How To Become A Medical Assistant in NY

If you’re looking into how to become a medical assistant in NY, you’ve picked a great time for it. The medical assistant (MA) profession is one of the fastest-growing in all of the healthcare industry, with plenty of openings for virtually anyone who can qualify.

So, let’s answer a few common questions about how to become a medical assistant in NY.

What does a medical assistant do?

Medical assistance is a broad job, which straddles both administrative and nursing duties. On the patient side, you might take patient histories, check their vital signs, draw blood, or do other basic nursing-style tasks. However, you may also be called upon to do all manner of office work, such as filing, answering phones, or negotiating with insurance companies.

Basically, you are a jack-of-all-trades who’s there to assist a doctor, clinic, medical office or hospital with whatever tasks you can.

What pay would a medical assistant receive?

Generally speaking, starting pay is in the area of $30,000 per year and the median pay for experienced MAs approaches $40K. So, this is a job which gives plenty of opportunities for personal and career advancement – particularly for those interested in going further in the medical field.

Additionally, the health care benefits tend to be good. You’re working for doctors and hospitals, after all.

How much training is needed to become an MA?

Here in New York, there is no state requirement for certification, so even newcomers to the field can potentially become MAs relatively quickly.

However, nearly any office will require you to have a high school diploma. There are several licensing bodies which certify applicants, including community colleges and universities. These degree programs provide a certificate or diploma. While these certifications are not mandatory in NY, completing one or more will make you more competitive in the job market. However, they cost more and take longer than our offering for Medical and Dental Assistant training.

How does one become certified as an MA?

The two most common certifications are the Certified Medical Assistant or the Registered Medical Assistant. In terms of demands and qualifications, they are effectively equivalent, and employers rarely distinguish between them.

Due to all this, it becomes relatively easy for almost anyone to attend a Medical Assistant Training Program from a qualified outlet, obtain their certification, and almost immediately jump into a career in medicine!

Westchester School for Dental Assistants’ medical assistant program fully prepares our students to work as a medical assistant. Our training last for 900 hours split 70/30 between in-class education program and externship – job training in a work environment.

To learn more about this training program, and quickly get on your way to a new career, contact us today!