How to Become a Medical Assistant in Delaware

Medical assistants are generally in high demand, and the national projections for job demand are higher than average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistant jobs are on the rise by about 16 percent, four times higher than the national job growth average. [Leer en español]

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The reason for the high demand throughout Delaware (and the rest of the U.S.) is the aging Baby Boomer population. More care will be needed in almost all areas, and this trend is expected to continue for the next 10 years or so. There is expected to be a diverse range of job opportunities for medical assistants in environments such as public hospitals, physicians’ offices, private care clinics, and specialty healthcare centers.

Having a balance of interpersonal skills and technical skills is essential for this job.

Professionals must be detail-oriented and analytical but also can support, educate and inform on all matters of personal health. They must be able to demonstrate a careful balance of compassion and professionalism at all times.

Responsibilities of Medical Assistants in Delaware

The Responsibilities of Medical Assistants are both administrative and clinical duties within a medical office or clinic. These professionals are primarily responsible for ensuring smooth day-to-day operations within their practice, which may include direct patient care, filing insurance claims, scheduling appointments and laboratory tests, coding records, greeting patients, and responding to questions by phone or in person.

In addition to the administrative duties of Medical Assistants, they may also perform several clinical duties, including taking vital signs, preparing patients for examination, and assisting with simple medical procedures. Additionally, Medical Assistants in Delaware may be responsible for collecting and processing laboratory specimens, administering medications as directed by the physician or nurse practitioner, disposing of contaminated supplies, and instructing patients on medication and special diets.

Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Delaware

The state of Delaware does not professionally regulate medical assistants; however, like other states, employers are more likely to prioritize hiring those with an accredited certification and hands-on experience. Some specialized medical assistant positions require extra training.

Post-secondary institutions in the state that offer medical assistant certifications typically offer programs in the format of one-year certificates or two-year diplomas. Coursework focuses on a range of topics, including ethics, anatomy, physiology, office administration, law, medical technology, and terminology.

Medical Assistant Programs in Delaware

You’ll likely need to be near Dover or Wilmington campus to complete in-person certifications to become a medical assistant in Delaware. Several medical assistant schools in Delaware offer an associate degree or diploma including:

Dawn Career Institute

Dawn Career Institute offers a medical assistant program that is both an administrative medical degree and a diploma with a medical focus. Class scheduling is flexible, and typically students take about eight months to complete it. This program currently costs approximately $15,000.

Delaware Technical and Community College

Delaware Technical Community college has three locations and offers two medical assistant programs, a diploma, and an associate degree program.

Certification (or Licensing) for Becoming a Delaware Medical Assistant

Once you have your preferred education or even some job experience—for instance, if you were in the armed forces—you can become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) via the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT). The Certified Medical Assistant test is multiple choice, and exam preparation is available on the American Association of Medical Assistants website.

Registered Medical Assistant

To become a Registered Medical Assistant, you need to pass an exam that tests both your clinical and administrative knowledge. It’s also important to note that all certifications require regular updates.

The initial Certified Medical Assistant credential is good for only five years, after which you have to re-test, and your RMA will need additional certification points every three years.

For more information about becoming a licensed medical assistant in Delaware, review the information on the State of Delaware Licensure and Discipline website.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is a medical assistant who has gone above and beyond the standard certification to show increased levels of knowledge and skills. To become certified, you must take and pass an exam administered by the National Health career Association (NHA).

The CCMA credential is valid for only three years, after which you will need to retake the exam to maintain your certification.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Delaware

In the state of Delaware, approximately 2,760 people are employed as medical assistants. As of 2022, they earn an average annual salary of $37,890, with the top 10% earning $45,250 or more. This is an increase from the previously recorded average hourly wage of $17.54, equivalent to an annual salary of $36,470. Medical assistants in Delaware typically earn more in urban centers, with competitive starting salaries ranging from $21,000 to $30,000 annually for those with a certificate or diploma in medical assisting.

The demand for medical assistants in Delaware is projected to grow significantly. Over the next ten years, the field is expected to expand by 23%, a rate that’s considerably faster than the average. This growth is driven by an aging population and greater access to healthcare services in the state. Annually, there are about 420 job openings in this field, with some estimates suggesting a growth rate even higher than the national average of 29%.

Salary Comparison – National vs. Delaware

United States Delaware
Annual Low (10%) $30,390 $29,900
Annual Median (50%) $38,270 $37,890
Annual High (90%) $51,710 $45,250

Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Delaware

Region Annual Low (10%) Annual Median (50%) Annual High (90%)
Dover, DE $27,040 $33,430 $40,520
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $35,010 $39,540 $47,960

Medical Assistant Trends in Delaware

The employment outlook for medical assistants in Delaware is showing significant growth. In 2020, there were 2,760 medical assistants employed in the state. This number is projected to increase to 3,420 by 2030, representing a substantial growth rate of 24% over the decade. This growth rate is considerably higher than the national average, indicating a strong and expanding job market for medical assistants in Delaware.

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 Delaware (2020-2030) United States (2022-2032)
Current Employment 2,760 employees (2020) 764,400 employees (2022)
Projected Employment 3,420 employees (2030) 870,200 employees (2032)
Projected Growth 24% 14% (Much faster than average)
Projected Annual Job Openings 420 114,600

Sources of data:

  1. Delaware Data: The employment figures and projections for Delaware 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 Delaware

Those who have a formal certification to work as a medical assistant in Delaware may pursue jobs and careers in a variety of settings, including general clinics, physician’s offices, insurance companies, schools, and eldercare facilities.

Though they may perform a variety of duties, those duties will almost always involve medical office procedures and working closely with patients under the direct supervision of doctors, nurses, and other medical specialists.

Popular Medical Assistant Schools in Delaware

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FAQs

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

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Delaware made an average of $36,470 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $28,990 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $47,780.

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