How to Become a Medical Assistant in Georgia
Georgia residents seeking a role in the healthcare field will find this job rewarding, fulfilling, and profitable.
Medical assistants have an important position in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. These workers may be responsible for clinical and/or administrative duties with patients depending on their workplace.
Education and Training Requirements
Most of these workers get their high school diploma or GED and attend a post-secondary institution to get an education to become medical assistants. While it’s possible that some facilities will offer on-the-job training to eager individuals, most employers will require a person to receive the proper education and training before offering a job.
Certificate or Associate Degree
If you want to get an education as a medical assistant, Georgia trade schools, community colleges, and vocational colleges offer classes to help you achieve your goals. Programs such as these often 12 to 24 months. Students can receive a certificate or associate degree depending on how much education they choose to pursue.
Required Courses
Some classes and topics students can learn about while becoming a medical assistant are:
- Medical Terminology
- Transcription
- Recordkeeping
- Anatomy
- Accounting
- Insurance Processing
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Medical Assistant?
Curious about what it costs to become a medical assistant in the state of Georgia? The cost can vary, and it depends on which institution you choose, as well as how much schooling you want to receive.
Those who pursue a certification or diploma may be able to get their education for around 2k, while those who want an associate degree from a community college can pay over 25k.
Earning a Certification
Getting certified can help you stand out when applying for positions as a medical assistant. While there is no state law that requires a medical assistant to have a certification or license, most employers will want a person to have one.
Attending a Medical Assistant Program
Attending a medical assistant program offers a great opportunity to get the education and training you need from experts in the field.
How Long Does It Take?
The time it takes to get your medical assistant education in Georgia can depend on where you go and the amount of education you’re pursuing. A diploma or certification can take 12-18 months, while an associate degree will take you two years.
Georgia Medical Assistant Requirements
Those who want to become a medical assistant in Georgia should be aware that the state does not have any specific mandates or requirements in order to work in the field. However, many employers prefer that a person has gone through the proper training and education required to obtain a certification.
Medical Assistant Salaries in GA
Being a medical assistant can be a profitable career path. However, a medical assistant salary in Georgia can vary because of numerous factors. Experience, region, and type of facility can all affect your yearly income.
A few salaries that you may be able to earn in the state of Georgia are:
- Albany $35,959
- Atlanta $38,423
- Macon $36,337
- Savannah $36,758
- Roswell $38,276
Job Description
A medical assistant can have a variety of responsibilities. This can be especially true depending on what kind of facility they work at and if they have a specialized role. Typically, medical assistants complete both clinical and administrative tasks, though in larger facilities they can specialize in one or the other.
Where Does a Georgia Medical Assistant Work?
Curious where a medical assistant works? These employees can work in places like hospitals, outpatient care centers, physician’s offices, and chiropractor’s offices. Most medical assistants work a full-time schedule. They can often work 40 hours each week, and may even work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Career Outlook
If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, you’re in luck. Experts predict that the need for these workers will grow over the next decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are expected to be around 123,00 new medical assistant jobs every year from 2021-2031. This is an increase of 16 percent, which is much higher than the average for other professions.
Experts suggest that there are several reasons for this growth. First, aging workers in the industry will likely retire, and some professionals will find jobs in other fields. Additionally, the baby boomer generation will continue to get older, and the need for medical assistant jobs in Georgia will continue to grow into the coming decade.