Medical assisting is one of the vocations in the healthcare industry in Louisiana that are seeing the most demand and rapid expansion.
Those who choose to work in healthcare do so because they are passionately committed to supporting their patients and the teams who care for them. In this article, we’ll be showing you the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana.
What Is The Educational Programs Required to Become a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants should have post-secondary training, lasting anywhere from a few months to two years. Local colleges and trade institutions provide certificate and diploma programs.
Although online education is accessible, due to the hands-on nature of the medical assistant’s job, students should consider enrolling in a program that provides in-person experience, such as a practicum, especially if they want to work in patient care (rather than office administration).
In Louisiana, the following schools provide medical assistant diplomas and certificates:
- Eastern College of Health Vocations offers a Medical Assistant Certificate Program. This is a private institution with campuses in Shreveport and New Orleans. Classes are flexible, and there is an opportunity for an externship. The curriculum lasts ten months, and students who complete it successfully will get recognized by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- The Medical Assistant Certifications offered by Remington College provide hands-on training in the heart of Louisiana, with a strong community focus. Students at Remington can earn a one-year Medical Assistant Diploma or a two-year Associate’s Degree in Clinical Medical Assisting and then apply for accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
What is The Average Annual Salary of a Medical Assistant in Louisiana
While salaries can range from $31,982 to $14,821, the majority of Clinical Medical Assistant salaries in Louisiana now range from $22,231 (25th percentile) to $28,081 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) earning $31,592 per year.
The typical salary for a Clinical Medical Assistant ranges substantially (up to $5,850), implying that there may be several prospects for growth and more excellent pay dependent on skill level, location, and years of experience.
The Clinical Medical Assistant job market in Louisiana is not very active, based on recent job posting activity, since few organizations are hiring. Medical Assistant salaries in Louisiana rank 50th out of 50 states.
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15 Highest Paid Medical Assistants in Louisiana
Here are the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana
#1. Clinical Medical Assistant
Clinical medical assistants, in general, operate in clinical settings and support physicians and healthcare professionals in treating and caring for patients in the institution.
The responsibilities of a clinical medical assistant are usually determined by their place of employment, credentials, talents, and the types of patients served by the clinic. They are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana.
Some of their functions include;
- Sterilize equipment used in the clinical setting;
- Administer medication to patients;
- Prepare patients for examinations, treatments, and any other procedures;
- Perform blood tests and prepare them to get sent to a laboratory; and
- Prepare examination rooms for the patients.
#2. Podiatric Medical Assistant
Podiatric clinical medical assistants are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. They work in the office of a podiatrist, a doctor who specializes in treating foot illnesses and injuries.
A podiatric clinical medical assistant should have a thorough understanding of podiatric medicine and will have to conduct a variety of specific podiatric responsibilities, such as:
- Making individualized foot casts
- Exposing and producing x-rays; and
- Assisting the podiatrist in additional ways, potentially in a surgical situation.
#3. Administrative Medical Assistant
Administrative medical assistants spend most of their time behind a desk performing administrative tasks for patients and doctors.
An administrative medical assistant may occasionally assist doctors in the treatment room or undertake hands-on therapies with patients.
They are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. An administrative medical assistant’s everyday activities may include the following:
- Basic computer skills used for medical billing and insurance coding.
- Completing insurance paperwork with patient data
- Making appointments for patients and following up with them
- Taking calls and handling the front desk
- Supply and equipment ordering and inventory
- Keeping track of and updating patient records
- Performing other administrative duties as assigned
- Supervising other office staff
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#4. Ophthalmologic Medical Assistant
Ophthalmologic medical assistants are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. They work in the offices of ophthalmologists or specialists who specialize in treating eye problems and injuries.
These medical assistants must be well-versed in this sort of medicine and can anticipate undertaking any of the following ophthalmology-related tasks:
- Demonstrate to patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses prescribed by their doctor.
- Assist ophthalmologists with surgical procedures; and
- Manage any other responsibilities assigned by the ophthalmologist on staff.
#5. Certified and Registered Medical Assistant
The America Association of Medical Assistants certifies certified medical assistants by passing a 30-minute, 200-question exam and retaking it every six months to maintain certification.
A registered medical assistant obtains credentials from the American Medical Technologists by passing a two-hour exam and retaking it every three years.
Although certification or registration is not required to work as a medical assistant, they may provide you with more opportunities. They are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana.
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#6. Obstetric Medical Assistant
Obstetrics Medical Assistant is one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana and a perfect fit for women.
This specialized field necessitates a broad understanding of the care of women of all ages and stages of life. An obstetric medical assistant should help an obstetrician or gynecologist in a variety of roles, such as:
- Help with routine procedures, such as Pap smears, pelvic and breast exams, and STI screening;
- Assist in minor gynecological procedures; and
- Help care for women throughout their pregnancy.
#7. Chiropractic Medical Assistant
Chiropractic medical assistants are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. They specialize in using a holistic approach to treat the musculoskeletal system and various medical conditions.
