How to Become a Medical Assistant in Iowa

For those in Iowa who wish to enter a rewarding healthcare career, medical assisting is a promising option.Medical assistants perform both secretarial and health-related duties in various healthcare settings in order to offer aid to physicians. Tasks may include specimen collection for labs, administering injections and record-keeping. Medical assistants may specialize in certain clinical settings, such as ophthalmology or dermatology, by gaining experience assisting in those specific healthcare fields.[Leer en español]

Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Iowa

The Iowa Society of Medical Assistants (ISMA), an affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), does not require medical assistants to complete certification in order to secure work. However, the organization strongly recommends training, as the field can be quite competitive in Iowa.

Both the AAMA and ISMA do not have specific rules or descriptions for what medical assistants in Iowa should do. Instead, physicians are allowed the discretion to determine their medical assistants’ duties, so long as they do not cross over into professionally licensed practices such as diagnosis and prescription writing.

Medical Assistant Training and Educational Programs in Iowa

Iowans who wish to become certified in medical assisting can complete an accredited certification program within one to two years. Classes may range from lab procedure courses to health law and ethics. Listed below are a couple of program options in Iowa.

• Iowa Lakes Community College. With multiple locations across the Iowa Great Lakes Region, this public school offers a 40-week diploma program, which allows successful graduates to take the CMA exam. The school boasts a 94.74 percent job placement rate for its graduates.
• Iowa Central Community College. Located in Fort Dodge, this career school offers a one-year diploma or two-year medical assistant associate degree. Students may live in dormitories or residences off campus. Medical assistants who study at this school receive one of the top training programs in the state of Iowa.

Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Iowa

The most commonly recognized and sought-after certificate type is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). This program requires students to complete coursework accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). More certifications are available and can further improve a medical assistant’s resumé.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in Iowa

Medical assistants in Iowa enjoy salaries that are competitive with, and slightly above, the national average. According to the latest 2022 data, the average annual salary for medical assistants in Iowa is $39,360, with entry-level positions starting at $31,820 and the top 10% earning $48,360 or more. This is an increase from the previously reported figures, reflecting a positive trend in compensation for medical assistants in the state.

Nationally, the average annual salary for medical assistants is slightly lower, at $38,270, with the lowest 10% earning $30,390 and the highest 10% making $51,710 or more. The employment outlook for medical assistants in Iowa is also promising, with a projected growth rate that suggests a strong demand for this profession in the coming years.

Salary Comparison – National vs.Iowa

Medical Assistant Trends in Iowa

In 2020, Iowa employed 5,210 medical assistants. This number is projected to increase to 6,640 by 2030, representing a 27% growth rate over the decade. This growth rate is significantly higher than the national average growth rate for medical assistants, which is projected at 14% from 2022 to 2032. Annually, Iowa is expected to have 830 job openings for medical assistants from 2020 to 2030, accounting for new positions due to growth and replacements for vacated positions. This data underscores the strong demand and bright outlook for medical assistants in Iowa, reflecting broader trends in healthcare employment across the state.

Employment Trends for Medical Assistants in Iowa

Sources of data:

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

Des Moines is by far the best location for medical assistants in Iowa to find higher income rates and more job openings. Its mean income for medical assistants in 2020 was $38,490 annually, which is well above the national medical assistant mean income of $37,190. Iowa City and Ames also make good options as the second and third highest paying cities for medical assistants in Iowa. Residents of Iowa can search for medical assisting jobs on the ISMA website job directory.

For those who are interested in a general healthcare career but are unsure of the path they would like to take, medical assisting may be an ideal first step. Because of the diverse types of medical assisting jobs available in many settings, there are numerous options to gain valuable healthcare experience in Iowa.

Popular Schools

FAQs

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

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Iowa made an average of $37,660 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $29,340 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $48,160.

College Listings