The Garden State is growing fast! Nearly 550,000 Americans work as medical assistants throughout the country, including tens of thousands of people in New Jersey. 

If you want to make a difference while making money, you should become a medical assistant. However, medical assistant jobs in New Jersey can be a little tricky. Before you start applying for jobs, you need to understand what they are like. 

Who are medical assistants, and what do they do? Where do they work, and how can you find jobs? What are some current openings in New Jersey?

Answer these questions and you can take your first step toward a great medical job in New Jersey today. Here is your quick guide.

The Basics of Medical Assistant Jobs in New Jersey

Medical assistants help doctors, therapists, and other medical professionals in a variety of settings. Each medical assistant job is different, so you should read the job description for your position closely. 

In general, medical assistants act as administrative professionals. They record patients’ information, including their history and lab results. They may make records with the information they collect and send documents to medical companies. 

Assistants also run basic tests. They may take blood from a patient’s arm and measure their vital signs. They may stitch wounds, change dressings, and prepare patients for X-rays. 

Some medical assistants specialize in a line of medicine. Ophthalmic assistants help patients remove and insert their contact lenses. A podiatric assistant can make a foot casting and prepare X-ray images. 

Medical assistants are different than physician assistants. Physician assistants examine and diagnose patients with help from a physician. 

The Medical Assistant Job Outlook in New Jersey

The job outlook for medical assistants nationwide is strong. The Department of Labor estimates that the employment of medical assistants will grow by 16% between 2021 and 2031. This means that roughly 123,000 new openings for medical assistants will be available every year. 

In New Jersey, employment is expected to grow by 24% between 2020 and 2030. This means that approximately 2,770 new jobs will be open to the public every year. 

The medical assistant job salary can vary depending on your experience and responsibilities. The median wage was $37,190 in May 2021. Most assistants work full-time, but you can find part-time jobs. 

The Department of Labor does not estimate where exactly these jobs will be located. Many medical companies in New Jersey have offices in and around urban areas. If you live in a rural area, you may need to travel for work in order to get a job. 

Settings for Medical Assistants

Most medical assistants work in doctor’s offices and hospitals. Nearly every hospital has a team of medical assistants. Some assistants are generalists while others help with certain departments. 

Keep in mind that you can work at private and public hospitals. Private hospitals tend to be smaller than public ones. Public hospitals accept most forms of insurance, so you will work with more types of patients at public institutions.

However, you can find jobs at outpatient centers. You will help patients who do not require overnight stays at hospitals. They need less help, but you still need to know how to run tests and use the center’s software.

You can find a few types of jobs at colleges and universities. Most schools have teaching hospitals, and you can work as an assistant in them. You can also run classes and give seminars to medical students. 

Applying for Jobs

New Jersey does not require medical assistants to have certifications. However, getting a certificate can help you develop your skills and seem more qualified. You can take an online or in-person medical assistant certification class in or out of the state. 

A class may take a year or longer to complete. While you are studying, you should try to find work in medicine. This will help you build connections and develop your resume. 

You may be able to find a job as a medical assistant. Some doctor’s offices need administrative professionals to handle the paperwork and phone calls. If you cannot find a job, try to volunteer at a hospital or senior care facility. 

Once you get your certification, you can start applying for jobs as a medical assistant. Focus on entry-level jobs that require low levels of experience. Even if you have a lot of experience, employers may not feel you are qualified for management jobs. 

New Jersey Job Options

It is okay to prioritize job openings in your area. However, you have more opportunities if you are willing to look for jobs in several parts of the state. Try looking in various regions and be willing to commute to work. 

Newark has many hospitals that are looking for medical assistants. Saint Michael’s Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel, and Mount Sinai Health System are currently looking for assistants. Each of these institutions needs generalists as well as assistants who specialize in services like blood transfusions. 

Jersey City has smaller organizations. You can work at Carepoint Health, Englewood Health, and other companies. If you want to work as a remote assistant, AtlantiCare is currently looking for remote assistants. 

Finding Medical Assistant Jobs in New Jersey

Medical assistant jobs in New Jersey let you work with patients directly. You can run tests and handle administrative tasks. Thousands of jobs will be available over the next few years. 

Most medical assistants work in hospitals, physician’s offices, and outpatient centers. To increase your chances of finding a job, you should take classes and be open to working in different cities. Most jobs are in Newark and Jersey City.

The more training you have, the more medical jobs you can apply for. Phlebotomy Career Training provides terrific medical assistant classes. Find a program today.  

Nancy Kimmel, PhD MSN FNP-BC

Nancy L. Kimmel obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2002, then went on to teach Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University, Henry Ford College and Oakland University. She obtained her Associate in Nursing from Henry Ford College and then went on to earn her Master Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and became Board Certified working as a licensed FNP in the State of Michigan. She then went on to Medical School where she is now in her 3rd year, and is also in the process of obtaining her Doctorate in Nursing Practice through Chamberlin University. She has authored the NET Study Guide, as well a several books on subjects of Math, ECG/EKG and Phlebotomy. She holds a patent on an Air Filter through the U.S. Patent Office.