How to Become a Medical Assistant in Colorado
When a patient enters a clinic or hospital, a medical assistant may be the first person they encounter. Due to this face-to-face interaction, medical assistants should be attentive, calm, and thorough communicators. Administrative duties like record-keeping and answering phones may also be included in your list of responsibilities. Additionally, you may be expected to assist doctors or physicians as they diagnose and treat patients.[Leer en español]
Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Colorado
Colorado, like most other states in the U.S., does not require medical assistants to complete any specialized medical assistant training or earn national certifications before practicing. When you begin your job search, however, you may find that most employers prefer to hire applicants with some level of experience or credentials within the trade. For this reason, it may be your best option to complete a medical assisting training program or earn voluntary national certification.
Medical Assistant Certificate Programs in Colorado
Completing a medical assisting program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) is a wise choice, especially for those interested in earning certification. The following medical assistant programs are available in Colorado:
Colorado Mountain College
The college is located in the city of Edwards. Students can enroll in an undergraduate certificate in medical assisting, which takes 18 months to complete. This program is accredited by the CAAHEP. Students will sit for a certification exam upon program completion.
Red Rocks Community College
The college is located in the city of Arvada, Colorado. The school allows students to earn either a Certificate of Completion in Medical Assisting, which can be completed in less than three semesters or an Associate of Applied Sciences degree, which can be completed in about two years. This program is also accredited by the CAAHEP.
Pima Medical Institute
The college is located in the city of Aurora. The school allows students to earn a Certificate of Completion in Medical Assisting, which can be earned in as little as nine months. Clinical externships are a requirement for graduation, and this program is accredited by the ABHES.
Certified Medical Assistant in Colorado
As a medical assistant, you have the option of earning four types of certification. The two most common certifications include the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). Additionally, you may choose to earn the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credentials. All of these exams are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
While each of these certifications allows those who have recently graduated from an ABHES- or CAAHEP-accredited training program to sit for exams, you may also be eligible to earn this certification if you already have professional experience as a medical assistant.
Registered medical assistant certification is administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). The AMT offers two routes to certification:
Qualification Based on Graduation from an Approved Medical Assisting Program – You may sit for the RMA exam if you have graduated from a medical assistant program accredited by either the CAAHEP or ABHES.
Certified Medical Assistant Certification
This is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The AAMA offers two routes to certification:
Qualification Based on Graduation from an Approved Medical Assisting Program – You may sit for the CMA exam if you have graduated from a medical assistant program accredited by either the CAAHEP or ABHES.
Qualification Based on Professional Experience – You may be eligible to sit for the CMA exam if you have worked a minimum of 5,000 hours in the past five years as a medical assistant.
Registered Medical Assistant Certification
This is administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). The AMT offers two routes to certification:
Qualification Based on Graduation from an Approved Medical Assisting Program – You may sit for the RMA exam if you have graduated from a medical assistant program accredited by either the CAAHEP or ABHES.
Qualification Based on Professional Experience – You may be eligible to sit for the RMA exam if you have worked a minimum of 3,000 hours in the past three years as a medical assistant.
National Certified Medical Assistant Certification
This is administered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). The NCCT offers two routes to certification:
Qualification Based on Graduation from an Approved Medical Assisting Program – You may sit for the NCMA exam if you have graduated from a medical assistant program accredited by either the CAAHEP or ABHES.
Qualification Based on Professional Experience – You may be eligible to sit for the NCMA exam if you have worked a minimum of 5,000 hours in the past five years as a medical assistant.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certification
This is administered by the National Health career Association (NHA). The NHA offers two routes to certification:
Qualification Based on Graduation from an Approved Medical Assisting Program – You may sit for the CCMA exam if you have graduated from a medical assistant program accredited by either the CAAHEP or ABHES.
Qualification Based on Professional Experience – You may be eligible to sit for the CCMA exam if you have worked a minimum of 5,000 hours in the past five years as a medical assistant.
No matter which certification you choose, it is important to understand all of the requirements and eligibility guidelines before pursuing any of them. Additionally, you should take the time to research each exam in order to ensure that it best suits your skillset and career goals.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in Colorado
As of 2022, medical assistants in Colorado earn an average annual salary of $43,240, with the top 10% earning $53,090 or more. This is a significant increase from the 2021 average hourly wage of $18.29, equivalent to $38,040 per year. The highest-paid medical assistants in Colorado previously earned more than $48,260 annually.
The number of medical assistants in Colorado was 12,090 in 2020, and it is projected to grow to 16,470 by 2030. This represents a substantial 36 percent expansion in the job market over these 10 years, indicating a robust demand for medical assistants in the state.
Salary Comparison – National vs. Colorado
| United States | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Low (10%) | $30,390 | $36,190 |
| Annual Median (50%) | $38,270 | $43,240 |
| Annual High (90%) | $51,710 | $53,090 |
Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Colorado
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $38,330 | $45,530 | $55,880 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $35,770 | $40,470 | $51,520 |
Medical Assistant Trends in Colorado
The employment outlook for medical assistants in Colorado is experiencing significant growth. In 2020, there were 12,090 medical assistants employed in the state. This number is projected to increase to 16,470 by 2030, representing a substantial growth rate of 36% over the decade. This growth rate is notably higher than the national average, indicating a strong and expanding job market for medical assistants in Colorado.
Nationally, the 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 | Colorado (2020-2030) | United States (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Employment | 12,090 employees (2020) | 764,400 employees (2022) |
| Projected Employment | 16,470 employees (2030) | 870,200 employees (2032) |
| Projected Growth | 36% | 14% (Much faster than average) |
| Projected Annual Job Openings | 1,860 | 114,600 |
Sources of data:
- Colorado Data: The employment figures and projections for Colorado 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.
- 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 Colorado
Medical assistants working in Colorado can expect to earn the highest compensation in cities like Niwot, Boulder, and Eldorado Springs.
Employment will be available at hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and other places where medical duties are performed. Your main responsibilities may include keeping track of patients’ medical histories, checking their vital signs, keeping medical records administrative tasks, or scheduling their visits to the medical facility and clinical duties. If this sounds exciting to you, consider getting started today.
Popular Medical Assistant Schools in Colorado
FAQs
How much do medical assistants earn in the state of Colorado?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Colorado made an average of $38,040 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $30,310 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $48,260.
