How to Become a Medical Assistant in Wyoming

Medical assistants are an essential part of the health care system. They do clinical tasks, such as taking vital signs and helping with examinations, and have administrative responsibilities that include keeping medical records, taking patient histories and scheduling appointments. Some medical assistants may have a specialty, especially if they work in a hospital or specialized clinic. For detail-oriented, caring individuals, medical assisting can be an interesting and engaging career.[Leer en español]

Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Wyoming

For medical assistants in Wyoming, no training or certification beyond high school or a GED is required, but employers may prefer to hire applicants with a diploma or associate’s degree in medical assisting. They may also prefer to hire applicants with state certification. This can be obtained through sitting for one of five professional exams after the completion of an accredited training program.

Medical Assistant Programs in Wyoming

Because no certification is required by the state, it may be difficult to find colleges or universities offering in-person programs. Community college programs typically take two years to complete, while certificate programs can be finished in as little as one year. However, there are programs available online. Options include:

Purdue University Global

This online certificate program costs $21,147.00 at this time and takes four terms to complete. Students have the opportunity for a 160-hour externship at a physician’s office or clinic local to them. Unless taken at Purdue’s Des Moines, Iowa, campus, this program is not accredited.

Herzing University Online

Herzing offers both a 10-month diploma program and a 16-month associate’s degree in medical assisting. The tuition for the associate’s degree is currently $28,120.00, while the diploma program is $21,090.00 at this time. Students in these programs are able to take the Registered Medical Assistant and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exams after graduation.

Certification and Licensing for Medical Assistants in Wyoming

Wyoming does not require a license or any certification to be a medical assistant in the state, but those who choose to do so can become members of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or Association of Medical Technologists (AMT). The exams and related requirements needed for these memberships are listed on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Certified Medical Assistant Certification in Wyoming

The AAMA offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. To qualify to take the exam, applicants must have graduated from an accredited medical assisting program within the last five years or worked in the field for five of the last 10 years. There is also a route for those who have graduated more than five years ago but have kept their skills current. These individuals must have taken at least 10 continuing education credits each year and worked for a minimum of five years in the last 10.

The CMA exam has 200 multiple-choice questions, covering topics such as medical law and ethics, patient relations, human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and infection control. The exam is offered in both English and Spanish.

Exam registration, which includes an online application and fee, can be completed on the AAMA website. After passing the exam, CMAs must recertify every 60 months by completing continuing education credits or re-taking the exam.

Registered Medical Assistant Certification in Wyoming

The AMT offers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have completed an accredited medical assisting program or have worked in the field for at least five years. There is also a route for those who have graduated more than five years ago but have kept their skills current. These individuals must have taken at least 10 continuing education credits each year and worked for a minimum of five years in the last 10.

The RMA exam has 200 multiple-choice questions, covering topics such as medical law and ethics, patient relations, human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and infection control. The exam is offered in both English and Spanish.

Exam registration, which includes an online application and fee, can be completed on the AMT website. After passing the exam, RMAs must recertify every three years by completing continuing education credits or re-taking the exam.

Licensed Medical Assistant Certification in Wyoming

While certification is not required, many employers prefer to hire medical assistants who are certified. Certification shows that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of a medical assistant. There are several certifying organizations that offer certification exams, including the American Medical Technologists (AMT) and the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certification in Wyoming

The National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential. To qualify to take the exam, applicants must have graduated from an accredited medical assistant program or have worked in the field for at least five years. There is also a route for those who have graduated more than five years ago but have kept their skills current. These individuals must have taken at least 10 continuing education credits each year and worked for a minimum of five years in the last 10.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

The 2021 median wage for medical assistants was $17.99 an hour—more than double the $7.25 national minimum wage that is used in Wyoming. In the same year, 50 percent of salaried medical assistants earned over $37,410.

The projected growth for the medical assisting industry is currently 19 percent. This means there will be a fairly steady increase in job openings for both administrative and clinical medical assistants, as well as openings in medical specialties. These may include areas such as podiatry, pediatrics and cardiology.

Working as a Medical Assistant in Wyoming

Some of the best places in Wyoming to find positions include the state capital of Cheyenne and larger cities such as Rock Springs and Laramie.

Entry level position in medical offices and clinics may only require a high school diploma, although many employers prefer applicants with at least some postsecondary education. Some medical assistants in Wyoming choose to become certified through the AAMA or AMT.

Clinical externship requirements are generally completed during the medical assistant program, but those who have not yet finished their training may be able to find externships through hospitals, clinics or other healthcare facilities.

Ambulatory care facilities, such as doctor’s offices and clinics, will likely see the greatest number of job openings for medical assistants.

The table below shows wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for medical assistants in Wyoming’s major cities.

However, you will find that opportunities are available in both urban and rural areas throughout the state. These opportunities can be invaluable for those who want to be part of the medical community—they not only offer employment in a reliable field but also provide opportunity for growth, as certified medical assistants can move into various specialties or upgrade their training. Health care will always be in demand, so medical assisting can be a career to depend on.

Popular Medical Assistant Schools in Wyoming

FAQs

How much do medical assistants earn in the state of Wyoming?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Wyoming made an average of $37,410 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $29,420 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $48,300.