According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national annual projected job openings for medical assistants each year from 2020 to 2030 is 18 percent, or 104,000 jobs.
Meanwhile, Oregon's annual projected job openings for medical assistants from 2018 to 2028 is 27 percent or 2,070 jobs.
Formal education or training is not required for medical assistants in Oregon. Aspiring medical assistants can also opt to learn administrative and clinical skills by enrolling in certificate or associate programs offered by colleges and universities.
Generally, the program lasts for one to two years. Some medical assisting programs may require applicants to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, complete prerequisite courses, undergo criminal background checks, drug screening, and immunizations, and obtain a current CPR card from the American Heart Association.
Medical assistants in Oregon are considered unlicensed personnel and should always be under the direct supervision of physicians. According to Oregon Medical Board, physicians should ensure that the medical assistants they hire and supervise are qualified and competent to perform any given task.
They should only practice within the scope of unlicensed healthcare personnel. Physicians can delegate and supervise medical assistants to administer medications as long as the correct medication and appropriate dosage are verified before administration.
Moreover, medical assistants are not allowed to practice medicine, provide independent medical judgment, provide assessments, interpretations, and diagnoses, and perform invasive procedures.
Certification, licensure, or registration for medical assistants is not required to practice in Oregon. However, employers may prefer hiring medical assistants who obtained certification. Another advantage of getting a certification is career growth or possible promotion in the future.
Listed below are the five certifications for medical assistants accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies:
As of May 2021, the national annual median wage for medical assistants in the US is $37,190, with a median hourly rate of $17.88.
In Oregon, the annual median wage for medical assistants is $45,710, with a median hourly rate of $21.97. Their annual wage can also be earned as high as $57,600 or with an hourly rate of $27.69.
This is the state affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
https://www.oregon.gov/omb/Use-of-Unlicensed-Healthcare-Personnel.aspx
This is the state board in charge of regulating the practice of medicine. They published the guidelines on using unlicensed healthcare personnel such as medical assistants in the workplace.
This is a trilevel organization that administers the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA)®—or CMA (AAMA)® exam.
This association administers the Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) exam and Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) exam.
This association administers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Certification exam.
This is an independent credentialing organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which administers the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA).
This association administers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)) exam and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.