How to Become a Medical Assistant in Arizona

Working as a medical assistant offers people the opportunity to work in hospitals and other medical environments without spending years in medical school. Medical assistants record patients’ histories, measure vital signs, assist with exams, administer medicine, schedule appointments, and prepare blood samples. They may choose to specialize in a particular area of medicine or remain generalists.[Leer en español]

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Requirements for Working as a Medical Assistant in Arizona

Medical assistants do not need any specific certification or education to work in Arizona. Instead, employers set their qualifications. Certain achievements and certifications can help medical assistants stand out and give them a higher chance of receiving a job.

Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant

Prospective medical assistants can choose to be certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), which requires applicants to pass one of five exams approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) to receive their certifications. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exams are the most popular and most widely recognized of these credentials.

To qualify for the exam and have the best chance of passing, candidates should enroll in a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) approved training program. In some instances, equivalent medical training is also sufficient.

Certified Medical Assistant Certification in Arizona

The CMA exam is administered seven times per year in Arizona and other states throughout the United States. Candidates can take the exam at Prometric Testing Centers, located in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, and Yuma.

After completing the necessary coursework and passing the CMA exam, medical assistants become certified for five years and must then renew their certification by completing continuing education credits. The AAMA also offers several other certifications for medical assistants, including the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA).

In addition to certification, many employers prefer medical assistants who have current CPR certification. They may also be required to attend courses in medical terminology, business communication, and computer technology.

Medical assistants must also develop strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. They should be able to work independently but still take direction from physicians when needed.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certification in Arizona

The CCMA exam is administered 10 times per year in Arizona and other states throughout the United States. Candidates can take the exam at Prometric Testing Centers, located in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, and Yuma.

To qualify for the exam and have the best chance of passing, candidates must complete either a CAAHEP or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program. Equivalent training and education may also suffice. After completing the necessary coursework, medical assistants become certified for three years and must then renew their certification by completing continuing education credits.

Medical assistants can also choose to receive additional certifications, such as Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) and Certified Electronic Health Records (CEHR). These certifications demonstrate a commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest technology and procedures in the medical industry.

In addition to certification, many employers prefer medical assistants who have current CPR certification. They may also be required to attend courses in medical terminology, business communication, and computer technology.

Medical assistants must also develop strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. They should be able to work independently but still take direction from physicians when needed. Ultimately, certifications can give medical assistants the edge they need in a competitive job market, demonstrating that they are knowledgeable and well-trained professionals. With the right credentials, medical assistants have the potential to become successful and respected members of the healthcare team.

Registered Medical Assistant Certification in Arizona

The RMA exam is administered seven times per year in Arizona and other states throughout the United States. Candidates can take the exam at Prometric Testing Centers, located in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, and Yuma.

To qualify for the exam and have the best chance of passing, candidates should complete a program that is accredited by either the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). After completing their coursework and passing the RMA exam, medical assistants become certified for five years and must then renew their certification by completing continuing education credits.

In addition to certification, many employers prefer medical assistants who have current CPR certification. They may also be required to attend courses in medical terminology, business communication, and computer technology.

Medical assistants must also develop strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. They should be able to work independently but still take direction from physicians when needed. Ultimately, certifications can give medical assistants the edge they need in a competitive job market, demonstrating that they are knowledgeable and well-trained professionals. With the right credentials, medical assistants have the potential to become successful and respected members of the healthcare team.

Medical Assisting Programs in Arizona

Arizona does not require that medical assistants have CMA credentials, but those who would like to sit for the exam should consider attending a training course beforehand. Many of these courses require in-person attendance, which allows for hands-on training. Here are two of the medical assistant programs in Arizona for medical assistant training:

Arizona College

Arizona College has campuses in Mesa and Glendale. The school focuses exclusively on healthcare-related programs. Its medical assistant program offers a concentration in phlebotomy and career support services to graduates.

Pima Medical Institute

Pima offers certificate and associate’s degree programs for medical assistants. The program lasts for nine months, and Pima has several locations in Arizona.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

The medical assistant profession continues to offer stable employment opportunities, with significant growth expected both nationally and in Arizona. According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2022, the average annual salary for medical assistants in the United States is $38,270. In Arizona, medical assistants earn slightly more, with an average annual salary of $38,930.

Salary Comparison – National vs. Arizona

United States Arizona
Annual Low (10%) $30,390 $33,080
Annual Median (50%) $38,270 $38,930
Annual High (90%) $51,710 $46,450

Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Arizona

Region Annual Low (10%) Annual Median (50%) Annual High (90%)
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ $35,440 $40,080 $47,570
Tucson, AZ $31,180 $36,850 $43,880

Medical Assistant Trends in Arizona

The employment outlook for medical assistants in Arizona is exceptionally positive. In 2020, there were 20,170 medical assistants employed in the state. This number is projected to surge to 30,520 by 2030, representing a significant growth of 51%. This rate of growth is substantially higher than the national average, indicating a robust and expanding job market for medical assistants in Arizona.

In comparison, the national employment figures for medical assistants were 764,400 in 2022, with a projected increase to 870,200 by 2032. This represents a 14% growth at the national level, which is characterized as “much faster than average.” The projected annual job openings nationally, from 2022 to 2032, are estimated to be 114,600.

Employment Trends

Category Arizona (2020-2030) United States (2022-2032)
Current Employment 20,170 employees (2020) 764,400 employees (2022)
Projected Employment 30,520 employees (2030) 870,200 employees (2032)
Projected Growth 51% 14% (Much faster than average)
Projected Annual Job Openings 3,970 114,600

Sources of data:

  1. Arizona Data: The employment figures and projections for Arizona are sourced from Projections Central, specifically their 2020-2030 long-term projections. Projections Central specializes in state-level employment projections, providing detailed insights into various occupations.
  2. United States Data: The national employment statistics and projections are obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), particularly their 2022-2032 employment projections.

Working as a Medical Assistant in Arizona

Medical assistants can work in a variety of settings, including physicians’ offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers. Most work full-time and may be required to work on some weekends, evenings, and holidays, depending on the type of facility in which they’re employed. Medical assistants can most readily find work in big cities, and these jobs typically pay more to account for the high cost of living in these areas.

The medical assistant path is perfect for those who are interested in medicine and enjoy working with new people each day. Being able to communicate well, pay attention to detail and think analytically will help medical assistants complete their daily tasks.

Working as a medical assistant allows people to enter the medical field with a smaller amount of schooling than other careers in medicine, making it possible to begin an exciting and interesting career in a short period.

Other careers you may wish to consider are dental assisting (dentalassistantedu.org/az/), dental hygiene (dentalassistantedu.org/dh/az/) and licensed practical nursing (lpnadvance.com/az/).

Popular Medical Assistant Schools in Arizona

Search Medical Assistant Programs

Get information on Medical Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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FAQs

How much do medical assistants earn in the state of Arizona?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Arizona made an average of $37,390 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $29,640 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $47,250.

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