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If you are finishing high school and do not know what to do with your life, about the future career, the job of a medical assistant might be a good choice because this career is stable, there are constant job opportunities and there is always a need for their abilities.
Another advantage is that you can work anywhere since medical assistant is in demand in hospitals and clinics across the country.
This means that you might have the opportunity to find a job even if you are changing your location.
So, if you think that helping people is so important that you are ready to dedicate your career to it then working as a medical assistant is the perfect career for you and there is no better time to get the training necessary to start a career in this exciting field.
Article Table of Contents
Job Description
As long as there are people with diseases and illnesses, as well as healthy patients who go to regular checkups, there will be a need for medical assistants.
Medical assistants can be asked to perform basic clinical tasks, including administering medications, assisting with physical examinations and patient education.
Depending on the facility, the medical assistant job might also be related to administrative duties, such as checking in patients, accessing insurance information and answering questions.
They have a stable job, but full of excitement and challenges.
Night shifts, long hours and working weekends are more than normal situations for medical assistants.
Becoming a Medical Assistant in Idaho
The advantage of becoming a medical assistant is that you can become one even though you cannot afford further education.
It is enough to have a high school diploma, and you can learn the duties on the job.
High school students who have decided that they want to become medical assistants take courses in biology, chemistry, and anatomy during their high school education, to get acquainted with their future duties.
However, to be a successful worker in the growing healthcare field, it is advisable to complete training and education at a school or college.
It might be expensive and time-consuming, but the benefits are numerous.
Firstly, you get all the knowledge and practice that will be useful once hired, and thus make you feel self-confident and efficient.
Secondly, the chances of getting the job are higher, since nowadays doctors are seeking certified assistants.
Last, but not least, the salary will be higher.
Requirements
Medical assistants have several options and they can choose to complete a medical assistant diploma, certificate, or associate degree program.
Programs are dedicated to preparing students for medical assistant positions providing them education, training, and experience.
Medical Assistant training program includes lessons about:
- Patient interviewing
- Exam room techniques
- Nursing and surgical procedures
- Medical office management
- Medical terminology, etc.
In Idaho, there are 6 CAAHEP-accredited programs and 3 ABHES-accredited programs in addition to online programs.
The most widely recognized professional certifications for medical assistants in the U.S. are:
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA): American Association of Medical Assistants
- The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA): American Medical Technologists
- National Center for Competency Testing: The National Certified Medical Assistant
- National Healthcare Association: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- The American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants: Podiatric Medical Assistant, Certified (PMAC)
- The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel In Ophthalmology: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)
Getting a Job
Once the education is finished, students focus on finding a satisfying job that meets their lifestyle and needs.
When it comes to Idaho, they can identify the largest healthcare employers.
It is a positive thing that they can work in various medical facilities such as in the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and other health practitioners, hospitals and clinics.
The number of ill older people is growing thus leading to the opening of new clinics and medical offices that will lack medical assistants for clerical and medical duties.
So, the job prospects are expected to grow, especially for certified individuals who often have priority over the unlicensed ones.
Medical assistants may look for job opportunities in:
- Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Idaho Falls
- Kootenai Medical Center, Coeur D’Alene
- Luke’s Regional Medical Center, Boise
- Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Boise
- Portneuf Medical Center, Pocatello
Salary
The medical assistant occupation is flourishing in Idaho and the job prospects are going to rise.
Also, the salary is supposed to be higher, since medical assistants in Idaho currently employed in healthcare earn annual wages ranging from $ 29 949 in Pocatello up to $ 33 913 in Coeur D Alene.
Medical assistants get different wages based on which city or region of Idaho they work in, how many facilities are there and the amount of daily work that the facility has.
The table below shows the salary of a medical assistant in the state of Idaho annually since it significantly varies from one city to another.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boise,ID | $32,700 |
| Caldwell,ID | $32,321 |
| Coeur D Alene,ID | $33,913 |
| Idaho Falls,ID | $31,378 |
| Meridian,ID | $32,665 |
| Nampa,ID | $32,355 |
| Pocatello,ID | $29,949 |
| Twin Falls,ID | $30,191 |
Regional Salary in Idaho
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 2,380 | $43,190 | $20.77 | $50,450 | $37,010 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 520 | $42,780 | $20.57 | $50,040 | $35,490 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 400 | $39,730 | $19.1 | $47,080 | $30,360 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 190 | $42,910 | $20.63 | $51,670 | $35,900 |
| Pocatello, ID | 240 | $39,140 | $18.82 | $46,810 | $31,160 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 140 | $40,180 | $19.32 | $47,150 | $33,420 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Duties
Even though the duties of a medical assistant can vary, they usually include taking patient histories and giving first aid, helping doctors with patient examinations, administering patient injections, scheduling appointments, and preparing blood for laboratory tests.
Those people who enter a program in medical assisting and get certification are prepared to perform more demanding and serious duties such as performing clinical procedures, preparing specimens for analysis and they can understand policies, laws, and patient rights.
When it comes to personal characteristics, patience and good communication skills are necessary to be able to work with patients and other health professionals.
Summary
Not many people are capable of working in the medical field, while many of them do not even have the necessary skills to be successful.
It is true that medical assistants work alongside physicians in health care facilities and can learn their job during the course of work, but if you find yourself dedicated and service orientated, able to stand all the above-mentioned requirements, then you should get education and try becoming a certified medical assistant who will be a crucial member of any medical team.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Assistant
Medical Assisting by City
Medical Assisting by State