Medical assistants require knowledge of medical terminology.
Medical assistants work in the offices of health practitioners such as physicians, chiropractors and podiatrists. They perform various tasks to keep the offices running smoothly. Most medical assistants are responsible for administrative and clerical duties such as filing paperwork, answering phones, greeting patients and scheduling appointments. Some medical assistants handle clinical duties such as taking vital signs and preparing patients for exams. The earnings of medical assistants vary depending on their experience level and employer. In Las Vegas, medical assistants earn wages higher than the national average.
Metropolitan Area Earnings
Medical assistants in Las Vegas held more than 3,300 jobs in 2009 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As of May 2009, medical assistants in Las Vegas earned mean annual wages of $32,580. Across the state of Nevada, medical assistants earned similar wages of $32,730.
National Earnings
Medical assistants across the country held approximately 495,000 jobs in 2009. Nationally, medical assistants earned median annual wages of $28,650, which is slightly less than the earnings in Las Vegas. Medical assistant salaries vary considerably depending on geographic location, employer type, experience level and the industry where they work. For example, medical assistants who work for specialty health care facilities such as psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals earn significantly more than average with wages of $46,430. Alternatively, assistants who work for general medical and surgical hospitals earned annual mean wages of $30,830 as of May 2009.
Training Programs
There are no formal education requirements for medical assistants, but employers tend to prefer those who have completed a training program. Many medical assistants train on the job. Some complete medical assisting programs at vocational or technical schools or community colleges. The Academy of Healing Arts in Las Vegas offers a medical assisting program that can be completed in seven months. The Nevada Career Institute in Las Vegas offers a medical assistant program plus a four week externship that allows students to take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it in a medical setting prior to graduation. Both schools combine classroom learning and clinical training to prepare students for entry into the occupation.
Employment
According to the BLS, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow by 34 percent through 2018, which is much faster than average. Job opportunities are excellent for medical assistants with formal training, experience and certification. The medical assistant occupation allows doctors to care for more patients. Expansion of the health care industry and advanced medical technology will increase the need for medical workers.
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