Medical Assistant Schools in Utah
Medical Assistant Training in Utah is available through junior or community colleges as well as vocational schools in many locations throughout the state. You can enroll in a medical assistant training program that prepares you for the certification exam in just under a year, or you can earn an associate degree in two years. The program should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are about ten such programs in the state as well as some online program offerings that can be found below, but you can check the commission’s website for any additions or changes. At the end of your training, you will take an exam given by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), and when you pass you become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). While this certification is not required by the state of Utah to practice as a medical assistant, it is greatly preferred by most employers and would give you an advantage in your job search and more professional respect in your career.
Medical Assistant Training Programs in Utah
The actual training is varied and covers both the clinical and clerical sides of medical assisting. It is an occupation that involves a lot of multi-tasking and different skills. Administrative and clerical training will cover billing, record keeping, dealing with insurance companies, making appointments, communicating with patients, and other basic office management skills. Clinical training will also teach important skills, like assessing patients, recording medical histories, taking vital signs, drawing blood, administering medications, prepping patients for procedures, and assisting physicians during exams or procedures. Medical assistants can work strictly on the administrative side, or strictly on the clinical side, but most work on both sides of the job. They also might become more specialized in larger offices or clinics.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 4,910 medical assistants in the state of Utah in 2008. The outlook for medical assistants in Utah is outstanding. According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, it is the fifth fastest growing occupation, projected to grow 59% from 2006 through 2016. This means that this is an opportune time to find a program and get started. The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing job sectors, with the state struggling to meet the medical needs of an expanding aging population. Advances in technology is another factor that enables support staff like medical assistants to take on more and more tasks in clinics and physicians’ offices. The mean salary for a CMA in Utah is around $26,730, and the mean hourly rate is $12.85. There is also a state chapter of the AAMA which can be an important professional contact for you. Find out about the best medical assistant program for you by contacting the schools listed below, and in under a year you can be entering a profession with great benefits, salary, and very good job security.
The Medical Billing and Coding programs in Utah have gained popularity with the growing complexities in health care. Salary potential is good and so are job projections.
(Sources: AAMA, salary.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CAAHEP)
