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The number of Dallas medical jobs for assistants will grow rapidly in the coming years.

Medical assistants perform various administrative and clinical tasks that help health facilities run smoothly. On the administrative side, they may schedule appointments, maintain medical records, write up bills, and code for insurance purposes.

When performing clinical duties, medical assistants must work under the supervision of a physician. They may be responsible for taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications. Take a look at this medical assistant job description for more info.

Most applicants for medical assistant positions have at least a high school diploma, and many opt to take a one or two year training program resulting in a certificate or associate's degree. Regardless of the education they gain, most candidates will learn the majority of what they need to know through on-the-job training.

There were about 483,600 medical assistants throughout the nation during 2008, and that number is expected to grow by 34 percent - much faster than the average growth rate anticipated for all industries - by 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

About 62 percent of employees work in physicians' offices; while 13 percent work in public and private hospitals; 11 percent work in other health practitioners' offices; and the remainder work in other healthcare industries.

Dallas is expected to add 2,750 medical assistant jobs, an increase of 52.4 percent, by 2016. There will be about 65 openings per year due to replacement and about 280 openings per year due to job growth, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

Employment throughout Texas is anticipated to grow from 34,800 workers during 2006 to 53,500 workers by 2016, resulting in 18,700 jobs and an overall increase of 53.7 percent. There will be about 430 openings per year due to replacement and about 1,879 openings per year due to job growth.

The top industries that employ medical assistants in Dallas include:

• Offices of physicians - 62.72 percent
• Offices of other health practitioners - 9.6 percent
• General medical and surgical hospitals - 8.04 percent
• Offices of dentists - 5.11 percent
• Specialty hospitals, except psychiatric and substance abuse - 3.5 percent
• Outpatient care centers - 2.31 percent

During 2009, the average wage for medical assistants in Dallas was $15.06 per hour, while the average wage throughout Texas was $12.99 per hour and the average wage across the nation was $14.16 per hour.

Labels: Dallas medical jobs