How to become a medical assistant in Georgia

Medical assistants in Georgia are flexible multitaskers who help medical practices work more efficiently. They handle a broad range of clinical and administrative duties under the supervision of a physician. If you become a medical assistant in Georgia, you will be entering a profession that offers job flexibility and career stability in the dynamic field of healthcare.

Medical assistants in Georgia are not licensed. Though a high school education is the minimum educational requirement, most medical assistants complete a short training program. They typically start their careers in entry-level roles in physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics or urgent care facilities. With experience and education, medical assistants can expand their roles to include areas of specialization and more advanced responsibilities.

“Georgia is an amazing place for education with a magnitude of employment and growth opportunities for anyone thinking about starting a career in medical assisting,” says Christina McRee, CMA (AAMA), A.S., medical assisting instructor and practicum coordinator at Lanier Technical College. McRee holds positions as president of the Hall County Chapter of the Georgia Society of Medical Assistants, AAMA, and vice president of the Georgia Society of Medical Assistants, AAMA.

“Georgia is an amazing place for education with a magnitude of employment and growth opportunities for anyone thinking about starting a career in medical assisting.”

-Christina McRee

“Employers are offering substantial benefits that include educational reimbursement, savings plans, and incentives, and the demand for healthcare professionals has contributed to competitive salaries for medical assisting positions,” she says.

What medical assistants do

Medical assistants are trained to juggle many different responsibilities. They act as a liaison between patients and providers to ensure quality care. Ultimately, their duties can vary by position because they depend on the needs of the providers who supervise them.

“In the state of Georgia, typically in the healthcare field, a medical assistant is defined as a part of the healthcare team who works alongside physicians, PAs [physician assistants], and NPs [nurse practitioners] in an outpatient or ambulatory facility, such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants are cross-trained in key roles throughout the office and trained with a variety of administrative and clinical skills,” says McRee.

Georgia law does not define all the tasks a medical assistant can do. As a medical assistant, here, you can perform any task that a supervising physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant delegates to you as long as you have the knowledge and skills needed to perform it safely and you do not violate any laws in doing so.

A medical assistant in Georgia may have any of the following responsibilities:

With such a wide range of responsibilities, your job may change daily in response to the needs of your workplace. Successful medical assistants provide calm in the sometimes hectic pace of a medical office or clinic. Being a medical assistant requires versatility and the ability to maintain control, professionalism and attention to detail in the ever-changing healthcare environment.

Educational requirements for Georgia

A high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency is the minimum educational requirement for medical assistants in Georgia. It is possible to find a position in which you receive training as needed from your employer. However, a formal medical assistant program is often preferred and may be required as a condition of employment.

“There are several benefits that come from medical assistants earning educational training aside from gainful employment. Education from an accredited medical assisting program provides essential knowledge and skills needed to perform medical procedures, patient care and administrative tasks. This education can enhance credibility and increase chances of securing a job in the competitive healthcare field,” says McRee.

A medical assistant program usually leads to a certificate or diploma. While timing varies, it can take about nine months to a year to complete this course of study. An associate degree in medical assisting is an alternative pathway. With an associate degree, you can earn college credits that may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree later. It takes two years of full-time study to earn an associate degree.

“As the demand for medical assistants has increased over the years, the training programs have become more available and the length of time to complete these training programs has improved. However, not all training programs are the same,” says McRee.

Professional certification

Certification is a professional credential that attests to your knowledge or expertise in a given area. You can earn professional certification as a result of professional training, experience, and/or examination. Certification is awarded from a professional organization.

While the state of Georgia does not require that medical assistants have a specific certification, it may be necessary for employment. Having professional certification can set you apart from other candidates when applying for your dream job. It lets prospective employers know that you are committed to lifelong learning because continuing education is required to maintain certification. Having this credential can also help improve your salary potential and job opportunities.

“Many employers in Georgia actually do require that medical assistants gain certification with one of several certifying bodies, such as the AAMA, AMT, NHA or NCCT, prior to or upon employment,” says McRee. “Any prospective student should always research which certification or credential fits their needs for employment, and which programs are accredited for those specific credentials. Not all employers require the same credential and not all programs and educational institutions are accredited the same way.”

