Monday, March 1, 2010

Medical Assistant Salary Guidelines

Medical assistants today form a crucial part of the health care family. They are considered key elements who oversee the smooth running of a medical unit. From administrative to clinic duties, the assistants work under the guidance of the physician. One of the fast growing jobs, the work of a medical professional requires one to remain abreast of his duties and the salary that a person with his experience can avail under the current market scenario.

The remuneration payable to a medical assistant is dependent on a number of factors. Some of the major determinants are mentioned below:

1. Geographical location of the assistant has a great impact on the earning capacity of the individual. Typically the salary earned by a medical aide who is staying in a city with a higher cost of living will be more than one practicing in rural areas. Statistics reveal that the New York City offers the maximum average remuneration to a medical billing assistant as compared to other states.

2. The salary of the assistant also changes with the employer. Studies disclose that an approximate of 62% of the medical professions work in the doctors' offices, 12% in hospitals, 11% with other medical practitioners, and the rest with outpatient care units, residential clinics, etc. Varying with the place of employment the task allotted can differ that defines the income due to him. From day-to-day operations like answering telephones, updating medical records to clinical tasks like preparing the patient for medical examination, elucidating the treatment procedure to the patient, the chore undertaken by him define the salary payable. A certified medical assistant may also take up the job of executing laboratory test, sterilizing the medical instruments and assisting the medical practitioner in conducting research on the ailment including library and online search.

3. The assistant's basic education and the level of experience determine the amount of compensation for his services. Based on the reports by Salary.com of March, 2009, the top 10% of medical billers are eligible to earn approximately $33,335 or more while the middle level earn between $26,129 and $30,980. He can improve the chances for better reward by undergoing a certification program that makes him a qualified medical assistant that can enhance the chances for being promoted as office manager or clinical supervisor.

4. The area of specialty of the assistant is another key factor that has a role in his pay definition. Working under a pediatric, dental or ophthalmologist can define his tasks and the payment. Similarly, he can also go for a career in teaching medical assisting, nursing, medical laboratory technician, etc. With the remuneration varying with the task, and the task changing with the role, the features that define the salary are in numerous.


Read here to know how to build certified medical assistant career Everything you should know about medical assistant training

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