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How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Medical Assistant?
The cost of hiring a Medical Assistant can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, experience, qualifications, and the specific terms of employment. Here are some key cost considerations:
Recruitment Cost
Expenses related to recruiting Medical Assistants can include job posting fees, background checks, drug tests, and any agency fees if you use a staffing agency for recruitment. These costs can vary based on the methods used for recruitment. Here’s a breakdown of the cost:
- Healthcare Job Boards: When using these job boards for posting your listing and accessing their platform, you pay a fixed amount. For instance, Health eCareers charges a fixed fee of $649 for a 30-day single job posting, whereas you may need to contact PracticeLink to know their pricing. Nurse.com charges a fee of $350 per job posting, while Hospital Careers charges a fee of $315 for a 30-day single job posting.
- Medical Assistant Associations: These associations charge a membership fee for accessing their platform. For instance, the membership fee of AAMA varies by state and starts from $77 per year. Alternatively, though AMT has no membership fee for employers, they charge $250 for a basic 30-day single job post.
Salary and Benefits
The most significant cost is the salary or hourly rate paid to the Medical Assistant. Salaries can vary by location, with higher costs of living generally leading to higher wages. The level of experience and qualifications of the Medical Assistant also influences their compensation.
The average salary of a Medical Assistant is $44,265 per year, which includes $1,733 per year of additional pay. This additional pay includes bonuses and incentives earned.
You may benefit their employees, which can add to the overall cost. Benefits may include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, retirement contributions, paid time off, and more. The specific benefits package offered can significantly impact the cost of hiring.
License and Certification Fees
If the Medical Assistant is required to maintain specific licenses or certifications, you may need to cover the cost of obtaining and renewing these credentials.
For instance, a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certificate costs $250 for non-members and $125 for AAMA members, whereas a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification costs $135.
On the other hand, the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification has a renewal cost of $179 every two years.
Uniforms and Supplies
The cost of uniforms and supplies for a Medical Assistant can vary depending on several factors, including the employer’s policies and the specific needs of the healthcare facility. Medical Assistants are typically required to wear scrubs or uniforms that meet the practice’s dress code and hygiene standards.
It’s important to budget for these uniform and supply costs when calculating the overall expenses associated with hiring a Medical Assistant.