When you earn a certification as a medical assistant in Georgia, it is not state-specific. A certification from a national professional organization is valid in any state. 

“The most popular certifications in demand for medical assistants in Georgia are the CMA (AAMA) and RMA (AMT). Each of these credentials offers requirements backed by a quality scope of education needed for eligibility, testing and recertification,” says McRee. “Both of these credentialing associations are nationally recognized and offer continuing education to their members after initial certification. These two certifications can offer employers reassurance that a high quality of instruction and skills were instilled into each medical assistant who holds their credentials.”

Gaining experience

Gaining experience can help you qualify for the medical assistant positions you want. In addition to completing a formal medical assistant training program, look for ways to expand the type of knowledge and skills that appeal to prospective employers. Consider the following strategies to gain the type of experience that can boost your career options:

Take advantage of your externship. Treat your externship as you would any other job, even if it’s unpaid. This valuable opportunity is your chance to show medical professionals that you can make a meaningful contribution to the profession. In return, you may gain professional references or referrals that could lead to your first job.

Earn certification. You can expand your knowledge and sharpen your skills with certification. Look for certifications that you can earn without having work experience. This type of professional credential is attractive to potential employers seeking qualified job candidates.  

Volunteer at places where you would like to work. Join the volunteer program at a hospital or clinic to experience their work environment. Stay actively involved in healthcare to maintain your skills and confidence until you find the right job. Volunteering also provides another chance to connect with professionals who may provide recommendations or refer you to potential employers.

Work for a temporary staffing agency. Consider working with a temporary medical staffing agency to try out different work environments without making a long-term commitment. It’s not unusual for an employer to use temp-to-hire scenarios to find potential employees.

Learn new skills. Don’t waste any downtime you may have between your program completion and the start of a new job. Learn new skills like billing and coding, two areas where there is a high demand for medical assistants.

Talk to professionals you encounter about the types of software used in physicians’ offices and hospitals. Research ways to gain experience in these programs. Technologies commonly used by medical assistants include:

• Epic Systems (electronic medical records)
• EClinicalWorks HER Software (cloud-based electronic health records)
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Excel
• MEDITECH (medical condition coding software)
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Access
• Intuit QuickBooks
• Microsoft SharePoint
• IDX Systems Patient Chart Tracking

Finding a medical assistant job in Georgia

When you’re ready to enter the workforce, start your job search by taking advantage of career planning services offered by your institution. Services like resume building, interview preparation and job placement assistance can jump start your job search. However, even with this type of support, you are responsible for finding your first job.

Avoid limiting your options by focusing on a specific type of employer or specialty. The purpose of your first job is to start your career and begin earning the experience and skills you need to succeed in this profession.

You may also increase your chances of finding employment by expanding your search geographically if you are willing to move around the state. “Many of the areas with increased employment [in Georgia] have recently had an increase in medical facilities being built and heavy growth with healthcare systems branching out,” says McRee.

Many of the areas with increased employment [in Georgia] have recently had an increase in medical facilities being built and heavy growth with healthcare systems branching out.

Many employers who hire medical assistants include their job under the “Careers” section of their website. Be creative when considering the types of places you might like to work. You may find opportunities in the following environments:

• Physicians’ offices
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Outpatient care centers
• Urgent care centers
• Insurance companies
• Rehabilitation centers
• Medical laboratories
• Walk-in clinics
• University health centers

Allow yourself time to learn about the profession by seeking positions that will provide a wide range of work experience in your early career. Places like family practice offices or urgent care facilities can expose you to many types of scenarios. If you are planning a long-term career in medical assisting, start out in a more general work environment to help you better understand options for specialization.

Look for medical assistant opportunities on the following websites that list healthcare jobs in Georgia:

• Georgia Department of Health Job Opportunities
• American Medical Technologies (AMT) Career Center (searchable by state)

Use national job websites to search for your jobs in your desired city. Receive notification of new jobs daily by setting up an ongoing job search to meet your position and location criteria.

