Medical assistants in Utah provide valuable support for physicians and other healthcare professionals. They interact with patients, assist with physical examinations, schedule appointments, and perform basic laboratory procedures.
Prominent training programs in Utah are well-equipped to teach candidates everything they need to know to become successful medical assistants in the state, including clinical and administrative duties. The following guide examines everything an interested individual needs to know to secure admission into a good training program and attain the right level of expertise for entry-level employment.
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Utah
The following framework is the best way to start a career as a medical assistant in Utah.
Academic Training
There are several reasons for prospective medical assistants in Utah to insist upon academic training. One of the major appeals of such an educational arrangement is the fact that candidates will be able to learn in a structured environment.
Additionally, as we will see later, they can earn certificates or associate degrees and qualify for professional credentials. When choosing a training program, Utah residents often choose online programs, which allow them to focus on other commitments.
The majority of medical assistant programs will also adopt a hybrid strategy, allowing for a part of the coursework to be completed online. At the same time, the interactive aspects will require campus, laboratory, and externship training.
On-the-Job Training
On-the-job training is the next step after academic training for prospective medical assistants. However, it can also be considered as an alternative to it.
Usually, it is easier to secure on-the-job training placement after or during the process of completing a training program. This is why candidates tend to combine both approaches.
Training programs will also leverage their connections with local healthcare facilities and institutions to secure placements for students looking to gain more job experience.
Employment
Medical assistants who are properly trained in Utah can immediately start working at a clinic, healthcare facility, or any specific work environment that they prefer. They can also continue to study to build advanced skills in fields such as nursing and surgical assisting.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
As they start their careers, medical assistants in Utah often seek certification, even though it is not compulsory by law. Employers usually prefer certified medical assistants over those who are not.
There are several certification organizations and specific credentials to go for as a medical assistant in Utah. These include the
- National Healthcareer Associations’ Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credential;
- American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certified Medical Assistant credential and
- The American Medical Technologists’ Registered Medical Assistant credential, among others.
Along with the chance to secure direct job placement, certification also helps candidates network with fellow professionals and continue to improve themselves through advanced education. Of course, to be certified, candidates must prove themselves by passing a professional examination, which may include hands-on elements as well.
Top Medical Assistant Schools in Utah
Candidates may consider any of the programs below for their complete medical assistant education in Utah.
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT Campus + Online
Salt Lake Community College offers a medical assistant program consisting of 28 credit hours, leading to a certificate of completion.
Tuition
$2,520 per ProgramContact
(801) 957-4073
stps@slcc.edu
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT Campus + Online
The University of Utah, through its Continuing Education arm, offers a medical assistant program that combines online and in-person training.
Tuition
$3,200 per ProgramContact
(801) 585-1780
proedhealth@utah.edu
Utah State University
Blanding, UT Campus Only
Utah State University's medical assistant program, offered through the College of Agriculture and Applied Science, prepares students for proficiency in essential skills such as phlebotomy, laboratory specimen processing, and electrocardiography.
Tuition
Call for DetailsContact
(435) 678-8131
michele.lyman@usu.edu
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Salary & Career Outlook
According to Indeed.com data, the annual average salary of a medical assistant in Utah depends on several factors, including the exact city where a professional secures employment in the state. Indeed.com data shows that Roosevelt and Murray have the highest relative annual incomes for medical assistants in the state, with annual average salaries of $46,710 and $46,154, respectively.
Eagle Mountain, Draper, and Layton are also prominent places with annual average salaries of $44,946, $44,569, and $44,562 respectively. Other critical factors are employer, credentials, experience, and work environment.
Without focusing on any of these, medical assistants in Utah generally earn an annual average salary of $42,497. Those who are favorable to all of the above factors can earn as much as $52,423, putting them in the top 10 percent.
Those who are on the less favorable side can earn as low as $34,451, putting them in the bottom 10%. The BLS estimates that demand for medical assistants will continue to grow by 15% every year until 2033.