How to Become an Urgent Care Medical Assistant

Learn About the Rewarding World of Urgent Care Medical Assisting.

Urgent Care Medical Assistants (MAs) work in many facilities across the country. Every year, over 200 million people go to urgent care in the United States. Thanks to physicians, nurses, and Medical Assistants, these people can receive the treatment they need to thrive. As the population ages and healthcare becomes increasingly specialized, medical facilities must seek highly trained and adaptable professionals to meet this demand.

Urgent care is exactly how it sounds, which means that Medical Assistants in these environments must be ready for whatever is thrown at them. Typically, you will find Urgent Care Medical Assistants in clinics or offices. The demand for these professionals has been steadily increasing in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue. The occupational security, job mobility, potential for career advancement, and excitement on the job make Urgent Care Medical Assisting a fulfilling career option for those in the healthcare system.

This blog post covers the growing demand for MAs in urgent care clinics and their essential role in providing patients with quality care. If you’re inspired by this dynamic career path, you can learn how to become a Medical Assistant and explore the best entry-level medical jobs to see if Medical Assisting is right for you.

Urgent Care Medical Assistant Definition

What is an Urgent Care Medical Assistant?

An Urgent Care Medical Assistant supports healthcare professionals who provide care to people with acute and chronic illnesses or injuries. They typically work in walk-in clinics that specialize in ambulatory care. They help ensure that patients receive immediate care for injuries or illnesses. In this role, they see patients who need immediate care but do not require a visit to the emergency room.

Medical Assistants play a vital role on the healthcare team. They assist other healthcare professionals in carrying out their responsibilities and promote positive healthcare choices and emotional support for their patients. Medical Assistants are often the first and last faces a patient will see during their visit.

Their duties include both administrative and clinical functions. Some administrative tasks range from scheduling medical appointments and ordering supplies to billing and bookkeeping responsibilities.

Urgent Care Medical Assistant Job Description

What Does an Urgent Care Medical Assistant Do?

An Urgent Care Medical Assistant is tasked with a range of administrative duties and clinical responsibilities that are essential to the healthcare system. In this position, they are responsible for helping nurses during the triage process, assisting physicians with minor procedures, and managing patient flow in high-pressure environments.

While a general MA has administrative and clinical duties, Urgent Care Medical Assistants live up to their name by completing tasks at a rapid pace or in an urgent care setting. They may assist patients by taking vital signs, removing stitches, changing bandages, giving medications, and sterilizing equipment. In addition, they often help the physician during physical exams and perform crucial diagnostic tests.

(Read our guide to learn What Does a Medical Assistant Do?)

Urgent Care Medical Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

Below are just some of the day-to-day responsibilities of an Urgent Care Medical Assistant:

• Taking patient vital signs and recording medical histories.
• Assisting other medical professionals with diagnostic tests and procedures.
• Administering medications and performing basic wound care.
• Collecting samples of bodily fluids for lab testing purposes.
• Managing patient records using electronic medical records (EMRs).
• Educating patients on proper care and next steps.

Urgent Care Medical Assistant Skills

Urgent Care Medical Assistants must maintain a diverse set of skills and qualities to thrive in their fast-paced roles. Here’s a look at some of these key attributes:

• Adaptability and Flexibility: While it may seem obvious, the nature of an Urgent Care MA’s job means that they must be resilient and adaptable. They must also maintain composure in the face of critical situations and multitask with the best of them. It takes a special kind of person to flourish in this fast-paced but rewarding environment.

• Strong Communication Skills: Effective communication with patients, families, and fellow healthcare professionals is crucial for optimal care and ensuring patient safety. This is especially important when it comes to collaborating with a multidisciplinary healthcare team in stressful situations.

• Clinical Expertise and Tech Savviness: Medical Assistants in this arena must maintain clinical expertise, i.e., they will likely need to know how to administer injections, electrocardiograms (EKGs), and venipuncture. In addition, proficiency with healthcare technologies is essential for efficiently managing patients in settings like urgent care.

• Organization and Time Management: Urgent Care MAs must manage a fast-paced workload with multiple responsibilities. Being well-organized and efficient with time is imperative for delivering quality care while supporting other members of the healthcare team.

• Stress Management: Given the demanding nature of healthcare, let alone taxing environments like walk-in clinics, Urgent Care Medical Assistants must effectively manage stress to maintain their own well-being and provide the best support possible.