Preparing for your medical assistant interview

Preparing for your medical assistant interview can help you make the best impression on an employer. Use the following strategies to show you are the best candidate for the job:

• Learn as much as you can about your prospective employer, their purpose and who they serve. Ask questions that demonstrate your interest in their mission.
• Review the job description and compare it with your education and experience so you can highlight how you meet their needs.
• Research commonly asked interview questions and prepare answers. Practice by asking a friend to perform a mock interview and provide feedback. Explore free online mock interview tools on websites like Pramp and Glassdoor.  
• Practice nonverbal communication. Try to maintain eye contact and a straight posture during the interview.
• Prepare to dress professionally with a neat appearance and arrive promptly to demonstrate that your interest.

Salaries for Georgia medical assistants

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 25,160 medical assistants currently working in Georgia, and their median annual salary is $38,060. The median annual salary for all U.S. medical assistants is $42,000.

The breakdown among annual salary tiers for medical assistants in Georgia includes:

Increasing your earning potential

The salary you earn as a medical assistant in Georgia depends many factors such as your employer, the geographic location of your workplace, your experience, your area of specialization and the demand for medical assistants. You can position yourself for higher-paying jobs by addressing the factors that impact salaries.

Looking for jobs in areas with the highest demand may improve your salary potential. “While the demand for specialization will always change with trends and job market conditions, family practice and internal medicine continue to be in high demand for medical assistants,” says McRee.

Gaining experience and expanding your expertise with professional credentials are other ways to position yourself for higher salaries. Professional certification is proof that you have demonstrated mastery of a specific body of knowledge and skills.

You may also increase your earning potential if you are willing to work in areas of the state with the most demand for medical assistants. Based on data from the Georgia Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor, the cities of Macon and Gainesville have the highest numbers of growth for medical assistants in physician offices first and hospitals second, says McRee.

Career advancement

Getting your first job as a medical assistant is a significant achievement. However, it is only the start of your career journey.

As you gain experience and master skills, you can work to advance your career. Adding professional certifications can enhance your resume and provide proof that you have the knowledge necessary to perform certain roles.

With the wide range of work that you will do as a medical assistant, you can eventually transition into other jobs that focus more on patient care or administrative duties. Certifications and continuing education programs can complement your medical assistant experience so you can move to the next level of responsibility.

Opportunities for career advancement may be possible by focusing on a specific type of skill or one of the following roles:

• Patient navigator
• Billing supervisor
• Healthcare information technician
• Surgical technician
• Clinical supervisor
• Office manager
• Practice manager

Legal and ethical considerations

As a medical assistant in Georgia, you can have a wide range of responsibilities. However, you can never make independent medical assessments or give advice. The provider is always responsible for the patient.

A physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant can only assign tasks that are within your proven ability, training and experience. Physicians are responsible for maintaining accurate and complete records of the professional services provided.

Per Georgia law, a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner can assign any of the following tasks to a medical assistant:

• Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections
• Administering nebulizer
• Treatment or removing sutures and changing dressings
• Measure vital signs

A physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner must be onsite when a medical assistant gives injections, administers a nebulizer, removes sutures or changes wound dressings. It is not necessary for a physician to be onsite when a medical assistant takes vital signs.

The AAMA Code of Ethics for Medical Assistants establishes the ethical and moral code of conduct for medical assistants. Medical assistants in all states are bound to:

• Render service with full respect for the dignity of humanity.
• Respect confidential information obtained through employment unless legally authorized or required by responsible performance of duty to divulge such information.
• Uphold the honor and high principles of the profession and accept its disciplines.
• Seek to continually improve the knowledge and skills of medical assistants for the benefit of patients and professional colleagues.
• Participate in additional service activities aimed toward improving the health and well-being of the community.

Final thoughts

If you are seeking a rewarding job in healthcare with a positive outlook for expanding opportunities, becoming a medical assistant in Georgia may be your next step. With short-term training options and increasing opportunities, you can soon be on your way to a versatile career in which you can make a difference to patients and providers.

“Working in healthcare allows medical assistants to contribute directly to the well-being of their local communities as well as providing networking and professional growth leading to a fulfilling career,” says McRee.

Published: January 24, 2024