Medical assistant shortages continue to challenge healthcare organizations across the U.S. According to the Medical Group Management Association, 43% of surveyed medical group practices in 2024 could not fill their medical assistant vacancies. As a result, those practices had to hire alternative workers to carry out medical assistants’ responsibilities.
The medical assistant shortage extends to New York, where significant growth in the profession is predicted in the coming years. Anyone considering enrolling in a medical assisting program in New York can benefit from learning more about the position and how to become a medical assistant in NY.
What Does a Medical Assistant Do in New York?
Individuals who work as medical assistants in New York have both clinical and administrative responsibilities. Their work focuses on promoting positive health outcomes for patients and keeping their healthcare organizations running smoothly. Medical assistants work in a wide range of environments.
Responsibilities of Medical Assistants in New York
Medical assistants’ clinical responsibilities can include duties such as:
Taking vital signs
Assisting with medical exams
Recording medical histories
Gathering specimens for lab tests
Updating medical records
They also can perform administrative duties such as:
Maintaining inventories of office and medical supplies
Completing health insurance forms
Scheduling patients’ appointments
Answering telephone calls
Greeting patients
Along with needing to have the skills required to perform their clinical and administrative duties, medical assistants benefit from being competent in areas such as communication, empathy, and attention to detail.
Work Settings for Medical Assistants in New York
Becoming a medical assistant in New York prepares an individual to work in a number of types of healthcare settings. For example, medical assistants work in:
Physician’s offices
Hospitals
Outpatient and ambulatory care centers
Clinics
Steps to Become a Medical Assistant in NY
Learning how to become a medical assistant in NY is important because individuals need to follow certain steps to qualify for the role. Those steps are outlined below.
Become a High School Graduate or the Equivalent, and Meet Age Requirements
To enroll in the medical assisting program at either of Saint Paul’s School of Nursing’s New York campuses in Staten Island and Queens, individuals need to be high school graduates. Alternatively, they can pass the General Educational Development (GED) exam.
In addition, people who want to pursue medical assistant training need to be at least 17 years old.
Achieve a Minimum Score on a Required Aptitude Exam
Saint Paul’s School of Nursing also requires medical assisting program applicants to achieve a passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE). This test comprises 50 multiple-choice questions that test individuals’ logic, math, and other skills. Applicants have three opportunities to achieve a passing score.
Complete a Medical Assisting Training Program
The medical assisting training program at Saint Paul’s School of Nursing is an associate degree program that requires students to complete 97 quarter credits. The program spans 72 instructional weeks (six 12-week academic terms). Students have the opportunity to acquire real-world expertise they can put to use in an entry-level position as a medical assistant.
Courses in Saint Paul’s School of Nursing’s medical assisting program cover subjects such as:
Life support
Anatomy
Physiology
Hematology
Phlebotomy
Pharmacology
Medical specialties
Courses also cover important subjects such as:
Computer applications
Medical records and insurance
Electronic health records
Administrative medical procedures
Ethics and regulatory compliance
In addition, medical assisting students complete externships where they can apply what they have learned through their training program in a healthcare facility. While being supervised by a preceptor, students perform the tasks of a medical assistant. This is an opportunity to get valuable hands-on experience and learn about working in a healthcare setting.
Consider Earning a Certification
Although licensing and certification are not required by the state to work as a medical assistant in New York, employers typically prefer that medical assistants earn a certification. According to the National Healthcareer Association, more than 85% of employers either require or encourage certification for their medical assistants.
Students in the medical assisting program at Saint Paul’s School of Nursing take a certification review course. It prepares them to sit for the certified medical assistant (CMA) examination that the American Association of Medical Assistants offers or the registered medical assistant (RMA) examination that American Medical Technologists offers.
Job Outlook for Medical Assistants in NY
Becoming a medical assistant in New York could be a solid career move because of the attractive employment prospects for medical assistants in the state.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 15% job growth for medical assistants nationwide from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average growth rate. Job growth projections for medical assistants in New York are even higher. Projections Central, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, expects jobs for medical assistants in New York to grow by almost 27% from 2022 to 2032.
Other factors that could translate into a strong job market for those working as a medical assistant in NY include the following:
The number of medical assistants employed in New York is relatively high. As of May 2023, the BLS included New York among the five U.S. states that employed the most medical assistants.
Healthcare is a top employer in New York State. A report from the Office of the New York State Comptroller noted that the healthcare and social assistance sector accounted for nearly 20% of jobs across the state in 2023. In addition, except for the Southern Tier region of the state, the healthcare and social assistance sector was the top employer in every region of New York.
An aging population in New York will require more healthcare. According to information from the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Office for the Aging, New York’s population of adults aged 60 and above (4.6 million) is the fourth highest among all U.S. states. In addition, by 2030, that population is projected to grow to 5.3 million.
Knowing How to Become a Medical Assistant in New York Could Be Your First Step on a Meaningful Career Path
Becoming a medical assistant in New York can lead to a fulfilling career. Every day, medical assistants in New York have the opportunity to improve the lives of others and help our healthcare system operate efficiently.
Individuals seeking medical assisting training can explore Saint Paul’s School of Nursing’s Associate of Occupational Studies in Medical Assisting program to learn how the program can help them achieve their career goals. Offered on campuses in Queens and on Staten Island, the program offers training that prepares students to pursue a rewarding entry-level job as a medical assistant.
Start working on your medical assisting career goals today.
Recommended Readings
Diversity in Medical Assisting
Exploring the Role of a Medical Assistant
How to Become a Registered Medical Assistant