Becoming a Medical Assistant in Washington
After learning how to take patient histories, maintain electronic records, schedule appointments, tests and procedures, measure vital signs, administer injections and draw blood, you’ll be qualified to work as a medical assistant in Washington State. Whether you decide to work in a nursing home, hospital or clinical setting, the combination of analytical and people skills required to perform such a front-line role in the healthcare system makes for a challenging and fulfilling career.[Leer en español]
Requirements for Working as a Medical Assistant in Washington
Washington State medical assistants need to be certified or registered by the Washington Department of Health, Medical Assisting Credentialing. You will need to complete an apprenticeship or an accredited training program, then pass an exam and apply for certification.
You can take any one of the following: the Certified Medical Assistant Exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA); the Registered Medical Assistant Exam through American Medical Technologists (AMT); the Clinical Medical Assistant Exam through the National Health Career Association (NHA); the National Certified Medical Assistant Exam through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT); or the Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Examination through the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA).
Becoming a Medical Assistant
To work as a medical assistant in Washington, you must complete a medical assistant program at an institution accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Alternatively, you could complete a medical assistant program offered by a school accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The program would have to include a minimum of 720 hours of training in medical assisting skills and an externship of no less than 160 hours. There are no ongoing continuing education requirements for CMAs in Washington.
Certified Medical Assistants in Washington
The AAMA offers the CMA (AAMA) credential, which is currently the most popular credential in medical assisting. To earn the credential, you must:
- Complete an accredited medical assistant program
- Pass the Certified Medical Assistant Examination
- Be a current AAMA member
The AAMA credential is valid for 60 months. To maintain the credential, you must either recertify by exam or earn 60 continuing education units (CEUs) every five years.
If you decide to take the exam to recertify, you can either take the traditional written exam or the computer-based exam. The computer-based exam is offered year-round at more than 200 testing sites, while the written exam is offered only twice a year.
The CMA (AAMA) credential is recognized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In Washington, the credential allows you to perform all duties of a medical assistant, including:
Taking patient histories and performing preliminary physical examinations
- Assisting with patient examinations and treatments
- Collecting and processing lab specimens
- Performing basic laboratory tests
- Preparing patients for x-rays
- Carrying out diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider
- Administering medications as directed by a licensed healthcare provider
- Maintaining medical and lab equipment
- Performing basic office duties such as scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records
The CMA (AAMA) credential is the only medical assistant credential that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Registered Medical Assistants in Washington
The AMT offers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential, which is also recognized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. To earn the credential, you must:
- Complete an accredited medical assistant program
- Pass the AMT Registered Medical Assistant Certification Exam
- Be a current AMT member
The RMA credential is valid for 60 months. To maintain the credential, you must either recertify by exam or earn 60 continuing education units (CEUs) every five years.
The RMA credential is also recognized by the Washington State Department of Health, which allows RMAs to perform all duties of a medical assistant, including:
- Taking patient histories and performing preliminary physical examinations
- Assisting with patient examinations and treatments
- Collecting and processing lab specimens
- Performing basic laboratory tests
- Preparing patients for x-rays
- Carrying out diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider
- Administering medications as directed by a licensed healthcare provider
- Maintaining medical and lab equipment
- Performing basic office duties such as scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records
National Certified Medical Assistant in Washington
The NHA offers the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credential, which is also recognized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. To earn the credential, you must:
Complete an accredited medical assistant program
Pass the NCMA Certification Exam
Be a current NHA member
The NCMA credential is valid for 60 months. To maintain the credential, you must either recertify by exam or earn 60 continuing education units (CEUs) every five years.
Licensed Medical Assistant in Washington
The Board of Medical Examiners in Washington offers the Licensed Medical Assistant (LMA) credential. To earn the credential, you must:
Complete an accredited medical assistant program
Pass the national or state licensing exam
Be a current member of the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA)
The LMA credential is valid for 60 months. To maintain the credential, you must either recertify by exam or earn 60 continuing education units (CEUs) every five years.
Medical Assistant Schools In Washington
Many schools are offering medical assistant certification throughout the state, and students have the option of doing a 10-month course or earning an associate’s degree while preparing for certification.
Charter College, Vancouver
With campuses throughout the state, including East Wenatchee, Fife, Lacey, Pasco, and Yakima, Charter College offers a 10-month medical assistant program, with an intake every five weeks. Students will be trained in front-office medical office technology and word processing and will perform a 180-hour externship at a local clinic, physician’s office, hospital, HMO, or another ambulatory health facility.
Seattle Vocational Institute, Seattle
This 15-month program includes a final practicum as well as scholarships for 20 students in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. The SVI program is CAAHEP-accredited.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
Washington state medical assistants’ salaries are the highest in the continental U.S., at an average of $17.88 per hour. There are currently 16,490 CMAs working throughout the state, earning an average of $37,190 per year.
Demand for medical assistants is expected to grow 22 percent by 2030. Washington’s population growth will fuel demand for medical assistants throughout the state, mostly in urban centers, with Seattle leading the way at 25 percent growth by 2040.
Working as a Medical Assistant in Washington
There are and will continue to be promising medical assistant career opportunities in all of Washington’s major cities, including Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, Tacoma, Bellevue, and Everett. Whether you choose to work in a community hospital, medical center, or Kaiser Permanente, employment prospects are great for medical assistants throughout Washington. Both one-year and two-year programs will prepare you for a healthcare career.
Popular Medical Assistant Schools in Washington
FAQs
How much do medical assistants earn in the state of Washington?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Washington made an average of $47,460 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $36,680 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $60,150.
