Medical Assistant Salary in Arkansas

A medical assistant is a member of the health care team that is assigned to do administrative, front office and clinical responsibilities. One of their most important tasks is to assist doctors in doing general check-ups. They are also trained to relay crucial information about the operational procedures of a hospital to different patients and guests. The salary of a medical assistant is much talked-about especially among those who want to pursue a career in this field. Although it varies from state to state, city to city and region to region, the factors that determine it remain the same. Some of the things that influence the salary of a medical assistant are work experience, level of education, geographic location and industry. The salary of medical assistants in Arkansas is not an exception to these determinants.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual medical assistant salary in Arkansas is $26,100 in 2009. This means that they have an hourly pay of $12.55. However, this depends on the health care facility that they work for. Those who work in private centers such as doctor’s or physician’s offices are paid lower than their colleagues who work for hospitals and outpatient care departments. The salary of a medical assistant also depends on the nature of one’s work. For example, an individual who has the job title of a medical administrative assistant in AK has a yearly pay of $28,000 while someone who is working as support assistant can expect to earn a medical support assistant salary in the same area, of about $38,000 annually. A nurse practitioner physician assistant receives an average of $101,000 in a year while a physician assistant gets $90,000. A physical therapy assistant in Arkansas has a yearly pay check of $62,000 while medical assistant director earns $35,000. As an individual gains more work experience in this field, his or her salary will also improve. Additional knowledge and skill will also help him or her climb up the career ladder in a fastidious way.

Geographic location is a major factor that influences the salary of a medical assistant in AK. Here are some of the major cities in this state with their corresponding rates. Those who are employed in Little Rock have an average annual wage of $26,620 while the ones who are hired in Pine Bluff receive $25,390. Medical assistants situated in Fayetteville earn $29,050 while the ones in Jonesboro get paid around $23, 630. Those who are located in Fort Smith, on the other hand, have an average annual salary of $23,050. And the ones working in the city of Hot Springs earn around $24,860 in a year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for medical assistants in Arkansas are excellent. There will be numerous positions opening for those who want to follow this career path. In fact, this has been reported to be the most fruitful career in the entire medical industry. Employers seek to hire individuals who can perform both clinical and administrative duties. One of the reasons for the rapid increase of the employment rate for medical assistants is the unstoppable expansion of the medical technologies.

Just like in any other state in the country, aspiring medical assistants in AK are required to complete a 2-year training program for the course. Students have a wide variety of schools to choose from. However, they must pick an institution that has been duly accredited. Arkansas Tech University is located in the city of Russellville. It offers an associate’s degree for its medical assistant program and it has been accredited by CAAHEP. Bryan College is another technical school in Arkansas. This is situated in Rogers and it provides scholarship to those who are aspiring to be medical assistants. Both of these universities aim to provide their students with top-notch education and prepare them for the numerous responsibilities that fall under the job description of a medical assistant. Some of the things that an applicant should consider are admissions requirements, program costs and class schedules.