Your Career in Montana Starts Here

There is no better time than the present to start a career in medical assisting in the great state of Montana. There are approximately 810 individuals employed as Medical Assistants in Montana currently. Though most work in clinical settings such as hospitals, Medical Assistants can work in a variety of settings and may carry out a diverse range of clinical and administrative tasks. [Leer en español]

Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Montana expects to see a 23 percent increase in job openings by the year 2022. That means there are currently 40 new job openings each year.

Salary

It is important to note that the salaries these dynamic medical workers earn are as variable as the jobs themselves. Pay differentials are based on location, context, experience level, proficiency, and other factors. Some healthcare personnel may have started in the career as novices, working as nursing aids or caregivers, eventually having advanced within the field.

Wages reported in 2012 were between $11.57 and $18.58 hourly, depending on the employer, the region, skills and experience of the employee.

Salaries by Metropolitan Area in Montana

Licensing and Certification

There is no legislature in Montana that calls for special licensing of any kind, and Medical Assistants can carry out any duty that is delegated by a doctor or nurse. That being said, there are general rules that apply across the board.

As an example, they can never diagnose a patient, nor can they prescribe a treatment or medication regimen. They can assist with evaluation, assist with diagnostic processes (to an extent) and assist with treatments.

Certification for this work does exist and recognized by a governing authority. Assistants with certification are not awarded any special privileges with regard to their limitations or what clinical tasks they may fulfill. Certified and non-certified staff are bound by the same permissions and limitations. The benefits of certification are many, though, because more employers actually require their assistants to be certified than in past years. Being certified shows dedication, perseverance, a genuine interest in the work, endurance, and most of all, skills and experience.

Pursuing Certification

The first thing to do is to visit the website of the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) to learn what the recognized awards are, and how to go about acquiring them. The organizations recognized to regulate and monitor certification of Medical Assistants are national, and the certification will be indispensable when you land your first job.

Below is an exhaustive list of schools and relevant programs that provide training in medical assisting, in areas of Montana. Compare and contrast programs to make an informed choice that suits you and your specific goals.

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