A medical assistant technician is the same as a medical assistant, with a slightly different name. Medical assistants and medical assistant technicians have the same responsibilities, scope of practice, average salaries, and certification options.
Medical assistant technicians are responsible for both clinical and administrative tasks such as performing blood draws and scheduling appointments. They often work in doctor’s offices, clinics, and hospitals.
This guide will go over what a medical assistant technician is, their salary, responsibilities, and anything else you might need to know.
What is a Medical Assistant Technician?
Medical assistant technician is just another name for a medical assistant. Medical assistant technicians are healthcare workers who work alongside physicians to take care of patients.
Medical assistant technicians often receive on-the-job training, attend an online medical assistant training program, or earn an associate degree.
Medical assistant technicians can specialize in either clinical or administrative work, but most of them manage both types of responsibilities.
You can learn more about what a medical assistant is here.
Where Do Medical Assistant Technicians Work?
Medical assistants can work in a variety of settings including doctor’s offices, hospitals, and clinics. Some medical assistant technicians even work from home as medical administrative assistants.
Medical assistant technicians usually choose a job based on their preferences and what type of medical care they hope to provide.
Some medical assistant technicians enjoy a fast-paced environment like an urgent care clinic, while others enjoy the flexibility of working for an insurance company from home.
Medical assistant technicians might specialize in pediatrics, podiatry, geriatrics, cardiology, or family practice, just to name a few. Some medical assistants eventually become instructors in medical assisting programs or become office managers for their facility.
You can learn more about the types of medical assistants here and the highest-paying medical assistant specialties here.
What Does a Medical Assistant Technician Do?
Medical assistants perform a wide range of tasks that include both direct patient care and front-office management. Medical assistants can:
- Schedule appointments
- Give injections
- Give some medications
- Draw blood
- Collect urine and stool samples
- Measure vital signs
- Record patient history
- Maintain accurate medical records
- Assist with bedside procedures
- Coordinate with insurance companies
- Deal with billing
- Clean patient care rooms
- Organize supplies
- Sterilize equipment
You can learn more about medical assistant responsibilities here.
Medical Assistant Technician Salary
The average salary for a medical assistant technician in the United States is $37,190 per year or $17.88 per hour. The top 10% of medical assistant technicians earn $48,170 per year and the lowest 10% earn $29,070.
Medical assistants typically earn more money if they are certified. In fact, certified medical assistants generally earn 5-10% more than their uncertified counterparts.
You can learn more about medical assistant salaries here.
Medical Assistant Technician Job Outlook
Medical assistant technicians have a great job outlook for the foreseeable future. Job opportunities for medical assistant technicians are expected to increase by 16% between 2021 and 2031. That means there will be over 100,000 medical assistant technician job openings across the United States in the next ten years.
Compared to other healthcare jobs, medical assisting has one of the best job outlooks. Medical assistants are already in high demand, and that demand will continue to climb as the need for healthcare providers increases.
How to Become a Medical Assistant Technician
If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant technician, here are the general steps you’ll have to follow:
- Obtain a high school diploma or GED
- Compare different medical assistant programs (optional)
- Apply and enroll in the program of your choice (optional)
- Pass your medical assistant certification exam (optional)
- Consider a medical assistant externship (optional)
- Craft your resume
- Apply for jobs and interview
- Get to work!
You can learn more about what goes into each step of becoming a medical assistant here.
