Fact Sheet: Medical Assistants in New York State

As part of NYHealth’s Primary Care initiative, we are working toward strengthening the primary care workforce—including an enhanced, integrated role for Medical Assistants (MAs).

MAs are critical members of a primary care team who perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. MAs are often members of the communities they serve, so they are uniquely positioned to build relationships with patients—particularly patients of color and those from other historically marginalized groups—and earn their trust. The profession is expected to grow in New York State by 27% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than other health care occupations. Elevating the role of MAs could improve health outcomes, reduce clinician strain, and support equitable career advancement.

As part of our Primary Care workforce strategy, NYHealth is also working to strengthen the role of Community Health Workers. Learn more about Community Health Workers in New York State.

View the full fact sheet or download a PDF of the fact sheet.

References:

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 31-9092 Medical Assistants,” https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319092.htm, accessed March 2023.
2. New York State Department of Labor, “Long-term Occupational Projections,” https://dol.ny.gov/long-term-occupational-projections, accessed June 2023.
3. New York State Education Department, “Medical Assisting,” https://www.nysed.gov/career-technical-education/medical-assisting, accessed June 2023.
4. New York State Education Department Office of Professions, “Utilization of Medical Assistants,” https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/specialist-assistants/professional-practice/utilization-of-medical-assistants, accessed March 2023.
5. Ibid.
6. Declaring a Disaster Emergency in the State of New York. NY Exec Order No. 202. (March 2020). https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/EO_202.pdf
7. Authorization for Members of the Healthcare Provider Community to Conduct COVID-19 Vaccination Administration. NJ Exec Directive No. 20-037. (March 2020). https://www.state.nj.us/health/legal/covid19/ExecutiveDirectiveNo20-037_HCPVaccinationAuthorization.pdf.
8. An Act Allowing Medical Assistants to Administer Vaccinations. CT Senate Bill No. 213. (March 2022). https://www.cga.ct.gov/2022/fc/pdf/2022SB-00213-R000217-FC.pdf.
9. New York State Education Department Office of Professions, “Utilization of Medical Assistants,” https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/specialist-assistants/professional-practice/utilization-of-medical-assistants, accessed March 2023.
10. New York State Education Department, “Medical Assisting,” https://www.nysed.gov/career-technical-education/medical-assisting, accessed June 2023.
11. American Association of Medical Assistants, “CAAHEP and ABHES Accredited Programs,” https://www.aama-ntl.org/medical-assisting/caahep-abhes-programs, accessed May 2023.
12. New York State Department of Labor, “Occupational Wages,” https://dol.ny.gov/occupational-wages-0, accessed June 2023.
13. U.S. Census Bureau, “ACS 1-&ear Estimates Public Use Microdata Sample.” Data on age available at https://data.census.gov/mdat/#/search?ds=ACSPUMS1Y2021&vv=%2aAGEP%281%3A99%29&cv=SEX&rv=ucgid,OCCP%283645%29&wt=PWGTP&g=0400000US36, accessed June 2023.
14. New York State Department of Labor, “Wages and Employment by Occupation for New York State and Regions: Medical Assistants (319092),” https://dol.ny.gov/occupational-wages-0, accessed June 2023.
15. U.S. Census Bureau, “ACS 1-Year Estimates Public Use Microdata Sample,” Data on sex available at https://data.census.gov/mdat/#/search?ds=ACSPUMS1Y2021&cv=SEX&rv=ucgid,OCCP%283645%29&wt=PWGTP&g=0400000US36, accessed June 2023.
16. U.S. Census Bureau, “ACS 1-Year Estimates Public Use Microdata Sample,” Racial demographics available at https://data.census.gov/mdat/#/search?ds=ACSPUMS1Y2021&cv=RAC1P&rv=ucgid,OCCP%283645%29&wt=PWGTP&g=0400000US36. Ethnicity demographics available at https://data.census.gov/mdat/#/search?ds=ACSPUMS1Y2021&rv=HISP,ucgid,OCCP%283645%29&wt=PWGTP&g=0400000US36, accessed June 2023.
17. New York State Department of Labor, “Industry Employment by Occupation in New York State: Medical Assistants,” https://dol.ny.gov/staffing-patterns, accessed June 2023.
18. Thom DH, Hessler D, Willard-Grace R, DeVore D, Prado C, Bodenheimer T, Chen EH. (2015). Health Coaching by Medical Assistants Improves Patients’ Chronic Care Experience. American Journal of Managed Care, 21(10).
19. Willard-Grace R, Chen EH, Hessler D, DeVore, Prado C, Bodenheimer T, Thom DH. (2015). Health Coaching by Medical Assistants to Improve Control of Diabetes, Hypertension, and Hyperlipidemia in Low-Income Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Annals of Family Medicine, 13 (2).