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With the increase in the number of private practices, outpatient clinics and other healthcare facilities, the need for support personnel is expected to increase significantly over the next decade.

. Duties of the Medical Assistant

The responsibilities of a medical assistant may vary depending on the size and type of the medical practice. For example, in a small office the assistant may be required to multi-task, performing a variety of both administrative and clinical duties. Clerical tasks performed range from answering the phone and greeting patients to updating and filing medical records and completing insurance forms. With a greater degree of training, experience, and certification a medical assistant may be responsible for a variety of clinical duties including taking vital signs, assisting with patient examinations, and collecting specimens. With the guidance of a physician and as allowed by state law, the medical assistant may give injections and administer medication. Medical assistants employed by specialists such as opthamologists will be responsible for specific tasks such as administering vision tests and teaching patients the procedure for properly inserting contact lenses.

Earnings Potential

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, medical assistants in the U.S. can expect a starting salary of approximately $10.00 per hour. The mean salary is $14.31 per hour which equates to $29,760 annually. For those willing to relocate, medical assistants in Alaska earn approximately $18.00 an hour. Residents of Washington D.C. can expect compensation of $17.00 an hour or more while individuals who live in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Hawaii are paid about $16.00 hourly.

Requirements for Employment

Not only do the majority of medical practitioners require their assistants be certified, it is compulsory in many states. After completing an educational program in a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), the next step toward certification is to take an exam. Athough there are several associations that provide certification, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Association of Medical Technologists (AMT) are the most well-known.

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