Salaries of Medical Assistants in California
Job opportunities in medical assisting are increasing at a fast rate, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, and employment for these health care team members is especially concentrated in the state of California. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released in 2009 reveals that California has the highest concentration of medical assistants in the nation, with facilities employing more than 76,000 assistants. If you're planning to work as a medical assistant in this state, it's important to know the Medical Board of California's regulations.
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Duties
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Working as a medical assistant requires not only medical knowledge but also strong communication and interpersonal skills. Typical clinical duties include taking patients' vital signs, preparing them for medical examinations, collecting samples for testing and assisting other health care professionals. In California, you are allowed to administer certain medications or injections and obtain blood samples provided you've received proper training. As a medical assistant, you may also have administrative responsibilities, such as maintaining patient records, completing insurance documentation or answering office telephones.
Practice Requirements
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As with other states, California does not require licensing of medical assistants. However, employers may require that you have certification through a state-approved organization. The Medical Board of California has approved certification programs offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants, American Medical Technologists and California Certifying Board of Medical Assistants. Training can be completed through a post-secondary academic program or through on-the-job training under the supervision of a physician or other medical staff member.
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Salary Information
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The 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the average yearly salary for medical assistants in California is $30,980. This figure is $1,530 above the national average. The majority of opportunities are in physician offices, followed distantly by hospitals. The highest paid medical assistants work in psychiatric hospitals and dental offices, although availability of these positions is limited throughout the nation. These assistants earn between $35,000 and $47,000 a year on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Options
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Depending on your interests, experience and willingness to obtain more training, you can move into higher paying positions within health care facilities, such as nursing. In addition, you can obtain certification in specialties including podiatry and ophthalmology. If you prefer the administrative side of medical assisting work, you can advance into office management positions. As an experienced medical assistant, you may also want to consider teaching in this field at the community college level.
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