The Medical Assistant salary and pay range in Austin varies from job to job, depending on a few factors. Medical Assistants can perform a range of tasks and have several responsibilities. The field offers plenty of room to grow. There are entry-level positions available and specialized roles that require more experience and additional training. Most Medical Assistants work in physicians' offices, outpatient clinics, hospitals, long- and short-term care facilities, and other medical offices.
One of the primary responsibilities of a Medical Assistant is to keep the office, clinic, or facility running smoothly. This includes front-office duties like greeting and scheduling patients and back-office tasks like checking vital signs and administering vaccinations. Some jobs may have more of an emphasis on working directly with patients, while other roles might be more administrative. As you prepare to enter a career as a Medical Assistant, getting a well-rounded education is vital to increase your marketability and give you better odds of landing your dream job.
Upskilling means learning additional skills that you can use in your career. Many Medical Assistants have found that adding to their professional repertoire is the fastest way to a better future.
Many prospective students enroll in nationally accredited training programs to earn the highest salary possible as a Medical Assistant. There are two types of designations, depending on the organization to which they belong: a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). There is no difference between the two credentials because one uses the "Registered" title, and the other uses the "Certified" designation.
Top-tier training programs have their benefits. These programs offer hands-on training in a high-demand career. You'll work with instructors with real-life industry experience, using up-to-date equipment and fully equipped labs as part of your education. After completing your studies, these programs also have student-friendly services, flexible schedules, financial aid, and job placement assistance with qualified career counselors. A career counselor can help you plan a roadmap to help you accomplish your career and life goals.
As you study to become a Medical Assistant, you must have specialized certifications as part of your training. During your coursework, you can earn your Medical Assistant certificate and be qualified to test for the Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) certificate in about 10 months.
There are three nationally recognized certifications that many Medical Assistant students choose to pursue:
- Nationally Registered Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NRCPT): Phlebotomy technicians are progressively more important in healthcare and are charged with drawing blood at a medical facility.
- Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician (NRCEKG): EKG technicians are responsible for administering electrocardiogram tests, which help practitioners understand the condition of a patient's heart.
- Nationally Registered Certified Administrative Health Assistant (NRCAHA): Administrative health assistants work with patients and clients, handle scheduling, insurance payments, medical coding, etc.
Medical and Allied Health licensing specialized certifications are offered by National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP).
Austin is a great place to begin your career as a Medical Assistant. Some choose to stay in Austin their entire career – there are plenty of jobs and room for advancement. But others decide to head to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, or Amarillo – or leave the state entirely. A Medical Assistant degree is a terrific stepping stone to more advanced certification and a higher-paying job.
According to indeed.com, Medical Assistants in Austin typically earn between $34,289 and $40,163. The average salary is $37,195 as of April 2022. Medical Assistants who are just starting can make about $19.29 per hour the first year of employment, but as their experience increases, so does their salary. According to indeed.com, Medical Assistants with three to five years of experience earn about $21.57 per hour, while those with more than 10 years of experience make about $24.32 per hour.
Many Medical Assistants usually only work a few years before progressing to a more advanced and higher-paying position. Medical Assistants regularly move on to become licensed practitioner nurses or registered nurses.
Austin has a high demand for Medical Assistants, and there are some terrific places to work. Here are the top 10 employers of Medical Assistants in Austin:
- Mayo Clinic
- University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center
- Loyal Source
- Sutter Health
- Kaiser Permanente
- Swedish Medical Group
- Concentra
- Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
- HealthPartners
- Entira Family Clinics
Each of these businesses hires Medical Assistants to fill various needs at their facilities. Medical Assistants are trained to do many of the administrative and clerical functions of a physician, so they play an essential role in the success of any medical facility.
Veterans looking for the next exciting chapter in life often transition into a healthcare career to continue their service by helping others in the private sector. Many Vets find that the motivation, discipline, and skills acquired in the military are a perfect fit for a new role as a Medical Assistant.
Those who have earned benefits through their service can use the following programs to fund their Medical Assistant training:
- Montgomery GI Bill
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services: Chapter 31. Chapter 31 helps find and maintain employment for Vets with a service-rated disability or handicap.
- Dependent Benefits: Chapter 35. The spouse or children of a Vet or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities can receive school or job training assistance through a DEA program called Chapter 35.
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
Another high point for Veterans is the job placement services after graduation. Veterans, along with all students, can have employment lined up before graduating, so there's no lag between learning and earning!