Becoming a Medical Assistant in Wisconsin
Medical assistants are respected and valued by the physicians who hire them, because of their ability to streamline and improve the healthcare setting. Both women and men from a variety of backgrounds work in this quickly-expanding field. The primary purpose of medical assistants is to support the operations of doctors’ offices, outpatient clinics and other healthcare settings. Depending on the employer’s needs, a medical assistant performs a variety of administrative and healthcare tasks in order to make things run smoothly. For example, medical assistants make take patients’ vital signs, clean examination rooms or bill insurance companies.[Leer en español]
Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Wisconsin
The state of Wisconsin requires medical assistants to complete a high school degree or GED at the bare minimum. Though there is no additional educational requirement to become a medical assistant, employers are much more likely to hire registered certified medical assistants (CMAs) than untrained applicants.
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) oversees CMA certification, which ensures the competence of medical assistants in administrative and clinical skills.
Medical Assistant Training and Educational Programs in Wisconsin
Wisconsin takes the training and certification of its medical assistants seriously, day or evening classes at a variety of postsecondary institutions throughout the state offer certification.
The curriculum for medical assistant programs in Wisconsin must be approved by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Most medical assistant programs in Wisconsin take about a year to complete and lead to a certificate or diploma.
A range of accredited programs across the state is available for students who wish to pursue their CMA.
Concordia University
The Medical Assistant program offered by this school is unique because most of the training is done online. Students spend just one day per week in the classroom to practice new skills. The 42-credit program can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis and is available to students in the Milwaukee and Beloit areas.
Blackhawk Technical College
Located in Janesville, this school is a component of the larger Wisconsin Technical College system. Students at this school can earn a Medical Assistant Technical Diploma in just two semesters. There are also three other satellite locations for this school across Rock and Green counties.
Milwaukee Career College
Milwaukee Career College has been changing lives through our career training programs since 2002. We have helped so many students begin new careers in the dental, medical, and veterinary fields.
Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Wisconsin
According to the Wisconsin Society of Medical Assistants (WSMA), the CMA credential should be preferred over other medical assistant degrees by Wisconsin physicians during the hiring process. The CMA must be renewed every five years to be considered current.
One reason doctors prefer certified medical assistants is that well-trained individuals reduce the potential for healthcare lawsuits. Furthermore, employing CMAs helps employers ensure they meet Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and Clinical Laboratory Improvements Act (CLIA) requirements.
Licensed Medical Assistant (LMA) Certification in Wisconsin
The LMA credential is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). To be eligible for this credential, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assistant program and pass the American Medical Technologists (AMT) certification exam. Once these requirements have been met, candidates must submit an application to the DSPS along with the required fees.
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification in Wisconsin
The AAMA administers the Certified Medical Assistant examination, which is offered in both written and computer-based formats. The examination assesses medical assistants’ knowledge in administrative and clinical skills.
Before registering for the exam, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assistant program or have at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant. After passing the exam, candidates must submit an application to the AAMA for certification.
The Certified Medical Assistant credential must be renewed every 60 months through either continuing education or retesting.
Eligibility Requirements for Medical Assistant Certification in Wisconsin
Candidates for medical assistant certification in Wisconsin must meet the following requirements:
· Be a high school graduate or have equivalent education
· Complete an accredited medical assistant program or have at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant
· Pass the AAMA Certification Exam
· Submit an application to the AAMA for certification
The CMA credential must be renewed every 60 months through either continuing education or retesting.
Registered Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification in Wisconsin
The AAMA administers the CMA exam, which is offered in both written and computer-based formats. The examination assesses medical assistants’ knowledge in administrative and clinical skills.
Before registering for the exam, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assistant program or have at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant. After passing the exam, candidates must submit an application to the AAMA for certification.
The CMA credential must be renewed every 60 months through either continuing education or retesting.
Eligibility Requirements for Medical Assistant Certification in Wisconsin
Candidates for medical assistant certification in Wisconsin must meet the following requirements:
· Be a high school graduate or have equivalent education
· Complete an accredited medical assistant program or have at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant
· Pass the AAMA Certification Exam
· Submit an application to the AAMA for certification
The CMA credential must be renewed every 60 months through either continuing education or retesting.
Allied Health Education Programs in Wisconsin
The allied health education program at Moraine Park Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and prepares students to take the AAMA Certification Exam. The program is offered in both traditional and hybrid formats, and students can complete the program in as little as 15 months.
Other allied health education programs in Wisconsin include the following:
· Fox Valley Technical College
· Herzing University-Kenosha
· Lakeshore Technical College
· Mid-State Technical College
· Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
· Northwest Wisconsin Technical College
· Waukesha County Technical College
· Western Technical College
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in Wisconsin
While the number of medical assisting jobs is growing rapidly across the country, those in Wisconsin have an especially promising future in the field. In 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics measured a mean hourly rate of $18.30 and a mean annual salary of $38,050 for Wisconsin medical assistant pay rates. These income levels fall on the higher end of medical assistant income across the country.
There were 13,380 medical assistants employed in Wisconsin in 2020, and that number is projected to increase by 12 percent by 2030.
Working as a Medical Assistant in Wisconsin
By far, Wisconsin’s highest-earning medical assistants in 2017 were those working in Eau Claire, who made an annual mean income of $58,650. This number is much higher than the national average of $32,850. The BLS found that the highest numbers of jobs were available in the Milwaukee area and Madison in 2016.
Medical office administrative functions, patient care, and clinical procedures are among the duties that medical assistants in Wisconsin complete every day. These professionals work under the supervision of licensed medical and healthcare providers to perform a variety of tasks. Because medical assistants commonly work in both administrative and clinical roles, they must be able to effectively communicate with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team.
Well-trained medical assistants are highly valued by healthcare providers in Wisconsin. It’s important to note that these health professionals are different than physician’s assistants, who diagnose and treat patients under the direct instruction of a doctor. For people who are detail-oriented, friendly, and interested in health, medical assisting may be a great way to step into a healthcare career.
Popular Medical Assistant Schools in Wisconsin
FAQs
How much do medical assistants earn in the state of Wisconsin?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Wisconsin made an average of $38,050 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $30,100 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $48,190.
