How to become a medical assistant in Texas

Medical assisting is an in-demand profession that offers job flexibility and career stability in the field of healthcare. It involves performing a combination of administrative and clinical tasks under the supervision of a physician.

Texas law does not have specific educational requirements for medical assistants, so you will find few barriers to working in this role here. With minimal training, you can qualify for entry-level roles in physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics and urgent care facilities. Responsibilities can vary widely based on your workplace and area of specialty.

“If you are going to start medical assisting as a career path in the state of Texas, you are very smart because we have one the most liberal scopes of practice in the country,” says Sherry Bogar, CMA (AAMA), CN-BC, Texas Society of Medical Assistants (TSMA) Speaker of the General Assembly and past president. “The state’s current scope of practice indicates that we function and operate and do the tasks that are delegated to us by the physician. If we have been trained by the physician in a certain task, we can do it.”

What Texas medical assistants do

Medical assistants in Texas act as a bridge between patients and providers to ensure that everything runs smoothly. To accomplish this, you will be cross-trained to perform the types of tasks needed in your workplace.

“If you are looking to be a leader in a clinical setting and you are someone who is able to look at processes and ways to improve processes and how the front works with the back and the back works with the front, you are a perfect candidate for a medical assistant because that is what we’re trained in,” says Bogar.

There is no specific list of tasks assigned to medical assistants under Texas law. In this state, you can perform any task that a supervising physician delegates to you if you have the knowledge and skills needed to perform it safely and you do not violate any other laws in doing so.

“As a medical assistant, you are there to take care of the provider, and second, the patient. That’s a unique position to be in. That is different from a nurse, whose responsibility is to the patient,” says Bogar. “That is what medical assisting is all about, being able to make sure that the provider has every aspect of what they need.”

A medical assistant in Texas may have any or all of the following responsibilities:

With such a wide range of responsibilities, your job may change as the needs of your workplace change. Succeeding as a medical assistant requires flexibility and the ability to maintain control, professionalism and attention to detail in the ever-changing healthcare environment.

Educational requirements for Texas

The minimum educational requirement to become a medical assistant in Texas is a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency. It is possible to qualify for this position and progress with on-the-job training. However, many employers prefer, and may even require, a formal medical assistant training program.

“One of the advantages of completing a proper medical assistant program is that if you choose to go outside the state of Texas, you have the education and foundation to work anywhere versus learning on the job when you’re only learning how one provider likes things done,” says Bogar.

Most medical assistant programs lead to a certificate or diploma. You can also earn an associate degree in medical assisting A typical medical assistant program takes about nine months to a year. While an associate degree typically requires two years of full-time study, you may be able to use the credits you earn toward a bachelor’s degree later.

“Anyone who is considering this role is doing themselves a huge service and elevating themselves by seeking an education. They’re getting a very good foundation of hard skills like billing and coding, phlebotomy, EKG testing, pharmacology and how to do injections,” says Bogar.

Professional certification

Certification is a professional credential that proves you have mastered the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a specific role. It is awarded by a professional organization to candidates who meet the certification’s criteria for education, experience and examination.

While no specific certification is required for medical assistants in Texas, this credential can play an important role in your career. It can help set you apart from others in your field. It may increase your salary and job opportunities. It is also proof of a commitment to lifelong learning because continuing education is required to maintain a certification.

It is important to understand the difference between a certification and a certificate program, since medical assistants in Texas may attend a certificate program to receive their education.

Gaining experience

Like any new graduate, you may find it challenging to get the experience you need to apply for the positions you desire. You can help jumpstart your career as a medical assistant with the following strategies:

Don’t underestimate the value of your externship. Your externship experience can go a long way in helping you find a job quickly. Even if it’s unpaid, treat the experience as you would any other job. In return, your colleagues may be willing to provide professional references when you begin your official job search.

Volunteer at potential workplaces. Volunteer at a hospital or clinic to get experience and connect with professionals who may be able to provide recommendations or refer you to potential employers. Remaining actively involved in healthcare can help you maintain your skills and confidence until you find the right job comes along.

Earn a certification. The study and preparation you put into getting a certification can help you expand your knowledge and keep your skills sharp. Take advantage of certifications you can earn without work experience. These credentials will help you stand out among other entry-level job candidates.

Expand your skills. If you have a lapse between your program completion and the start of a new job, consider expanding on skills such as billing and coding, an area where there is a high demand for medical assistants.

Consider temporary work. Working for a temporary staffing agency may help you get your foot in the door of prospective workplaces. The experience can give you a chance to try out different environments without making a long-term commitment.

Ask prospective employers about the types of software they use and work to gain knowledge and familiarity with these programs. Technologies commonly used by medical assistants include:

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

Finding a medical assistant job in Texas

As you approach the completion of your program take advantage of any resume-building or career planning tools offered by your school. While some institutions have programs in place to help graduates find jobs, be prepared to handle your own job search.

You can increase your chances of finding your dream job if you think outside the box during your job search. Explore openings in a wide range of work environments. If possible, expand your geographic criteria.

