MEDICAL ASSISTANT (MA)
Community Health Worker (CHW)
Medical Assistant (MA)
Position Summary
A CHW is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. [1]
Medical assistants are cross-trained to perform administrative and clinical duties. Duties can include but are not limited to: aseptic procedures, blood withdrawal and non-intravenous injections, administering basic first aid, collecting routine laboratory specimens, performing basic laboratory procedures, and performing general administrative duties. [6],[7]
Position Summary
Community Health Worker (CHW)
A CHW is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. [1]
Medical Assistant (MA)
Medical assistants are cross-trained to perform administrative and clinical duties. Duties can include but are not limited to: aseptic procedures, blood withdrawal and non-intravenous injections, administering basic first aid, collecting routine laboratory specimens, performing basic laboratory procedures, and performing general administrative duties. [6],[7]
Training and Prerequisites
- Completion of an approved CHW Training Program by the SD Department of Social Services. [2]
- The CHW Agency process will include the process utilized to hire individuals qualified to act as a CHW following certification that the individual has completed the Indian Health Service Community Health Representative basic training, a CHW program approved by the South Dakota Board of Technical Education or the South Dakota Board of Regents, or a CHW training program approved by the State. [3]
- Schools offering Medical Assistant training: Globe University, National American University, Lake Area Technical Institute, Mitchell Technical Institute, and Presentation College. [8]
- High School Diploma or GED required. [6]
- Medical assistants who do not have postsecondary education certificates learn their skills through on-the-job training. It can take several months for an assistant to complete training, depending on the facility. [9]
Training and Prerequisites
Community Health Worker (CHW)
- Completion of an approved CHW Training Program by the SD Department of Social Services. [2]
- The CHW Agency process will include the process utilized to hire individuals qualified to act as a CHW following certification that the individual has completed the Indian Health Service Community Health Representative basic training, a CHW program approved by the South Dakota Board of Technical Education or the South Dakota Board of Regents, or a CHW training program approved by the State. [3]
Medical Assistant (MA)
- Schools offering Medical Assistant training: Globe University, National American University, Lake Area Technical Institute, Mitchell Technical Institute, and Presentation College. [8]
- High School Diploma or GED required. [6]
- Medical assistants who do not have postsecondary education certificates learn their skills through on-the-job training. It can take several months for an assistant to complete training, depending on the facility. [9]
Certificates/Licensure
- No certificate or license is required in SD.
- Registered with the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners or South Dakota Society of Medical Assistants for medical assistant certification. [6]
- Optional certification includes Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA). [9]
Certificates/Licensure
Community Health Worker (CHW)
- No certificate or license is required in SD.
Medical Assistant (MA)
- Registered with the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners or South Dakota Society of Medical Assistants for medical assistant certification. [6]
- Optional certification includes Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA). [9]
Typical Supervisors
- CHWs are primarily supervised by a clinic manager, nursing manager, or other organizational manager. [5]
- Supervised by physicians, physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners, or nurse midwives. [6]
Typical Supervisors
Community Health Worker (CHW)
- CHWs are primarily supervised by a clinic manager, nursing manager, or other organizational manager. [5]
Medical Assistant (MA)
- Supervised by physicians, physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners, or nurse midwives. [6]
Median Hourly Wage (National)
[4],[8]
- Community Health Worker (CHW) – $20.19
- Medical Assistant (MA) – $17.23