The medical assistant profession is one of the most rewarding career paths you can choose. This career will allow you to help and reassure patients in need at a professional level. This fulfilling role will keep you busy as well, from communicating with insurance companies to taking patient vitals, medical assistants are handling more and more responsibilities in healthcare offices.
Medical assistants play a key role in any physician’s office, hospital, or other specialty care facility. Due to the sensitive nature of the medical field, it is typically required that medical assistants seek further education and/or certification to develop and verify the necessary skills and abilities you must have to succeed at this level. South Carolina defines medical assistants as “unlicensed assistive personnel,” which means that they can perform the duties of a nurse that do not require special knowledge or judgment gained through special education. Some of the duties include administrative tasks, administering non-critical injections, cleaning medical equipment and tools, and running x-ray machines.
South Carolina is a great place to pursue a medical assistant career due to the state’s expected growth rate in the profession. In the next eight years, South Carolina expects to see 22% growth in the medical assistant field, making it a stable career choice for potential candidates.
With over a dozen schools offering medical assistant programs, anyone in the state has access to the required education. In fact, it is such an important position, that there are two scholarships offered for those pursuing the career path, the LIFE scholarship, and the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.
South Carolina also has a state organization devoted to the education and development of medical assistants. The South Carolina Society of Medical Assistants offers resources and support for those who are interested in, or are a part of one of the state’s accredited medical assistant programs. The society works in conjunction with the American Association of Medical Assistants and supports national certification efforts as well.
With the incredible expected rate of growth, it is a perfect time to begin a career in the medical assistant field in South Carolina. The fulfilling profession will challenge you and offer endless opportunity for development. The South Carolina Society of Medical Assistants also offers a support structure for prospective and current medical assistants to continue developing themselves and provides an opportunity for individuals to network with other medical assistants. There is no excuse for waiting any longer, begin your career journey now!
More Information about Medical Assisting Programs in South Carolina
Medical Assistant Education in South Carolina: What You Need to Know
Medical assisting is a promising career in the healthcare industry, and if you are looking to start a career in healthcare in South Carolina, becoming a medical assistant is an excellent option. Medical assistants play a vital role in providing patient care and supporting healthcare professionals. They perform various administrative and clinical duties, including scheduling appointments, taking patient vitals, and administering medication. This article will discuss the essential things you need to know about medical assistant education in South Carolina.
Education and Training
To become a medical assistant in South Carolina, you need to complete a postsecondary certificate or diploma program. These programs are offered by community colleges, vocational schools, and technical institutes. The length of the program can vary from 9 months to one year, depending on the school and the type of program.
The courses covered in the medical assistant program include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical law and ethics, clinical procedures, and administrative procedures. The program also includes hands-on training in a clinical setting, where students get to practice the skills they have learned in class.
Certification and Licensure
Certification is not mandatory for medical assistants in South Carolina. However, many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants (CMAs) because they have met the standards of the profession. The most recognized certification for medical assistants is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
To be eligible for the CMA certification exam, you need to have completed a medical assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). You also need to pass the certification exam, which includes both a written and a practical component.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for medical assistants in South Carolina is excellent, with a projected job growth of 23.4% from 2019 to 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The demand for medical assistants is driven by the aging population and the increased need for healthcare services.
As of May 2020, the mean annual wage for medical assistants in South Carolina was $34,580, according to the BLS. However, the salary can vary depending on factors such as experience, certification, and location.
Conclusion
Medical assisting is a promising career in South Carolina, with excellent job prospects and a competitive salary. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, you need to complete a postsecondary certificate or diploma program, and you can choose to become certified. The demand for medical assistants is expected to increase in the coming years, so it is an excellent time to start a career in healthcare.