A Guide to Medical Assisting Education in Utah

The state of Utah is an excellent place to start a career in Medical Assisting, as one of an estimated 8,000 working as Medical Assistants in the state today. [Leer en español]

What they do

Medical Assisting is a veritable occupation, since these skilled workers execute many different functions in a multitude of roles and career capacities. Most of these healthcare pros do their work in small private clinics or in hospital settings. The most common duties include checking in patients, preparing data used for diagnostic evaluation, applying treatments, giving instructions to patients, communicating with physicians, and completing specialized paperwork. They are the staff responsible for preparing examination rooms, equipment, and supplies, and they perform a variety of administrative tasks as well.

The outlook for those in this career field is extremely positive, with some 410 new positions opening each year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a forty percent growth rate in this occupation in the state of Utah in this reporting period alone. Not only is that higher than the national average, it is higher than all but two other states.

Salary

The earnings of Medical Assistants are as variable as the contexts in which they may work. Some factors that will influence earning potential are region, type of facility, specialization (if applicable), credentials, and experience. The current average hourly wage of assistants anywhere in Utah is $14.00 per hour, and average salaries range between $11.00 and $18.00 per hour.

Salaries by Metropolitan Area in Utah

Requirements

The state of Utah has not passed any legislation to date that mandates any special training or education requirements for this occupation. Medical Assistants do not have to be certified in order to carry out all of the functions the job entails. They are supervised by licensed medical staff and many receive only on-the-job-training. That said, certification does exist and is preferred by employers, many of whom now require certification as a prerequisite for hire.

Attaining Certification

Certainly, those seriously pursuing this field will want to plan to attain certification to increase their marketability and income. The two major certifications recognized by governing agencies are the RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) and the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant). Most often, only those that have graduated from an accredited program are eligible to apply for certification, which is a separate process. The bodies responsible for conferring awards are the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) and the AMT (Association of Medical Technologists). The AMT provides the RMA, which is a national certification. Visit the AAMA or AMT websites to learn the specific requirements.

Popular Schools

College Listings