Medical Assistant Jobs and Programs in Colorado – Schools, Salary, and License Info

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Colorado

In order to cook well, we all need a well-prepared recipe, but also the skill to do so.

The same way, being accepted into Medical Assisting positions in Colorado is a matter of meeting certain requirements.

These requirements include education, training, and certification.

Usually, in the state, physicians, and employers, in general, are responsible for selecting adequate candidates for work.

However, these requirements can be summed up into three main ones:

• Completing an Educational Program in Medical Assisting
• Pursuing National Credentials
• Exploring the Medical Assisting Profession and Getting a Job

To know more about employment in Medical Assisting in Colorado, we need to consider statistics.

For this reason, considering Colorado’s Department of Labor and Employment is necessary.

According to the institution, a total of 9,149 medical assistants were employed in the field in the state in 2013.

While it is expected that by 2023, the number will increase into 11,808 or 2,659.

This is more than 29%.

While considering 2013, the highest flux of medical assistants was concentrated in these areas of Colorado:

• Denver-Aurora MSA: 4,770
• Colorado Springs MSA: 1,180
• Fort Collins-Loveland MSA: 620
• Boulder-Longmont MSA: 573
• Greely MSA: 440
• Grand Junction MSA: 394
• Pueblo MSA: 341

In addition, the majority of the medical assistants were hired in ambulatory centers and hospitals.

The delegation of tasks to the medical assistants in Colorado is also supervised and according to the Board of Medical Examiners Rules set by the state.

So, unlicensed medical assistants are given medical tasks from the physicians.

Step 1. Completing an Educational Program in Medical Assisting

In all that you do, the first step is always crucial.

In pursuing a Medical Assisting career, education is similarly important.

In other words, gaining a diploma, certificate or associate degree program in this field is enough to prepare an aspiring student to the entry-level profession.

The program that offers certification is typically the shortest in length.

While other programs such as diploma or associate degree programs are more sure to secure with greater advanced opportunities that lead to success.

However, all of the programs have to be finalized with clinical practice.

The latter is proof of the quality of the whole program attendance and education in medical assisting in general.

Medical Assisting students have the chance to choose accrediting programs in the state.

These programs are usually accredited from two organizations operating in Colorado.

The first organization is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP).

While the second is the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

In the latter, medical assistants can receive national certification.

In Colorado, there are momentarily 7 accredited programs from the first accrediting organization.

While 5 other programs are accredited from ABHES.

Som Some of the topics covered within a comprehensive medical assistant program include:

• Health sciences
• Patient care
• Medical law
• Laboratory procedures
• Pharmacology

Step 2. Pursuing National Credentials

Since being licensed in Medical Assisting in Colorado is a bit less common, nationally certified candidates are more frequently hired from employers in the field.

Being nationally certified is a sign that the medical assisting degree of a candidate is a result of an excellent commitment to the profession.

This evaluation is usually done by physicians and employers in general.

The majority of credentials in medical assisting offered in the U.S are offered from the following medical assisting bodies:

• 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 Medical Technologists: Registered Medical Assistant Credential
• The American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants: Podiatric Medical Assistant, Certified
• The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel In ophthalmology: Certified Ophthalmologic Assistant

All of the mentioned credentials require completing a medical assistant previously.

In particular, passing the exam is crucial to receiving any of the certifications.

Step 3. Exploring the Medical Assisting Profession and Getting a Job

After education, graduates need to mix with the people in their profession and soon become a member of any of the associations from the field.

In Colorado, the Colorado Society of Medical Assistant is to be considered to create a membership in medical assisting.

The association is known to post the latest job openings for these medical professionals in the state.

It also organizes different events related to the field during the year.

Jobs related to medical assisting can be found in healthcare environments such as ambulatory care centers, hospitals, and physicians’ offices.

These settings offer many job opportunities.

They can be found precisely in the following largest medical group systems:

• Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Littleton
• Medical Center of Aurora
• Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver
• Denver Health Medical Center
• Rose Medical Center, Denver
• University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora
• Exempla St. Joseph Hospital, Denver

The Best Medical Assisting Schools in Colorado

There are nearly 30 Medical Assisting Schools throughout Colorado.

You can see that by going at the end of this article.

And of course, after taking a visit to the state Colorado.

Medical Assisting Salaries in Colorado

Medical Assisting Salaries in Colorado are a reflection of qualifications, skills, and experience.

Apart from that, the location will also make the salary vary in the state.

So, as Abraham Lincoln once said: ”I will learn and prepare, and one day the opportunity will come”.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Colorado

Medical Assisting by State