How Much Would a Medical Assistant With an Associate Degree Get Paid?

Duties

Medical assistants are needed in a variety of medical office settings and hospitals. Depending on your training and experience, you can work for an eye doctor, chiropractor, family practice physician or specialist. In the clinical office, you will be expected to prepare exam rooms for patients, clean equipment, take vital signs, explain medication usage, draw blood and perform other necessary tasks as directed by the doctor. You also may have duties in the front office, such as answering the phones, responding to prescription refills and making appointments.

After earning your associate degree in medical assisting, you will learn the skills needed to perform the duties of your career. You must have the ability to use a computer in your day-to-day tasks, understand and complete health insurance forms and be a liaison with hospital staff to schedule patient testing and procedures. In addition, accounting skills may be needed to post patient billing and complete office bookkeeping. Having good communication skills to listen and understand patient concerns prior to an examination by a doctor is key to ensuring that the proper care is given.

There are many ways to become a medical assistant. One-year vocational and certification programs are available to prepare you to work in a medical setting. However, a two-year associate degree from a college can make your resume attractive to employers because of the classes and training you must pass to receive your degree. Your program can include coursework as varied as anatomy, medical transcription, accounting, lab protocols, pharmacy instruction and legal issues. You also may be required to spend time in a hospital or clinic setting for real-world experience. If you earn a certification through a medical assistant association, you will have to renew your certificate every five years.

While education and certification are important in determining your job prospects as a medical assistant, your years of experience and the type of doctor's office have a larger impact on your income. An associate degree can prepare you to work in these settings, such as a specialty physician's office. As a medical assistant, you can earn about $27,000 per year with three to five years of experience. The average salary for all medical assistants as of 2010 is about $31,000. The higher end of the pay scale for the field is about $39,000. In addition, your employer may offer you benefits, such as medical and dental insurance, vacations, retirement and educational reimbursement.