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How to Become a Medical Assistant in Arkansas
There are two ways of doing things.
You can do them by following your passion, which will stimulate you.
Or, you can do it according to the rules, which will discipline you.
The latter is the main focus of this article as far as Medical Assisting is concerned.
In Arkansas Medical Assistants issues are regulated by the two main institutions of Health.
To begin with, the Arkansas General Assembly has turned an amendment to the Arkansas Medical practices Act in 2009.
According to it, the tasks of the physician are delegated to medical assistants.
After this move, the Arkansas State Medical Board adopted the rules in relation to the profession.
Through these rules, certain tasks will be given to medical assistants that are trained and qualified properly in the state.
According to this amendment, other parameters also have taken power.
These parameters must be met from the Arkansas State Medical Board in relation to the rules of supervision of unlicensed employees.
Apart from that, the Board must also follow the use of the drug types from medical assistants.
They usually administer drug use in healthcare while being supervised by a physician in the first place.
The Board took this issue seriously by adopting Regulation 31, named as the Physician Delegation Regulation.
According to this regulation, a medical assistant is defined as well.
According to this definition, a medical assistant is an unlicensed employed from a physician, who is responsible for performing duties for medical professionals as the Arkansas law allows.
Considering all these legal issues in medical assisting, you may think it a big deal.
But being one is a matter of preparation and education.
The way to this profession is surely through.
So, this article will show you step by step on how to become a medical assistant in Arkansas.
These steps are three:
- Completing a Formal Education Program in Medical Assisting
- Earning a National Credential in Medical Assisting
- Finding a Job as a Medical Assistant in Arkansas
Step 1. Complete a Formal Education Program in Medical Assisting
In this step, formal education is established through Regulation 31.
This rule offers guidelines addressed to physicians on how to delegate tasks to medical assistants.
While physicians are left free to decide which procedures and tasks belong to their employees.
Basically, physicians in Arkansas are in pursuit of medical assistants who fulfill the necessary qualification in the field and are able to do several clinical duties under their supervision.
Qualification is acquired through education.
This education includes a particular training that makes a competent, entry-level medical assistant ready to work in the field.
The education for medical assistants in Arkansas offers a diploma, certificate or an associate-level medical assistant program.
All of these programs will be finalized by an internship.
Their length, however, is different.
Certificate programs are the shortest.
They work best for those candidates who want to immediately jump into the field.
Diploma programs, on the other hand, can take longer.
They usually work best for those who are interested to attend an associate program in medical assisting.
They can take it by transferring the credits into one another.
Associate degrees, on the other hand, are much more demanding in the field.
They are an ideal career choice for candidates who are eager to achieve higher degrees in all nursing careers and medical administration.
Medical assistant programs can get accreditation from two accrediting organizations in Arkansas.
One of these organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
While the second is the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
The second makes sure that graduate candidates in the program are equipped with the minimum competencies of entry-level medical assistants.
In order for a candidate to receive national certification, programs need to be accredited cost what it may.
The programs can be accredited from CAAHEP in the first place.
And secondly, from ABHES.
Step 2. Earn a National Credential in Medical Assisting
Earning a credential in Medical Assisting is a common practice in Arkansas.
This happens because there are not licenses released from the state in the profession.
So, the candidates must seek other qualifications.
Medical Assistants mainly pursue National certification, which is voluntary.
This action proves that the candidates are eager to advance in their knowledge and make progress in the field.
To receive national certification in the field, there are some requirements to be met in the first place.
These requirements include completing a formal education program in medical assisting.
While the exams related to certification are also necessary.
These exams are as follows:
- National Center for Competency Testing: The National Certified Medical Assistant
- National Healthcare Association: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- The American Association of Medical Assistants: Certified Medical Assistant Credential
- The American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants: Podiatric Medical Assistant Certified
- The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
Step 3. Find a Job as a Medical Assistant in Arkansas
Arkansas has been home to medical assistants for years.
Just to note it down, in 2012, 1,986 medical assistants were reported by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.
However, this number is not limited.
As the Department foresees, by 2018, 2,603 medical assistants will be part of the workforce in the state.
Whereas nearly 93 new job opportunities will arise yearly.
The institution considers the titles where the greatest flux of employment takes place.
These titles are:
- Offices of physicians
- Offices of other healthcare practitioners
- General medical and surgical hospitals
- Ambulatory healthcare services
However, the job search is to be considered too.
The best ways to begin your search for a medical assistant job in Arkansas is by exploring the State’s largest medical groups:
- Cooper Clinic, Fort Smith
- Arkansas Health Group, Little Rock
- Baptist Memorial Health Care, Jonesboro
- 19th Medical Group, Little Rock Air Force Base
Apart from work, making connections in the field is highly recommended.
You can make connections with others in your profession through membership in medical assistant professional associations.
You can become a member of the Arkansas Society of Medical Assistants.
The Best Medical Assisting Schools in Arkansas
There are 7 Medical Assisting programs across Arkansas.
Through them, you can either get a diploma, certificate or associate degree.
The higher credential you get, the more you excel in the profession.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR |
| Bryan University | Rogers, AR |
| Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas | De Queen, AR |
| East Arkansas Community College | Forrest City, AR |
| Eastern College of Health Vocations-Little Rock | Little Rock, AR |
| Mid-South Community College | West Memphis, AR |
| Remington College-Little Rock Campus | Little Rock, AR |
Medical Assisting Salaries in Arkansas
Salaries in Medical Assisting jobs in Arkansas depend on a few factors.
These factors include qualifications, work experience, and skills.
The more equipped with these features, the better the salary you will get.
And vice versa.
Annual Salary Range:Location Avg. Annual Salary Little Rock $33,149 Fort Smith $31,015 North Little Rock $33,149 Fayetteville $32,146 Jonesboro $32,802 Pine Bluff $31,921 Springdale $32,146 Conway $32,828 Rogers $31,954 Hot Springs $32,828 Regional Salary in Arkansas
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO 1,060 $36,780 $17.68 $42,920 $30,420 Fort Smith, AR-OK 420 $34,720 $16.69 $40,820 $30,020 Hot Springs, AR 280 $32,840 $15.79 $37,700 $28,080 Jonesboro, AR 190 $35,320 $16.98 $41,230 $29,890 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR 1,640 $36,030 $17.32 $45,390 $29,560 Pine Bluff, AR 100 $34,810 $16.74 $42,310 $30,210
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Medical Assisting by State