How to Become a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
Medical assistants play a valuable role in allied health teams because of their cross-training across the healthcare office. Versatility is key to this role, as medical assistants may assist with clinical duties such as patient triage and instructing patients about medications, or administrative duties like medical billing and arranging hospital admissions.
The difference between medical assistants and physicians’ assistants is that medical assistants work under the direct supervision of doctors, while physicians’ assistants examine, diagnose and treat patients under a contract with a doctor, who need not directly supervise.[Leer en español]
According to the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), about 91 percent of medical assistants work full-time, while nine percent work on a part-time basis. Furthermore, 95 percent of medical assistants worked in physicians’ office settings in 2018.
Clinical Duties of Medical Assistants
The duties of medical assistants may vary depending on the employer, but in general, medical assistants are responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and handling insurance forms.
They also take and record patient medical histories and vital signs. Once the physician has seen the patient, the medical assistant may schedule follow-up visits or tests, and provide instructions to the patient on how to prepare for them.
Medical assistants may also be responsible for collecting and preparing lab specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, and scheduling diagnostic procedures. They may administer medications as directed by the physician, and give injections. In some states, medical assistants may assist with minor office surgery, such as removing sutures or changing dressings.
Administrative Duties of Medical Assistants
In addition to their clinical duties, medical assistants may also handle front-office responsibilities in a healthcare setting. This can include handling correspondence, answering phones, and managing the appointment book. They may also be responsible for billing and coding insurance forms and collecting payments from patients. In some cases, medical assistants may also be responsible for arranging hospital admissions and scheduling surgeries.
Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
Medical assistants should be able to work long hours on their feet, have communication skills, and understand the risk of disease due to working in healthcare settings. While no certification for medical assistants is required by the state, hiring physicians are held responsible for the competence of the medical assistants to whom they delegate tasks. For this reason, doctors are more likely to hire those with a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential.
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
The credential is offered by the AAMA. To be eligible for certification, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and pass a national exam.
The CMA credential is recognized in Pennsylvania and 26 other states.
To become certified, medical assistants must:
– Complete an accredited medical assistant program
– Pass the CMA (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Exam
Eligibility for the CMA (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Exam requires successful completion of an accredited medical assisting program resulting in a diploma, certificate, or degree. Candidates who have graduated from non-accredited programs, or who have completed a medical assisting program but did not graduate, are not eligible to take the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam.
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
The RMA credential is offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). To be eligible, candidates must have graduated from a medical assistant program that has been accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Candidates must also pass a national exam.
The RMA credential is recognized in Pennsylvania and 35 other states.
To become certified, medical assistants must:
– Complete an accredited medical assistant program
– Pass the RMA Certification Exam
Eligibility for the RMA Certification Exam requires successful completion of an accredited medical assistant program resulting in a diploma, certificate, or degree. Candidates who have graduated from non-accredited programs, or who have completed a medical assistant program but did not graduate, are not eligible to take the RMA Certification Exam.
Licensed Medical Assistant (LMA)
The LMA credential is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible, candidates must have graduated from an accredited medical assistant program and pass a national exam. In addition, candidates must also complete a state-approved training program and pass a state exam.
The LMA credential is recognized in Pennsylvania and 10 other states.
To become licensed, medical assistants must:
– Complete an accredited medical assistant program
– Pass the LMA Certification Exam
– Complete a state-approved training program
– Pass the state exam
Eligibility for the LMA Certification Exam requires successful completion of an accredited medical assistant program resulting in a diploma, certificate, or degree. Candidates who have graduated from non-accredited programs, or who have completed a medical assistant program but did not graduate, are not eligible to take the LMA Certification Exam.
Medical Assisting Training and Educational Programs in Pennsylvania
Those who complete accredited training must show the ability to communicate effectively. Important qualities that are taught in accredited Certified Medical Assistant programs include listening skills, empathy in communication, and respect for diversity.
The Pennsylvania schools below offer medical assistant training programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Bidwell Training Center
Located in Pittsburgh, this career school offers a nine-month medical assistant diploma program and boasts an 80 percent retention rate. Upon receipt of the Medical Assisting Diploma and Certified Medical Assistant certification, 78 percent of graduates can find jobs.
YTI Career Institute
YTI Career Institute graduates of the 21-week program receive an Associate in Specialized Technology degree. A unique aspect of this school’s program is the inclusion of a 12-week externship within medical facilities, to give students hands-on training. Pennsylvania students can train to be medical assistants on the Lancaster and York campuses.
Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Society of Medical Assistants oversees the profession of medical assisting within Pennsylvania. While there are many certifications that medical assistants can acquire, the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) is the only medical assistant certification program that requires applicants to demonstrate CPR ability, graduate from an accredited program and continue the practice for recertification eligibility.
To gain even more recognition in the field, medical assistants may pursue further certification on top of their CMA. Other types of certification include the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the fifth most populated state in the U.S., so it makes sense that it’s a hotspot for medical assistant jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that there were about 27,980 medical assistant jobs in the state in 2020, and that number is projected to grow by 19 percent by 2030.
The reported mean income for Pennsylvania medical assistants in 2020 was $17.63 per hour, which is more than double Pennsylvania’s minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Working as a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
Highly populated cities have more patients requiring care and, thus, more healthcare settings requiring medical assistants. By far, the most employed medical assistants in Pennsylvania are in Philadelphia, which employed 14,240 medical assistants in 2017. Altoona and Chambersburg-Waynesboro had the highest percentage of employed medical assistants per 1,000 job openings in that same year. Medical assistants located in Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester Counties reported the highest earnings among other areas in the state.
Popular Medical Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
FAQs
How much do medical assistants earn in the state of Pennsylvania?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Pennsylvania made an average of $36,680 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $29,650 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $46,930.
