Becoming a Medical Assistant in Utah
Medical assisting is an especially promising and fulfilling career field in the state of Utah. Medical assistants are often the first members of the medical staff whom patients meet in a physician’s office or outpatient clinic.
These vital workers ensure smooth operations in healthcare settings by performing a wide range of administrative and clinical tasks to support physician operations.
From checking in patients to drawing blood, medical assistants are cross-trained to offer a wide skillset to health practices. Medical assistants may work directly with patients by administering medications and removing sutures, or they may work behind the scenes doing medical billing and analyzing basic lab samples.[Leer en español]
Clinical Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are responsible for a variety of important clinical tasks. These may include:
- Taking and recording patients’ vital signs
- Drawing blood and performing basic lab tests
- Administering medications and injections
- Assisting with minor surgical procedures
- Removing sutures and changing dressings
- Collecting patient medical histories
- Instructing patients on how to take care of themselves after surgery or discharge
Administrative Responsibilities of Medical Assistants
Medical assistants also perform several administrative tasks in healthcare settings. These may include:
- Answering phones and routing calls
- Scheduling appointments
- Greeting patients and checking them in
- Filing insurance forms and handling billing
- Maintaining medical records
- Ordering supplies and stocking examination rooms
While the administrative tasks of medical assistants are important, their clinical responsibilities are usually given greater emphasis. Many of the duties of a medical assistant are performed under the direct supervision of a licensed physician.
Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Utah
With little or no training required, almost any high school or GED graduate is eligible to become a medical assistant in Utah. However, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) recommends that healthcare providers hire medical assistants who have completed an accredited training program and received nationally approved certification.
Medical assistant applicants should be able to pass a criminal background check, understand and agree to confidentiality policies, and understand health workplace safety procedures.
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Credential in Utah
The AAMA offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential to medical assistants who graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and pass a national exam.
Although certification is not required by law, it can give job applicants a significant advantage when applying for work as a medical assistant.
Furthermore, most employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants. The CMA credential is valid for 60 months, after which credential holders must either retake the certification exam or earn continuing education credits to maintain their credentials.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Credential in Utah
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential to those who wish to demonstrate their clinical skills and knowledge.
To earn the CCMA credential, applicants must complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass a national certification exam. The CCMA credential is valid for 36 months and can be renewed through continuing education credits or by retaking the certification exam.
Licensed Medical Assistant (LMA) Credential in Utah
Although there is no state licensing requirement for medical assistants in Utah, the AAMA offers the Licensed Medical Assistant (LMA) credential to those who wish to practice under licensure.
To be eligible for the LMA credential, applicants must first earn the CMA credential and then pass a state-specific jurisprudence exam. The LMA credential is valid for 60 months, after which credential holders must either retake the certification exam or earn continuing education credits to maintain their credentials.
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Credential in Utah
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) offers the RMA credential to those who wish to practice under certification.
To be eligible for the RMA credential, applicants must first graduate from an accredited medical assistant program and then pass a national exam. The RMA credential is valid for 60 months, after which credential holders must either retake the certification exam or earn continuing education credits to maintain their credentials.
Applying for Medical Assistant Certification in Utah
The first step in becoming a certified medical assistant is to graduate from an accredited medical assistant program. These programs are typically offered at the certificate or diploma level and take about one year to complete.
Once you have completed an accredited medical assistant program, you are eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by the AAMA.
To register for the exam, create an account on the AAMA website and then log in to complete the application.
Be sure to have your transcripts and proof of graduation ready to upload. The application fee is $125 for AAMA members and $200 for non-members.
The national certification exam is a computer-based test consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. The test covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, infection control, medical law and ethics, and patient care.
You will have three hours to complete the exam, and you must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass.
Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CMA credential in the mail.
If you wish to apply for the LMA credential, you must first pass a state-specific jurisprudence exam.
The AMT also offers the RMA credential, which does not require passing a state-specific jurisprudence exam.
Applying for the RMA credential is similar to applying for the CMA credential.
First, create an account on the AMT website and then log in to complete the application.
Be sure to have your transcripts and proof of graduation ready to upload. The application fee is $155 for AMT members and $180 for non-members.
The national certification exam is a computer-based test consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. The test covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, infection control, medical law and ethics, and patient care.
You will have three hours to complete the exam, and you must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass.
Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your RMA credential in the mail.
Medical Assisting Training and Educational Programs in Utah
Utah medical assistants who choose to become certified should first enroll in a certificate or associate degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), such as the programs below.
Bridgerland Technical College
Located in Logan, this technical school offers a Medical Assisting Certificate that can be completed in 10 months. Students spend about 30 hours per week in classes and can take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam upon completion of the program. The Medical Assisting Review Board reported an 86 percent job placement rate and 99 percent employer satisfaction rate for graduates of this school in 2017.
Ogden-Weber Technical College
After students complete the coursework portion of this school’s 10-month medical assistant certificate program, they are required to perform a 240-hour unpaid externship in a physician’s office. This experience offers skills that will give graduates a competitive edge in the job market. The Ogden-based school’s pass rate for the CMA exam is reported to be 89.62 percent.
All accredited programs require the completion of a medical assistant practicum, which is an unpaid, supervised, on-site work experience in an ambulatory setting.
Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Utah
The Utah State Society of Medical Assistants (USSMA) is an affiliate of the AAMA and oversees medical assistant certification in the state of Utah.
The top medical assistant credentials recommended by the AAMA are the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)because they are the most widely respected and transferrable credentials. Registration for the CMA exam costs $125 for those who have graduated from a CCAHEP-accredited program within the previous 30 days.
For all others, registration is $250. The AAMA states that recertification must be completed every 60 weeks for medical assistants to keep their certification.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in Utah
Utah shows great promise for the future of medical assistants. After finding that 8,250 Utah medical assistants were employed in 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that number to grow by as much as 34 percent by 2030.
Furthermore, Utah offers around 1,400 annual job openings for medical assistants. Utah medical assistant pay is strong, with a mean income reported at $17.85 per hour and $37,120 annually in 2021.
Experience earns medical assistants even more. According to the AAMA’s 2018 study, medical assistants in the mountain region of the United States who had over 16 years of experience earned $20.32 per hour on average.
Working as a Medical Assistant in Utah
It’s much easier to find jobs in medical assisting in metropolitan areas of Utah. In 2017, the state’s largest number of medical assistants were employed in Salt Lake City and Ogden-Clearfield. However, nonmetropolitan areas had higher hourly pay rates, averaging more than $16 per hour. With so many great opportunities, one may wonder if the field will become oversaturated.
This is doubtful as medical assisting is predicted to grow by 16 percent across the country by 2030. It’s never been a better time to enter this exciting healthcare career, especially in the state of Utah.
The alternative career you might consider is becoming a licensed practical nurse or dental assistant.
Popular Medical Assistant Schools in Utah
FAQs
How much do medical assistants earn in the state of Utah?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Utah made an average of $37,120 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $28,960 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $44,850.
