Hi everyone!

For fear of appearing "rude" hesitate to ask this question of MAs I know casually or encounter while visiting my own doctor, so I thought you all might be of some help.

About how long have you been a medical assistant and about how much money are you bringing home? How are the benefits? Obviously I looked up the average salary online but I am looking for some real world opinions.

Also, how do you like your job? Would you reccomend it to a new comer? I am very interested in this career but am nervous to make such a big decision and change.

Anything I should know before getting myself into this?

I have been browsing your forum for awhile now and appreciate all the information I have found so far!!

Thanks for any help!

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? No

“For fear of appearing "rude" hesitate to ask this question of MAs I know casually or encounter while visiting my own doctor, so I thought you all might be of some help.”

I found the MAs at my doctors office very helpful, don’t rule that out.

“About how long have you been a medical assistant and about how much money are you bringing home?”

I graduated in 2008 with an AAS in Medical Assisting, part of the program allowed us to sit for the CMA test from AAMA. My first job didn’t pan out, 12.40/hr., and I spent 11 months looking for a new position, the doctor left the practice. My second job I started last December, it is through the local tribe in their clinic, so it is on a federal pay scale. I started at 14.95/hr with the tribe, it is an on call position with no benefits. One of my classmates started her job about the time I started my first, she got 13.50 if I recall correctly. These are the starting wages in my area, minimum wage is 8.40.

“How are the benefits?”

I don’t have any yet, although they do buy two sets of scrubs. The last job had full benefits: 401k, medical, dental, local employee discounts, vacation/sick leave and holiday pay.

“Obviously I looked up the average salary online but I am looking for some real world opinions.”

They vary widely depending on where you live.

“Also, how do you like your job? Would you reccomend it to a new comer? I am very interested in this career but am nervous to make such a big decision and change.”

I’m really enjoying my job. The town is small and the tribe treats me well. If you want to stay busy, we are, go for it.

”Anything I should know before getting myself into this?”

Being certified and finding an accredited school that has an externship placement program, vs. finding your own externship, I feel are the greatest help.
Grow your personal network so that when you do find possible employment you are ready and have others looking for you as well.
Russ made a post recently along the lines of, your externship is the longest job interview you will ever go on. I firmly believe this.

Good luck!

jeff

Your Professional Title/Credentials: CMA (AAMA)