If you’re looking into becoming a medical assistant in the Sacramento metro area, you probably want to know the current job market, average salary, and process for starting in this career. The good news is California is one of the very best markets in which medical assistants can work, and Sacramento is one of the best cities in California for MA’s according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the sake of accuracy let’s look at the most recent numbers and look at how Sacramento measures up as an overall job market for Sacramento.
What is a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants work in support of physicians, performing a range of clinical and administrative tasks. They work in medical offices, hospitals, clinics, ambulatory services, and long-term care facilities. Though they cannot practice medicine (give a diagnosis or treatment plan, write prescriptions, interpret test results) they are an essential part of a medical team and help keep the medical facility running smoothly.
What Are the Duties of Medical Assistants in Sacramento?
Medical assistants perform several administrative and clinical duties, including:
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Managing and organizing patient medical records
- Preparing patients for an examination
- Taking patient vital signs
- Greeting patients at appointments and answering phones
- Collecting and inputting patient insurance information
- Drawing blood (with a CPT I certification or under physician supervision)
- Collecting specimens for diagnostic labs
- Removing sutures and changing wound dressings
- Giving medication to patients (only when pre-measured by physician)
- Corresponding with patients to relay information from physician
- Helping physicians with medical examinations
- Administering vaccines
- Any noninvasive procedure that is not restricted by state laws or regulations
- Moving patient information from paper records to electronic health records (EHR)
Job Outlook and Salary for Medical Assistants in Sacramento
According to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics [1], medical assistants are projected to have job growth of 15% from 2024 to 2034. In 2024, medical assistants in California earned an annual mean salary of $52,770 (vs $47,850 in 2023), and a mean hourly wage of $23.01. In Sacramento, during that same period, medical assistants earned an annual mean salary of $61, 380 (vs $ 56,450 in 2023), and a mean hourly wage of $29.51 per hour (vs $27.14 in 2023). Sacramento was one of the top paying metro areas California in 2024, which is the year with the most recent data. The top seven paying metro areas in California for medical assistants during that time were, in order, Vallejo, San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Napa, and Santa Cruz.
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Sacramento
While the state of California does not require certification for you to work as a medical assistant, almost all malpractice insurance requires the medical professionals in the facility or office to be certified for coverage to be approved.
1. Enroll in a Training Program
Typically, a medical assistant training program will be less than a year and give you the necessary education to pass a certification exam. This should include an externship so you get the necessary hands-on work experience to take the exam. You should also learn about necessary subjects such as medical terminology and anatomy.
2. Complete an Externship
An externship is hands-on experience in a clinic or medical facility scheduled after your classroom training. The externship gives you the necessary work hours required to take the certification exam. You also get a chance to work with medical professionals and see what it’s like working in a medical office.
3. Pass the Certification Exam
There are a few different certification exams your school might prepare you for, to become a Certified Medical Assistant. The exam that Campus prepares you for, the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam has 150-multiple choice questions. The NCMA exam is certified by the National Center for Competency Testing.
4. Apply for Jobs and Start Your Career
Once you are certified, you can apply for positions at various medical facilities and clinics in your area. Job boards often have listed open positions, but you can also contact physician offices and see if they are hiring medical assistants. Once you get hired, you can build work experience.
Become a Certified Medical Assistant in About 42 Weeks
If you want to become a certified medical assistant, the training program at Campus Sacramento, formerly MTI College, can help you get the skills you need to start your career as a medical assistant. In about ten months, you’ll get the clinical and administrative training you need to pass your licensing exam and get your first job in the medical assisting field. For more information about start dates, curriculum or student aid, contact our friendly Admissions team or call 888-675-2460.
[1] Note: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with Campus, formerly known as MTI College, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to Campus graduates and, by providing the above information, Campus makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.