. In the event that you contemplate pursuing a career in this field as a medical assistant, read on to find out more about what they do.

This is a desk job where one does much paperwork. Medical assistants spend most of their time recording appointments made by patients. In addition, they may also be in charge of the matters concerning payroll. These are the basic duties most MA will perform. As for the exact duties, it is noted that these will differ depending on the type, size as well as the location of the medical service. In short, they will perform both administrative and clinical duties when working.

So do they receive great pay, you ask? Well, this depends on several factors. Some of these factors include educational background, skills, experience and geographic location. According to the AAMA 2004 Medical Assisting Survey, the pay one receives depends on health care facility, years of experience and geographic region. The average gross pay a certified MA receives is $27,951. For non-certified MA, the average gross pay is $26,775. It is reported that certified MA are paid four times higher than non-certified MA.

In regard to health care facility, it is reported that the average pay for those working in an HMO or other managed care facility is $14.08 per hour. For those working in outpatient clinics, the average pay is $14.48 per hour. Concerning geographic region, the survey reveals that the highest paid MAs live on the East and West Coasts. In southern states, MAs seem to receive pay that is less than the national average.

About the Author:

I write articles on medical assistants. For more information about medical assistant duties and certified medical assistant exam, visit MedicalAssistantOpportunities.com.