How to Become a Medical Assistant in Alaska
Medical assistants in the U.S. are and will continue to be, in high demand for the next several years. More care facilities, specialty clinics, ambulatory needs, and generally a greater need for care assistants have put medical assisting on the map as one of the most in-demand jobs, with a projected national growth of 16 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). [Leer en español]
Typically, medical assistants are responsible for assisting, administering, tracking, and coordinating patient care. Depending on their background, training, and the setting in which they work, their duties may be specified to a set of highly specialized tasks such as managing lab samples, or they may be assigned a more general workload that includes administrative duties, scheduling, and patient records.
Medical assistants almost always work closely with patients, informing, tracking, scheduling, monitoring, and more.
Medical assistants work in administrative and medical settings of all kinds. They may work in clinics, labs, wellness centers, senior centers, specialty medical centers, outpatient settings, and emergency care, to name just a few examples.
Requirements for Becoming an Alaska Medical Assistant
Though not officially required by the state, formal training (a diploma or degree) and education to be a medical assistant are typically preferred. Colleges, universities, and trade schools often offer accredited programs, which vary from a few months to two years. Coursework for specific degrees will likely be similar among institutions.
Before enrolling in a program, make sure that it is accredited by one of the two main accreditation bodies, either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Many institutions offer practicums to help students gain experience in the field. Having experience before you graduate will typically put you steps ahead of your less-experienced competitors.
Medical Assistant Classes and Educational Programs in Alaska
As a state, Alaska differs from many others due to its unique mix of rural and urban health care. Many rural areas are underserved and offer plenty of well-paying opportunities. The costs of extensive training programs are typically in the range of $30,000 – $40,000.
Following is a sample of medical assistant programs from recognized medical assistant schools in Alaska:
Diploma in Medical Assisting from Charter College
If you are centered in or near Anchorage, you may choose to follow this route, which is a year-long program with a foundation in technical and business skills. This is a good option for those just going into the field. A 180-hour externship (practicum) is available. Graduating students are eligible for Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting, which takes approximately one and a half years to complete. There are two halves to this program—the first is clinical and the second is admin. Graduates can take the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) exam.
Alaska Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant
To get certified as a medical assistant in Alaska, you can follow the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) training from the American Association of Medical Assistants, or you may become a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) via the American Medical Technologists.
Depending on your background, it may be more suitable to follow the path of becoming a National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) from the National Center for Competency Testing. Lastly, you may choose to become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) from the National Healthcareer Association.
It’s also important to note that each certification body requires different processes to keep memberships and certifications updated.
Certified Medical Assistant Certification In Alaska
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers the CMA certification, which is the most widely accepted medical assistant credential in Alaska. To become certified and maintain your certification, you must complete certain educational requirements and have passed a certification exam.
To be eligible for CMA certification, candidates need to meet the following requirements:
• Have received a certificate, diploma, or degree from an accredited medical assistant program
• Fulfill the practical experience requirement of a minimum of five years as an unlicensed medical assistant
• Submit to and pass the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam
For more information on how to become a Certified Medical Assistant in Alaska, visit the AAMA website.
It’s important to remember that certification is only one part of becoming a medical assistant. To best prepare for your career, you should also take additional courses such as first aid and CPR, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, clinical billing, and other healthcare-related topics. This will ensure that you have the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your new career. Having a certification can also give you an edge over other medical assistants, as it demonstrates your competencies and abilities, which typically put you steps ahead of your less-experienced competitors.
By obtaining a certification in medical assisting, you will be well on your way to pursuing a successful and rewarding career in the medical field. With the right certification, experience, and education, you can become a sought-after medical assistant in Alaska.
Registered Medical Assistant Certification In Alaska
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) provides Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification training, which is also a widely accepted credential in Alaska. To become certified and maintain your certification, you must complete certain educational requirements and have passed a certification exam.
To be eligible for RMA certification, candidates need to meet the following requirements:
• Have received a certificate, diploma, or degree from an accredited medical assistant program
• Fulfill the practical experience requirement of a minimum of six months as an unlicensed medical assistant
• Submit to and pass the RMA Certification
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certification In Alaska
The National Health career Association (NHA) offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification, which is another widely accepted medical assistant credential in Alaska. To become certified and maintain your certification, you must complete certain educational requirements and have passed a certification exam.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Alaska
As of 2020, more than 1,760 Alaska medical assistants, who earn a mean average hourly income of $22.79 and a mean annual salary of $47,400. The job growth rate between 2020 and 2030 is expected to be around 15 percent. There are expected to be, on average, 240 job openings for medical assistants annually in Alaska.
Alaska is one the highest-paying states for certified medical assistants, and professionals at any level can expect to earn an annual salary of about $60,150. Salary is dependent on overall experience and education, as well as the demands and location of a given setting, including the cost of living. This salary level is consistent throughout the state, and demand is expected to grow.
Working as a Medical Assistant in Alaska
The demand for this role is expected to remain higher than the national average for other jobs, and demand and job opportunities are both comparatively high in the state of Alaska.
In almost all cases, medical assistants are directly supervised by medical professionals such as doctors and nurses. However, there are always possibilities to advance leadership and specialization skills to move into supervisory roles.
Alaska is a state with diverse and unique needs, and healthcare demands will continue to increase in every aspect. This means that opportunities for medical assistants will continue to be vast and varied. Those looking to pursue this dynamic and practical profession will need to be aware of ongoing training and recertification requirements as they pursue their career.
