Working as a Medical Assistant in Pasco, WA
As a Medical Assistant in Pasco, Washington, you help your patients better understand their conditions, take care of their health, and get through appointments and procedures. You are also an important member of the healthcare team, helping doctors, nurses, and specialists in the exam room and the front office. Whether you work at a large facility like Lourdes Health or a private physician practice in Pasco, you can feel good about the work you do and be confident that your skills will be needed in the future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 17,000 Medical Assistants in Washington, with hundreds of jobs in the Pasco area. The BLS projects that employment of Medical Assistants will grow much faster than average over the next decade.
Credentials for Pasco Medical Assistants
You must have a credential to become a Medical Assistant in the State of Washington, but you can choose the level—either registered or certified. What’s the difference? As a Certified Medical Assistant, you have a broader scope of practice than a Registered Medical Assistant, and your certification isn’t tied to your facility. That means that you can start a new job at a different hospital or doctor’s office without having to reapply for your credential.
Pasco Certified Medical Assistant Responsibilities
As a Certified Medical Assistant in WA, you have a wider range of duties than a Registered Medical Assistant. In addition to basic office administration and clinical duties, you can perform diagnostic exams, such as electrocardiograms and respiratory tests. You can administer single-dose medication and intravenous injections under the supervision of a health practitioner. Additionally, you can set up exam rooms for aseptic procedures, such as dialysis, and draw blood through a capillary puncture.
Where You Can Work in Pasco as a Medical Assistant
As a Medical Assistant, you can find employment in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, group practices, and long-term care facilities. In the Pasco area, there are facilities like Prosser Memorial Hospital, Good Shepherd Medical Center, and the Lourdes Medical Center. You might also find work at the Tri-Cities Community Health Clinic, the Miramar Health Center, and Kinwell Primary Care. No matter where your job is, you can make a difference in the Pasco community.
Expand Your Medical Assistant Responsibilities
If you want to take on more responsibilities, you can apply for two separate credentials in Washington: Medical Assistant-Hemodialysis Technician or Medical Assistant-Phlebotomist. With a Medical Assistant-Hemodialysis Technician certification, you can perform dialysis on patients with kidney failure. To qualify for this certification, you must complete training at a healthcare facility under the supervision of a registered nurse. The Medical Assistant-Phlebotomist certification allows you to draw blood and requires training under a health practitioner.
Renew Your WA Medical Assistant License
Your Washington Medical Assistant license expires every two years on your birthday, and it must be renewed within 90 days of that date. The cost to renew a certification is $145 and the cost to renew registration is $110. License renewal is an essential part of working as a Medical Assistant in Pasco.
Did you know that Washington is among the top-paying states for Medical Assistants? If you’re ready to start your career in Medical Assisting in Pasco, contact Charter College today. We offer a Certificate in Medical Assistant that can prepare you for entry-level work in Washington. Already have your Medical Assistant certification and ready for more? Charter College Pasco offers a Diploma in Phlebotomy that can prepare you for your certification exam by the Washington Department of Health. Our Medical Assistant program is offered in a blended learning format and can be completed in as few as 10 months. The Diploma in Phlebotomy program can be completed in as few as 10 weeks. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more.