Medical Assistant Schools in New Jersey

The duties of a medical assistant in New Jersey range from handling phone calls and checking in to taking measurements, administering medications, and assisting the physician in any capacity. Naturally, a career in this field provides candidates with close-up experience of the medical world.

This is a stepping stone for candidates to pursue more advanced positions and acquire complex skills in the field.

The following sections aim to ease the process of becoming a successful medical assistant in New Jersey by introducing interested individuals to all the considerations they need to make to start their careers on the right foot.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in New Jersey

Residents of New Jersey can follow the steps below to start their medical assisting career on the right path.

Step 1: Preparation

In preparing for a medical assistant career in New Jersey, a high school diploma or GED is the most basic educational qualification necessary. Furthermore, individuals at the start of the journey are encouraged to start building certain key attributes, including compassion, analytical skills, and interpersonal skills, among others.

Step 2: Completing a Training Program

To be as competitive as possible, aspiring medical assistants must complete postsecondary education. However, starting a career in the field is not impossible without it.

However, those who attend a medical assistant program and pick up a certificate or an associate degree are usually more appealing to potential employers. Moreover, certification agencies have a strict requirement that those who would like to become certified must have graduated from an accredited program.

There are several accreditation bodies for medical assistant programs, including CAAHEP and ABHES.

Step 3: On-the-Job Training

Since medical assisting is a hands-on profession, candidates are expected to receive real-world training before they start a full-fledged role. In fact, some aspiring medical assistants may skip academic training and go straight to receiving training “on the job.”

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

Medical assistants in New Jersey pursue certification to gain a competitive edge throughout their careers. Becoming certified typically signals a seal of approval to potential employers, showing that candidates have the drive for their job and have been certified to do a good job by a professional organization.

The American Association of Medical Assistants offers the Certified Medical Assistant credential to medical assistants nationwide. This credential is undoubtedly one of the most prominent that candidates can pursue. However, it is not the only one.

The American Medical Technologist has its own Registered Medical Assistant credential, while candidates can also become certified by associations like the National Healthcareer Association and the American Medical Certification Association.

Certification also facilitates career development via networking and continuing education.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in New Jersey

Aspiring medical assistants in New Jersey may attend any of the following programs for all-around education.

Explore medical assistant schools in New Jersey by city:

• Medical assistant schools in Jersey City

Salary & Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is optimistic about the future of medical assistants in New Jersey and across the state. According to recent projections, the employment rate for professionals in this field is expected to increase by a whopping 15% in the next decade.

As for current earning capacity, a medical assistant in New Jersey can earn between $36,709 and $58,383 based on their career status regarding certain optimizable factors. Those who make $36,709 are just starting and haven’t had time to work on these factors.

On the other side are experienced medical assistants with credentials, favorable places of employment, and a focus area. Of course, the majority of medical assistants in the state are not found on either side but in the middle, where they make an annual average salary of $46,295.

Location can also play a role. Camden has the highest average, at $51,778 per year. Princeton and Newark come second and third, with $50,962 and $48,488, respectively.