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The medical assistant is a specially-trained, medical professional who has gone through some form of college education that qualifies them for the position of medical assisting. As the medical assistant becomes qualified, they will be responsible for assisting the doctor in most of the elements throughout the care of the patient. This is a very important position for any private practice physician which allows for the doctor to free up some time that needs to be spent on providing care to other patients. Additionally, the medical assistant also provides triage assistance to patients which will tell the doctor which patient is in worse condition ensuring that they are seen before the others. The medical assistant’s salary will have varying elements to it depending on the experience and training of the assistant and the individual facility they are employed in. Many employers of the medical assistant will provide additional benefits on top of the monetary salary that the medical assistant will earn.
Medical Assistant’s Salary
The monetary medical assistant’s salary will vary depending on the experience and education of the assistant. Those who have 1 to 5 years’ experience can expect a salary between $20,000 and $35,000 per year while those with 10 to 20 years’ experience can see their wages increase up to $50,000 per year; making this one of the top salaries for a career that only requires a one-year diploma program to become qualified.
Another element that affects the overall salary for the medical assistant is that of education. Those who earn just a diploma can expect to earn the lower, average salary of about $20,000 per year when they are not certified. If they become certified, this amount can increase up to $22,000 per year. For the medical assistant with the associate’s degree, the yearly salary can jump up to $25,000 per year and $27,000 when they become certified. The medical assistant with the four-year bachelor’s degree and certification can expect to earn the top, starting salary of about $35,000 per year. These figures will also depend on the individual practice that the assistant works in as well as the geographical location of the clinic. Some clinics in larger metropolitan areas may have the funds available to pay the medical assistant a higher salary while those in smaller communities may only be able to afford the minimum amount.
Additional Available Benefits
There are many other benefits available in the medical assistant’s salary that will depend on the practice individually and not the location or the training of the medical assistant. Roughly 60 per cent of employers will offer their medical assistant a competitive benefits package that may include: medical insurance, dental insurance, and life insurance as well as some form of paid time off. The paid time off will vary depending on the facility but will typically include at least holidays and some form of sick leave which allows the medical assistant to take time off if they get sick or if their child gets sick and requires the assistant to stay home to take care of them.
The other main benefit offered to many medical assistants is that of continuing education. This feature will benefit both the medical assistant and the employer since they will be receiving additional training at no cost to them that will enhance their knowledge of the field in which they are working. For instance, the OB/GYN doctor may provide his medical assistant with additional training and education in the field of gynecology that will enhance her existing knowledge in the specialty field. As the medical assistant participates in these continuing education courses, the doctor may choose to pay for the courses ensuring that there is no cost passed down to the employee, but they may be required to sign some form of contract ensuring the doctor that they will continue to work in his practice. As this continuing education is completed, the medical assistant can also go on to become certified in both medical assisting as well as the specialty field in which they have completed the continuing education. This type of certification will provide the assistant with the knowledge required to become very successful throughout her medical career and will also ensure that she will be in the running for future promotions and salary increases.
The medical assistant’s salary will typically start out around $20,000 per year, although with the right training and experience, the salary can quickly become one of the top-paying careers in the healthcare industry. Additionally, the salary earned by the medical assistant cannot always be determined by their paycheck. Instead, it may also rely on all the benefits offered to them by their employer. These benefits add up very quickly especially when the employee has children that require medical care which can become very expensive without the use of medical insurance.
