Medical assistants in New York are part of the backbone of healthcare in the state. They provide administrative and clinical support to doctors and nurses in many types of healthcare settings, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, and long-term care facilities.
Completing a medical assisting program can provide individuals with the essential skills and knowledge required to thrive in an entry-level medical assistant role. Such a program also can serve as a solid foundation for future education, whether a medical assistant aspires to become a nurse or another type of healthcare professional.
What Do Medical Assistants Do in New York?
Medical assistants in New York perform a wide range of important administrative, clerical, and clinical tasks. The most common administrative and clerical medical assistant duties include the following:
Updating and filing patients’ records
Filing insurance forms on behalf of patients
Billing and coding
Completing hospital admission forms
Assigning referrals to patients
Performing certain lab services
Clinical tasks performed by medical assistants in New York often include the following:
Obtaining medical histories from patients
Measuring patients’ vital signs
Explaining medical procedures to patients
Collecting specimens for laboratory processing
Administering EKGs (electrocardiograms)
Preparing patients for examinations by doctors and nurses
Like many states, New York limits the scope of practice for many healthcare providers, including medical assistants. Some of the tasks New York state law says that medical assistants cannot perform include administering medication or vaccines and placing sutures, staples, or other forms of wound closures.
Job Outlook for Medical Assistants in New York
Demand for medical assistants in New York is expected to continue to grow throughout the coming years.
According to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), national employment of medical assistants is projected to grow by about 15% between 2023 and 2033, creating 118,000 new jobs. Locally, the rate is much faster: Projections Central, a site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, expects employment of medical assistants in New York to grow by nearly 27% from 2022 through 2032, creating 9,430 new jobs.
As the baby boom population continues to age and seeks more healthcare services, more skilled professionals will be required to meet the need. Medical assistants perform valuable tasks to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
The healthcare industry is thriving in New York state. The NYC Health + Hospitals system is the country’s largest municipal public health system, according to the state comptroller, and New York is home to some of the best hospitals in the U.S. as rated by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, the state’s governor announced investments in recruitment, training, and other areas to ensure the state’s healthcare systems continue to serve the growing needs of New York residents properly.
Steps to Become a Medical Assistant in New York
Becoming a medical assistant in New York involves gaining the right education, developing key skills, and earning an optional certification.
Get the Right Education
Medical assistants in New York typically complete a training program, such as a medical assisting degree or certificate program, to qualify for entry-level roles. Aspiring medical assistants may find that completing a medical assisting degree program can help prepare them for career advancement.
Saint Paul’s School of Nursing offers an Associate of Occupational Studies in Medical Assisting program at its campuses in Queens and on Staten Island. The program covers topics including medical terminology, electronic health records, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and medical records and insurance. It also includes externships that allow students to gain real-world experience that will help them feel more confident in their role.
Develop Key Skills
Medical assisting programs help students develop and hone the skills they will need to provide excellent care as medical assistants in New York. Some of the most important skills for medical assistants are:
Organizational and recordkeeping skills: Medical assistants handle patients’ files, schedule their appointments, and file their insurance paperwork. They need high-level organizational and recordkeeping skills to be able to help keep their office or hospital running smoothly.
Medical knowledge: Medical assistants must have a basic knowledge of medical terminology to understand their day-to-day roles and communicate with patients and healthcare providers.
Computer skills: Medical assistants are responsible for handling, updating, and organizing electronic patient records, which requires basic knowledge of computers and their employers’ software.
Empathy and discretion: Medical assistants often work with patients who are facing difficult situations. They need empathy and discretion to facilitate better communication with patients and adherence to privacy laws.
Earn an Optional Certification
Although medical assistants in New York are not required to hold any certifications, a certification credential may help candidates stand out to potential employers. The medical assisting degree program at Saint Paul’s School of Nursing prepares students to take the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam or the registered medical assistant (RMA) exam.
Start Your Healthcare Career as a Medical Assistant in New York
Pursuing a career as a medical assistant in New York is an excellent choice for aspiring healthcare professionals who are eager to start making an immediate and much-needed impact in their community. Working as a medical assistant also can be a way for these professionals to hone the necessary skills before furthering their education in the future.
Through classroom and hands-on training, the Associate of Occupational Studies in Medical Assisting program at Saint Paul’s School of Nursing provides students with the knowledge and skills required to enter the field and thrive. The program can be completed in as little as 18 months. Explore the different ways you can positively influence patients as a medical assistant in New York.
Recommended Readings
Diversity in Medical Assisting
Exploring the Role of a Medical Assistant
How to Become a Registered Medical Assistant