In 2010, the American Association of Medical Assistants surveyed more than 3,500 members regarding salaries. According to the results, the average certified MA with zero to two years of experience earns $25,304. For an entry-level position in health careers that does not require an associate or bachelor's degree, this is an above-average salary. Finding free medical assistant training for New York City residents can help low-income workers retrain for a medical assistant certificate and seek a stable job with a strong entry-level salary.
Free Medical Assistant Training
Medical assistants work in doctor's offices, nursing homes, and hospitals. Certified medical assistants complete a national MA certification exam, though some healthcare facilities will hire non-certified MAs. This is rare; in most cases you must be fully certified to get a medical assistant job.
Some of the duties required for medical assistant careers include:
- Administrative work – answering phones, scheduling appointments, transcribing physician and nurse notes, filing, submitting insurance bills.
- Public work – greeting patients, handling questions.
- Physical work – taking X-rays, giving injections, drawing blood, cleaning examination rooms, setting up examination rooms for procedures.
Each state has different laws concerning the medical assistant job and tasks permitted. Most medical assistant schools offer either a one-year course resulting in a diploma or a two-year course that gives an associate degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the medical assistant job market is one of the fastest growing for the 2008-2018 decade. Free medical assistant training can place any graduate in a strong position for finding a medical assistant job.
Medical Assistant Certification
To gain certification as an MA, students need to enroll in and complete a medical assistant school that is certified by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Students then are permitted to sit for the exam for medical assistant certification.
The American Association of Medical Assistants, or AAMA, offers the certification exam for medical assistants. When a MA student passes, he or she receives the Certified Medical Assistant, or CMA credential. The medical assistant certification is national, so it transfers with you if you move to a new state.
Medical Assistant Schools – Free MA Training
New York City offers three strong programs for students seeking free MA training. These medical assistant schools do not charge for tuition, and some cover all costs, including books and uniforms:
Bronx Educational Opportunity Center – offers free medical assistant training for qualified applicants. Students can also receive adult basic education, pre-GED and GED classes if needed before going on to the medical education programs. Call 718-530-7000 to ask about requirements and enrollment.
Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center – provides programs including medical office administration, and is run by the State University of New York system. Call 718-802-3300 to ask about openings.
Workforce1 Training Grants – acquire free medical assistant training through Workforce1, which gives individual grants to people seeking new job training. Check out how to apply for a grant for free medical office administration courses.
Call each free medical assistant training program to ask about open slots, requirements, when new classes begin, and work your way toward a medical assistant certificate and a new MA job.
Free CNA, HHA Training and More
To learn about becoming and CNA or HHA through tuition-free programs, please read:
Free Certified Nursing Assistant Training in NYC – looking for a more direct patient care role? Read more here.
Free Home Health Aide Training in NYC – find out about programs in New York City.
Online CNA Training – online certification courses for nurse aides are a convenient solution for busy students.
Online Home Health Aide Training – hoping to take classes via distance learning?
Online Phlebotomy Training – want to work in a lab and draw blood? Learn how to find classes online.
References:
2010 Salary Survey, American Association of Medical Assistants. Accessed January 16, 2011.
Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011, Medical Assistants, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed January 17, 2011.
Melanie Zoltan - Melanie Zoltan is a former college professor and administrator who has written for About.com, PCWorld, Brain Child, Thomson Gale, and ...
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