Vermont – Education Options for Tomorrow’s Medical Assistants
Though the state of Vermont has a modest population, it is holding its own in job market growth.
The healthcare industry is growing, with increasing service to elderly people. Additionally, there are those availing themselves of public health insurance, since the advent of socialized care through the Affordable Care Act. [Leer en español]
Because of these social changes, facilities in every state are adding to their medical teams, and Vermont is no exception. With a 16 percent growth rate in employment in Medical Assisting alone, Vermont is a great place to pursue a career in this flourishing industry.
Salary
There are currently over 700 Medical Assistants active in Vermont today, and additional positions are opening every year. These skilled healthcare pros carry out an array of functions in various settings. Most commonly, they are found in small private clinics, such as general practices, podiatry, and even Optometry. The wages Medical Assistants are paid is based on the context of their work, the responsibilities they carry, their level of experience and education.
The average hourly wage is reported as $16.21, which is higher than the average hourly wages of all but three other states. Variations can be largely attributed to region in most cases, where larger, heavily populated cities may pay higher, while smaller, less affluent areas tend to pay less.
The highest wage for Vermont is reported as $21.29 hourly. Assistants can earn even higher wages than this, however, under certain conditions.
Salaries by Metropolitan Area in Vermont
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 290 | $14.66 | $30,490 |
Certification Requirements
Vermont does not regulate the medical assisting profession in any way. This aspect is attractive to prospective job seekers – the jobs pay relatively well, and there are no prerequisites. Nonetheless, those who want to advance and boost their earnings will pursue certification. In every state, physicians are increasingly attentive to the status of their candidates, and are more likely to hire certified candidates over non-certified.
For more information on certification, visit AAMA’s website (American Association of Medical Assistants), and learn the specific criteria for CMA certification. You may also wish to check out AMT – Association of Medical Technologists, to learn about the requirements for the RMA certification (Registered Medical Assistant) which is a national award.
Popular Schools
College and University Listings
Burlington-South Burlington, VT Area
Community College of Vermont
660 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602Medical Assisting – Associate Program
Community College of Vermont’s Associate-level Medical Assistant program is based at their campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 5,983 students are on 2-year programs. Community College of Vermont has institutional accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.* The cost of tuition for students living in the state is about $6,222 and for students from other states around $12,294 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,000, depending on the program.
* Tuition fees and accredition status are correct at the time of writing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with college before applying.
Other Options
Residents of Vermont may also wish to review their options in New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts.
Healthcare News for Vermont
Opioid tax proposal spurs concern over cost consequences
Lawmakers, administration officials and trade groups are questioning the feasibility of a proposed state tax on prescription opioids.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Opioid tax proposal spurs concern over cost consequences.
House addresses state need for more mental health facilities
Lawmakers endorsed a multifaceted proposal to increase the state's treatment capacity including a new psychiatric hospital and a 16-bed secure residential facility.
Read the story on VTDigger here: House addresses state need for more mental health facilities.