Medical Assistant Training Programs in New York
To become a medical assistant in New York State, no license or certification is legally required. However, voluntarily pursuing formal medical assistant training and then testing to become a certified medical assistant (CMA) or registered medical assistant (RMA) demonstrates a commitment to the profession that will grant you a competitive edge in the job-seeking process. Additionally, while it is not required legally, more and more employees prefer their hires to have formal training. It can also translate to more respect on the job, more job security, and greater chances at advancement. Find schools offering medical assistant programs listed below.
Medical Assistant Training Programs in New York
Depending on the program, medical assistant training courses involve clinical as well as clerical training. Instruction typically covers basic human anatomy, vital signs, medical terminology, lab technology, phlebotomy, first aid, as well as computer skills, insurance procession, and patient intake and relations and communication skills. Certificate programs often take about nine months to a year and most associate’s programs will take 18 to 24 months to complete.
To become a certified medical assistant, you must first choose an accredited program that is right for you. It can be a program that results in an associate degree or a certification, but it must be a accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. To be eligible to sit for the registered medical assistant (RMA) exam the program must have the CAAHEP (program) or ABHES (institutional or programmatic) accreditation or be a nationally accredited institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education and offering a medical assisting program with at least 720 hours of medical assistant skills training including an externship.
A Medical Assistant in New York generally earns a salary between $25,000 and $30,000, and it is usually higher in more urban areas. They can work in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. The job outlook for medical assistants in New York is very good as the healthcare industry expands to meet the needs of an expanding aging population. Support medical staff, such as medical assistants, will see great opportunity as medical providers look to provide care in the most cost-efficient manner possible in hospitals, clinics and smaller physician offices. Take the first step toward this exciting and rewarding career by requesting information from the schools below.
You may also be interested in the Medical Billing and Coding programs in New York. Medical billing and coding offers similar job projections over the next decade and earnings potential can be a bit higher in the field.
(Sources: AAMA, CAAHEP, ABHES, New York State Society of Medical Assistants.
