Deciding to become a medical assistant can start you on a great career path in the health care industry. Over the last several years, the demand for qualified medical assistants has steadily increased. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 3,000 medical assistants were employed throughout the state. This number is expected to continue to rise by as much as 1,000 new job openings per year.
In addition, medical assistants in Hawaii are paid very well. In 2013, the average medical assistant earned an annual salary of $33,320, according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is well above the national annual average of $30,780. This makes this a great career option for many residents, or those wishing to move to Hawaii.
There are no set educational or certification requirements in Hawaii for those wishing to become medical assistants. However, there are many employers who will only hire those people who have already passed a qualified training course. In addition, some employers also want their employees to be certified prior to employment.
The good news is that these employers are typically willing to pay more for those who have the qualifications they want. This means that you are likely to be able to find a higher paying job with a medical assistant certification, then you are without one. This makes it a good option to attain your training and certification before you begin your career.
There are several Hawaii medical assistant schools to consider. If you intend to work towards earning your certification, you should only look at online medical assistant programs in Hawaii that are accredited. Any school you are considering, will be able to tell you if they are accredited through the Department of Education, Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
These training courses will provide you with the skills you need to work as a medical assistant in a variety of medical facilities across the state, including physician offices, nursing home, hospitals, and urgent care facilities. You can take traditional on campus classes, or take one of the several online medical assistant programs. This offers more flexible scheduling.
Upon completion of any of the medical assistant programs in Hawaii, you can take the required examination to earn your certification. The exam will be based on the information you learned during your training. This will make you eligible to work as a medical assistant and perform duties, such as drawing blood, assisting during patient examinations, schedule appointments, and update records.
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