“The advantage of looking for jobs as a medical assistant in Texas is that we’re so geographically big. There are a lot of rural areas where medical assistants are used in offices. So, if you’re willing to move around and not be in major cities, you may find more opportunities,” says Bogar.

Here are some of the places you may find employment in Texas:

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

“Family practice or urgent care are great starting points. They are going to open you up to everything. Family practice is in dire need of great advocates,” says Bogar. “Having a baseline of something like family practice and learning everything about medications and processes and how important it is from the head to the toe, and then specializing, is ideal for someone who is choosing this as their lifelong path.”

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

• Texas Health Resources
• WorkInTexas.com (jobs in Texas state agencies and universities)
• American Medical Technologies (AMT) Career Center (searchable by state)

Use can also use national job websites to search for your jobs in your desired city. Some of the most notable include Indeed, LinkedIn and Glassdoor.

Preparing for your medical assistant interview

Taking the time to prepare for your medical assistant interview can improve your chances of standing out from other candidates. Try to remain positive about your chances of succeeding and take the following steps to make a good first impression and improve your chances:

• Research the company to find out as much as you can about what they do and who they serve. Compile questions that you can ask to demonstrate your interest.
• Compare the job requirements with your skills and experience. Be prepared to discuss how your unique background might fit their needs.
• Practice answers to common interview questions. Ask a friend to conduct a mock interview and provide feedback. Explore the free interview preparation options offered on websites like Pramp and Glassdoor.
• Be aware of nonverbal communication cues that can indicate interest. Maintain eye contact and a straight posture.
• Dress professionally with a neat appearance to demonstrate that you are taking the interview seriously.

Medical assistant salary in Texas

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 66,720 medical assistants currently working in Texas, making it the second largest state employer of medical assistants in the U.S. (after California). and their median annual salary The median annual salary for Texas medical assistants is $37,570, just under the national median of $42,000.

The breakdown among annual salary tiers for medical assistants in Texas looks like:

Increasing your earning potential

When projecting what you will earn as a medical assistant in Texas, remember that your salary will vary based on factors such as geographic location, place of employment, area of specialization, years of experience, education and many other factors.

However, you may boost your salary potential by earning professional certifications and acquiring experience. These professional credentials show you have mastered certain knowledge and skills.

You may find more competitive salaries if you acquire the skills that are in the highest demand. “Some of the most in-demand skills are billing and coding and X-ray tech certification, especially considering how many stand-alone ERs there are in Texas,” says Bogar.

Like most professions, medical assistants in larger metropolitan areas tend to earn the highest salaries. However, it may be worth investigating areas where medical assistants are in high demand.

“There is a demand for medical assistants in areas like the Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Amarillo and other areas in the south with the increasing influx of new people at the border. While these are not major metropolitan areas, they still have major medical facilities that collaborate with the other major medical facilities across the state,” says Bogar.

The potential for salary growth and advancement in medical assisting is limitless. Expanding your skills and increasing your education as you earn professional experience can make you more valuable and eligible for new roles.

Advancing your career

Your first job provides an opportunity for you to apply the skills and knowledge you acquired during your program. Having certain types of jobs can position you for long-term success.

Bogar advises that new students start in more generic areas and then venture out to specialties after they get their feet wet in the profession. Currently a certified breast cancer/oncology patient navigator, her 20-year career is evidence of the broad range of specialties available. She has worked in specialties including family practice, pediatrics, reproductive endocrinology, urology, gastroenterology, urogynecology, plastic surgery and surgical oncology.

“Medical assisting is not a stepping stone into nursing. People best suited for medical assisting make far better clinical supervisors and clinical leads than nurses since we are trained to look at both the administrative and clinical sides,” she says.

No matter what role you achieve, Bogar says it’s wise for medical assistants to keep their general skills and knowledge fresh while also staying abreast of changes in the profession. “Seize the opportunities when they arise to make sure that you keep the basic skill set. At the same time, make sure you’re doing continuing education to learn about new things that are coming forward,” she says.

Legal and ethical considerations for Texas medical assistants

While you may perform a wide range of tasks as a medical assistant in Texas, it’s important to understand the boundaries of the position. The provider is always responsible for the patient. This means that a medical assistant in Texas is prohibited from:

• Performing tasks that require them to make independent medical judgments
• Making clinical assessments, evaluations or interpretations
• Performing tasks that Texas state law permits only certain medical professionals to perform

The AAMA Code of Ethics for Medical Assistants establishes the ethical and moral code of conduct for medical assistants. Medical assistants 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’re intrigued by the broad range of tasks that medical assistants in Texas perform, starting a medical assistant program may be your next step. The liberal scope of practice for medical assistants in Texas can open the door to many types of clinical and administrative roles.

With growing demands on the healthcare system, medical assistants in Texas are well-positioned to seize opportunities in the long term. “Medical assisting is not just a stepping stone, it can be a career. More important, it’s actually a profession that, as time goes on, and with the national shortage of nurses, you are becoming more of an asset to that healthcare team,” says Bogar.

Published: January 25, 2024