Medical assistant training is offered at technical high schools, vocational and trade schools, community and junior colleges and some universities and medical schools. Most schools offer a one-year certificate program or a two-year associate degree. Courses are divided between those with a medical focus, such as clinical or diagnostic procedures, and those with an administrative focus, such as medical billing and patient relations. Programs may be accredited either by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Certification is not mandatory for medical assistants, but voluntary certification allows an assistant to demonstrate a nationally recognized level of competence in the field. This in turn can make it easier to find employment, to advance at the workplace and to command a higher salary. There are three professional bodies offering credentialing as medical assistants: the National Center for Competency Testing, the American Association of Medical Assistants and the American Medical Technologists.
Clinical medical assistants may choose to pursue additional certifications, which prepares them to practice at a higher level. Ophthalmic and optometric assistants have additional qualifications in eye care, for example, while podiatric assistants specialize in foot care. Clinical medical assistants may also upgrade their education to qualify as a nurse or other health care professional. Administrative medical assistants may become office managers, or advance to positions of great responsibility in larger institutions. Some will take higher degrees in business or management to improve their prospects.
A number of factors influence a medical assistant's earning potential. Income will vary by geographic region, experience, employer and credentials. Assistants with specialized training and experience, or higher education, may earn significantly more than their less-qualified colleagues. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports in its 2009 survey that the middle 50 percent of medical assistants had an average income of $28,650. The bottom 10 percent reported income of $20,750, while the top 10 percent averaged $39,970. In some institutions, compensation exceeded $46,000 annually.