Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician. Medical Assistants can have several types of credentials, including registered or certified. 

A Typical Day

  • Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
  • Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
  • Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
  • Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
 

Recommended Credentials

Complete a Medical Assistant Program and pass the CMA (Certification) or RMA (Registered) exam

Education & Training

Regional employers often hire graduates of these programs.

 

Northwest Lower Michigan

 

Medical Assistant Certification 
— Northwestern Michigan College - noncredit online program with Career Step
Medical Assistant Certification
—NMC University Center - Davenport University
Medical Assistant Certification 
— Baker College - Cadillac Campus
Medical Assistant Degrees 
— Kirtland Community College
Medical Assistant Certification
— North Central Michigan College

Elsewhere in Michigan

 

Medical Assistant Certification
— Davenport University in Grand Rapids
Medical Assistant Program
— Grand Rapids Community College
Medical Assistant Program
— Macomb Community College
Medical Assistant, AAAS
— West Shore Community College

Explore This Career

Try it before you buy it!

If you like your biology classes, visit the Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD) Career Tech Center to check out the Health Sciences  program

The Local Advantage Learning Pathway

Pathway 1

Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD) Career Tech Center - Health Sciences

Pathway 2

Medical Assistant Certification 
— Northwestern Michigan College - noncredit online program with Career Step
or
Medical Assistant Certification
—NMC University Center - Davenport University

Pathway 3

Become Certified or Registered: Look into one of the Medical Assistant Programs available, then take the AAMA Certification Exam

 

Sample Employers in Our Region

Click the logos below to learn more.

TIP

Contact one of these companies and ask for an informational interview, to see if you can job shadow, or to find out if they hire interns.

 

Sample Job Titles...

  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
  • Clinical Assistant, Doctor's Assistant
  • Medical Assistant (MA), Medical Office Assistant
  • Medical Administrative Assistant
 

10-Year Job Growth Projections

12.5%
10-County Region
8.8%
Michigan
19%
U.S.

Employed Regionally

830
In 2021 (10-County Region)

Wage Range & Median 10-County Region

$28,980
$36,370 
$45,490

Annual Hires Regionally

105
In 2021

Other Regional Career Resources

Learn more about Medical Assistants at O*NET Online

Sample Career Pathways

Click to download a PDF of this diagram.

Diagram of Paths To and From Other Careers for Medical Assistant