According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual projected job opening from 2020 to 2030 for medical assistants in the US is 18 percent or 104,400 jobs.

Meanwhile, the medical assistants in New York have an annual projected job opening of 34 percent or 4,660 jobs from 2018 to 2028.

Formal education is not required for medical assistants to practice in New York. However, aspiring medical assistants can take a certificate or associate degree program in colleges or universities that lasts for one to two years.

According to the New York State Board of Medicine, any unlicensed persons with appropriate training, including medical assistants who are practicing in New York, may perform the following under the supervision of a physician:

  1. Secretarial work
  2. Measure vital signs
  3. Perform ECGs
  4. Collect and prepare laboratory specimens
  5. Change or apply wound dressings
  6. Apply allergy patch test
  7. Perform basic hearing and vision tests
  8. Remove sutures or staples

In addition, medical assistants cannot perform the following:

  1. Triage
  2. Administer medications
  3. Administer vaccinations or immunizations
  4. Administer contrast dyes
  5. First assistance in surgical procedures
  6. Place sutures
  7. Apply or remove casts
  8. Take x-rays
  9. Insert or remove intravenous or catheters
  10. Perform EMGs and other nerve conducting studies

Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant in New York

Medical assistants in New York are considered unlicensed and are not required to have a registration or certification. However, some employers may prefer medical assistants with certification when hiring.

Listed below are the five certifications for medical assistants accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies:

  1. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants
  2. Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from American Medical Technologists
  3. National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) from the National Center for Competency Testing
  4. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the National Healthcareer Association
  5. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) from the National Healthcareer Association

Salaries for Medical Assistants in New York

As of May 2021, the annual median wage for medical assistants in the US is $37,190, with a median hourly rate of $17.88.

In New York, the annual median wage for medical assistants is $37,860, with a median hourly rate of $18.20. They can also earn an annual wage of as high as $48,510, with an hourly rate of $23.32.

Medical Assistant Resources in New York

New York State Society of Medical Assistants (NYSSMA)

https://www.nysmedassist.org/

This is the state affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

New York State Education Department (NYSED)

http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/med/medmedicalassistants.htm

The information and practice information, including scopes and tasks of medical assistants in New York, can be found here.

American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

https://www.aama-ntl.org/

This is a trilevel organization that administers the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA)®—or CMA (AAMA)® exam.

American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)

https://www.amcaexams.com/

This association administers the Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) exam and Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) exam.

American Medical Technologists (AMT)

https://americanmedtech.org/

This association administers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Certification exam.

National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

https://www.ncctinc.com/

This is an independent credentialing organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which administers the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA).

National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

https://www.nhanow.com/

This association administers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.

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