Being a medical assistant is an integral part of the healthcare industry in Georgia. You can become a member of this critical profession with some training! Medical assistants work under the supervision of physicians, nurses, and other medical team members.
Medical Assistants in Georgia generally have a two-year associate’s degree from an accredited program which includes coursework in basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, transcription, and office health information management systems. Certification is usually required after one year of work experience following graduation or passing a certification exam upon formal training.
Graduates may find employment with general medical and surgical hospitals; outpatient care centers; physician’s offices; nursing homes; home healthcare agencies; public and private schools; government agencies; medical transcription service bureaus. To find out the medical assistant’s scope of practice, continue reading below.
Job Outlook for Medical Assistants in Georgia from 2010 to 2020
The job outlook for Medical Assistants specializing in medical coding is expected to grow at a fast rate of 25% by the year 2020, which is much quicker than most other professions. If you become a medical coder, you want to get the CDI pocket guide for quick and accurate coding. In Georgia, this profession has many positions available due to high growth and replacement needs. Working as a Medical Assistant can be very rewarding, with a Median pay of around $30,000-70,000, depending on the level of training and experience.
Best Paying Cities/Areas for Medical Assistants in Georgia
Columbus, Marietta, Macon, Albany, and Augusta are the top five paying cities or areas for this occupation. Pay rates are highest in Marietta, where the Median pay is $42,660.
Medical Assistants in Georgia assist physicians with daily tasks and procedures as part of a larger healthcare team. Suppose you want to be a medical assistant. You must learn the skills necessary for this career, such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, transcription, and office health information management systems. Being a member of the healthcare industry in Georgia is an excellent choice for those interested in pursuing this career field! Most employers require certification after one year of work experience following graduation or passing a certification exam upon completing formal training.
Responsibilities of Medical Assistants in Georgia
Medical assistants in Georgia may prepare and sterilize instruments or sterile solutions, set up examination rooms, schedule appointments, and maintain medical records. They also perform clinical and basic laboratory tests such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), take blood samples, and dress wounds. In addition to these duties, they answer telephones, fill out necessary insurance forms, and schedule follow-up appointments.
The most common job titles for Medical Assistants are Certified Medical Assistant, CMA, Certified Medical Assistant, CMA, Patient Care Associate, PCA & MA.
Many of the most popular job search sites, including Indeed.com, list Medical Assistant as one of their top searches. You must research this profession to determine if you would enjoy working as a medical assistant in Georgia.
Practice Areas for Medical Assistants in Georgia
Medical Assistants in Georgia may work with the following specialties: Allergy and Immunology, Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Geriatrics, Hand Surgery, Hematology & Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplantation, Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology / Optometry / Visual Field Defects & Pediatric Eye Problems/Strabismus, Orthopedic Surgery – Trauma/Hand.
A similar career path is a certified medication aide (CMA). A CMA is a healthcare professional who has completed a state-approved training program and passed a certification exam. Medication aides are responsible for administering medication to patients in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes or assisted living communities. They are trained in the safe handling and administration of various medications and work under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. The role of a CMA is to ensure that patients receive their medications on time, in the correct dosage, and with the proper documentation. Certified medication aides aim to improve patient outcomes by providing accurate and timely medication administration.
Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Pay by Experience Level for Medical Assistants in Georgia
Entry Level:
Medical Assistants in Georgia with little to no experience tend to make around $30,500 per year. However, those with 5+ years of work experience see much higher salaries at $40,000 annually. A Medical Assistant’s pay will gradually increase as their responsibilities and expertise rise, which is why Medical Assistants need to receive adequate training during the early stages of their career.
Median Pay:
The starting pay for a newly trained Medical Assistant with little to no experience is around $30,500 annually. After 10 years of work experience, a Medical Assistant can expect their pay to increase dramatically up to a median rate of about $41,000 per year. The highest-paid in the profession earn around an average of $42,000 each month, which adds up to an annual salary of $504,000.
Medical Assistants may use software such as Microsoft Office and medical coding tools as part of their daily tasks. In addition to these methods of communication, Medical Assistants also speak on the telephone with patients and other healthcare professionals as manually enter data from physical health assessments into a computer.
Medical Assistants must have excellent human relations skills as they will be dealing with patients regularly, providing information, and answering questions that may be personal for those they are assisting. In addition to this, Medical Assistants must also have excellent skills as they will spend most of their time making notes and recording data via typing.
Education Requirement
To become employed as a medical assistant in Georgia, applicants need only complete the appropriate training or degree program from an accredited institution. After completing these requirements, one must pass a certification exam from The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). These two organizations offer certifications that can be earned at various levels: CMA, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA).
The Editorial Team at Lake Oconee Health is made up of skilled health and wellness writers and experts, led by Daniel Casciato who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We aim to provide our readers with valuable insights and guidance to help them lead healthier and happier lives.