Urgent Care Medical Assistant: Work Environment

Where Do Urgent Care Medical Assistants Work?

In general, Medical Assistants work in hospitals and outpatient clinics. They may also find employment in private practices. Medical Assistants benefit from a good amount of flexibility when it comes to the workplace. For instance, MAs who work in hospitals may thrive in departments like cardiology, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology.

Urgent Care MAs can work in a variety of healthcare facilities, offering a wide range of experiences and professional growth. Some of these facilities include outpatient clinics, walk-in centers, and urgent care facilities.

Education & Certification for Urgent Care Medical Assistants

How to Become an Urgent Care Medical Assistant

In the U.S., formal Medical Assistant training is not required by law. However, many employers will only consider applicants with training to minimize risk.

As a Medical Assistant, formal training also minimizes the risk to your patients and yourself.

Furthermore, Medical Assistant training may likely increase your chances of finding a job. Healthcare establishments typically want to employ the most qualified individuals, which is why they would prefer to hire MAs with formal training or certification. In this increasingly competitive field, formal MA training can better prepare you for your job and lead to greater job opportunities throughout your career.

Generally speaking, Medical Assistant diploma programs can be completed in a year or less. For instance, the Medical Assisting program at Unitek College can be completed in as little as 9 months.

(Read our guide to learn how to choose the best Medical Assistant program.)

Certification for Medical Assistants

Although certification is not always required, it can be very beneficial for your career. In this increasingly competitive field, certification can better prepare you for your job and lead to greater job opportunities throughout your career. Keep in mind that certified Medical Assistants are usually paid more than their non-certified counterparts.

If you’re interested in this specialization, you can seek certification with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). They currently offer the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). If you’d like to take the CCMA exam, you must have completed an approved MA program within the last five years, OR you must have completed one year of supervised work as a practicing Medical Assistant.

Alternatively, you could pursue the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential through American Medical Technologists (AMT). It’s also important that you obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification to safely work in urgent care settings. For instance, Unitek EMT offers a four-hour BLS course for healthcare professionals. It teaches people how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills.

Urgent Care Medical Assistant: Salary

How Much Do Urgent Care Medical Assistants Make?

Although the BLS doesn’t report salary data specifically for Urgent Care Medical Assistants, we can reference data for Medical Assistants to provide a general understanding of the average salaries. In 2023, the average annual wage for Medical Assistants was approximately $42,000 per year.

Salaries for Urgent Care MAs can vary significantly based on the employer, experience, and location. Areas with a higher cost of living or in-demand healthcare facilities may offer higher pay to attract medical professionals. Experience also plays a crucial role in determining a Medical Assistant’s pay. Seasoned professionals or those with specialized skills and certifications often command higher wages compared to those just starting in the field.

Urgent Care Medical Assistant: Job Outlook

What is the Job Outlook for Urgent Care Medical Assistants?

Although the BLS doesn’t report job outlook data for Urgent Care MAs, we can refer to the projected job growth for general Medical Assistants to provide insights into the growing demand for this profession. The BLS anticipates a 15% growth in employment for MAs from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

The aging population in the United States is contributing to a higher demand for healthcare services. As more individuals require medical care, the need for healthcare professionals continues to rise. Rural and underserved areas often face healthcare staff shortages. Seasonal fluctuations and unexpected events like the COVID-19 pandemic require a surge in healthcare staffing.

Your Journey into Medical Assisting Starts Here

In summary, this article sheds light on the exciting career path of an Urgent Care Medical Assistant. This specialization is in high demand due to factors like aging populations, healthcare disparities, and staff shortages. Urgent Care MAs help treat people who are in immediate need of care. They fill a vital role in healthcare and offer valuable support, which means that there is a great degree of job security for this profession.

Prospective Urgent Care MAs are encouraged to pursue educational pathways, gain clinical experience, and seek opportunities for professional growth. If you follow this path, you can find a career that makes a significant impact on people in times of crisis.

Are you interested in Medical Assisting? At Unitek College, we offer a Medical Assisting program that lays the groundwork for a fulfilling career. This hybrid program offers a unique blend of online instruction, hands-on lab exercises, and a comprehensive externship. In as little as 9 months, you can acquire vital skills to excel in both administrative and clinical roles. Through our program, you will be well-prepared for many of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this dynamic profession.

Join us today!