A chiropractic medical assistant may be responsible for tasks such as:
- Clinical and administrative responsibilities
- Room preparation for chiropractic procedures
- Greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and updating medical records
- Examining the patient’s symptoms and preparing them for their appointment
- Heat, electrical muscle stimulation, and other therapies
- X-raying and photographing the patient’s skeleton
- Aiding the chiropractor with patient examinations
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#8. Dental Assistant
They are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. They have an average annual salary of about $36,940. Dental assistants do everything from patient care and x-rays to recordkeeping and appointment scheduling.
Their responsibilities differ depending on the dentist’s office where they work. They typically perform the following functions;
- Ascertain that patients are at ease in the dental chair.
- Prepare the patients and the working environment for treatments and procedures.
- Sterilize dental instruments.
- Hand Dentists use hand instruments during procedures.
- Teach patients proper oral hygiene.
- Under the supervision of a dentist, process x-rays and complete lab tasks.
- Keep track of all dental treatments.
- Make patient appointments.
- Collaborate with patients on billing and payment.
#9. Nurse Assistant
Nurse Assistants are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. Nursing assistants provide primary care and assistance with daily activities. They commonly do the following:
- Clean and bathe patients or residents
- Help patients use the toilet and dress
- Turn, reposition, and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs
- Listen to and record patients’ health concerns and report that information to nurses
- Measure the patient’s vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
- Serve meals and help patients eat.
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#10. Medical Office Assistant
Medical office assistants (MOAs) are medical support professionals who work to keep the office running smoothly and efficiently in medical practice, clinics, or other healthcare settings.
They are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. MOAs work behind these offices’ desks and are in charge of routine office tasks such as medical billing, accounting, scheduling, and insurance claim filing.
A medical office assistant’s responsibilities vary depending on the size and specialty of the medical office where they work. They earn an average annual salary of about $40,000.
#11. EKG Technician
EKG Technicians are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. They earn an average annual salary of about $62,000.
They assist doctors in identifying and treating cardiovascular conditions in patients by performing diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms, stress tests, and telemetry monitoring tests with specialized equipment. EKG technicians help patients avoid heart attacks and other cardiovascular events by performing these tests.
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#12. Health Unit Clerk
Health Unit Clerks is one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. They earn an average annual salary of about $39,000. They are in charge of providing administrative and clerical assistance to a clinical unit.
Unit clerks can work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, surgical wards, and intensive care units. Their primary responsibility is ensuring that all medical records, laboratory reports, and patient records are filed and stored correctly.
Unit clerks collaborate with medical and nursing staff to provide the best possible patient care. A unit/ward clerk’s other responsibilities include answering phones, distributing mail, and preparing supplies for their unit.
#13. Medical Claims Examiner
Medical claims examiners work with medical insurance customers to determine coverage and act as the insurance companies’ insurers.
Before approving a claim, medical claims examiners review insurance claims to ensure all customer information is correct and all requirements are well met.
They may also be responsible for payment or further investigation into an insurance claim, depending on the examination outcome.
Medical Claims Examiners are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. They earn an average annual salary of about $71,000.
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#14. Home Health Aide
Home health aides provide patients with loving care, promoting healing and overall well-being. They provide care to patients with chronic illnesses and disabilities, the elderly, and those who require continuous care while living at home.
As the eyes and ears of doctors and nurses, their job is to build trust with patients and their families.
Because of their close relationship with patients in their most intimate settings, they are frequently the first to notice changes in patients’ conditions.
#15. Phlebotomy Technician
Phlebotomists are medical assistants accountable for accurately collecting blood samples from patients and donors.
In addition to this, they prepare blood samples for medical testing, which are then used to assist in the diagnosis of various diseases and conditions.
In addition to collecting blood from patients, phlebotomy technicians are responsible for preparing laboratory equipment, updating patients’ medical records, and explaining procedures to patients.
They are one of the highest-paid medical assistants in Louisiana. They earn an average annual salary of about $38,000.
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Conclusion
Medical Assistants play a significant role in the healthcare environment. They are doctors’ right hands, and they help keep everything running as it should. Being a medical assistant is also a satisfying career choice as you will take pleasure in helping others.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the state of Louisiana, a certified medical assistant can expect an hourly wage of an average of $18.12.
Medical assistants can specialize and advance into leadership roles with experience, filling another critical healthcare workforce need. They can become healthcare managers, administrators, nurses, and other professionals by furthering their education.
The Medical assistants are either registered (R.M.A.) or certified (CMA). These titles are determined by the organization to which she or he belongs. There is no qualitative difference between the two credentials simply because one uses the title “Registered” while the other uses the title “Certified.”
While the healthcare environment is changing, medical assistants are not getting phased out in favor of other careers. According to the BLS, medical assisting careers will grow 19% faster than the national average through 2029.
Scrubs in light blue or light green for doctors. Nurses should wear burgundy scrubs. Medical assistants should wear dark blue scrubs.
References
- onlinemedicalassistantprograms.net. -Types of medical assistants.
- medicaltechnologyschools.com -Medical assistants categories.
- indeed.com -Medical assistants salaries in Louisiana.
- ziprecruiter.com -Average medical assistants’ salaries in Louisiana.
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