Medical Assistant Jobs in Atlanta: How to Get Hired and Where to Start

If you’re looking for medical assistant jobs in Atlanta, you’re in a strong healthcare market with many options—from large hospital systems to small neighborhood clinics. This guide walks you through what medical assistants do in Atlanta, where the jobs are, what employers look for, and practical steps to land a position.

What Medical Assistants Do in Atlanta

Medical assistants (MAs) in Atlanta work in a mix of clinical and administrative roles, often in:

• Primary care and family medicine practices
• Specialty clinics (cardiology, orthopedics, OB/GYN, dermatology)
• Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics
• Hospital-based outpatient clinics

Typical duties include:

Clinical tasks:

• Taking vital signs and recording medical history
• Preparing patients for exams
• Assisting providers with procedures
• Collecting lab specimens and performing basic tests
• Administering injections (if allowed by employer policy and state regulations)

Administrative tasks:

• Scheduling appointments
• Updating electronic medical records
• Handling phone calls and messages
• Processing referrals and prior authorizations
• Managing front-desk check-in and check-out

In Atlanta, many employers want medical assistants who are comfortable switching between front and back office depending on daily needs.

Where the Medical Assistant Jobs Are in Atlanta

Atlanta’s healthcare system is anchored by several large networks and a wide range of independent practices. Common MA employers include:

Major Hospital and Health Systems

These systems often have multiple clinics around metro Atlanta, with centralized job listings:

• Emory Healthcare – outpatient clinics, specialty centers, and hospital-based practices across the city
• Piedmont Healthcare – Piedmont Atlanta Hospital area and neighborhood clinics throughout the metro
• Wellstar Health System – facilities in and around Cobb, Douglas, and greater Atlanta
• Grady Health System – Grady Memorial Hospital downtown and community health centers
• Northside Hospital – strong presence in north metro and women’s health services

These organizations frequently post entry-level MA positions plus roles for more experienced medical assistants in specialties.

Community Health Centers and Public Clinics

Community health centers around Atlanta often hire medical assistants who are interested in serving diverse and underserved populations, including:

• Fulton County Board of Health – public health clinics across the county
• DeKalb County Board of Health – similar roles just east of Atlanta
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) located in various neighborhoods

These settings can give you broad experience with a variety of conditions and patient needs.

Private Practices and Specialty Clinics

Across areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, and the Westside, you’ll find:

• Family medicine and internal medicine practices
• Pediatrics and women’s health
• Orthopedic, cardiology, GI, dermatology, and oncology clinics

Specialty practices may prefer MAs who already have experience or training related to that field, but many still hire motivated entry-level candidates.

Urgent Care and Retail Clinics

Urgent care centers and retail-based clinics around Atlanta (often near major shopping areas or busy intersections) frequently need MAs who are:

• Comfortable with fast-paced environments
• Able to handle both clinical support and front-desk tasks
• Willing to work evenings, weekends, and holidays

Typical Requirements for Medical Assistant Jobs in Atlanta

While each employer is different, many Atlanta medical assistant jobs ask for:

• High school diploma or GED
• Completion of a medical assistant program (often 9–18 months)
• Certification or registration (preferred or required by many employers)
• Basic computer and electronic health record (EHR) skills
• CPR/BLS certification (commonly required, check employer details)

Common Certifications Employers May Look For

Many Atlanta employers list one or more of these as preferred:

• CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) – from the AAMA
• RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) – from AMT
• CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) – from NHA
• NCMA (National Certified Medical Assistant) – from NCCT

Certification requirements vary by employer, but having a recognized certification can improve job prospects and starting pay.

Training and Education Options in the Atlanta Area

If you’re just starting out, Atlanta has multiple ways to train as a medical assistant.

Community & Technical Colleges

Public schools in and around metro Atlanta often offer diploma or certificate programs in medical assisting. Programs typically include:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Medical terminology
• Clinical procedures and phlebotomy basics
• Administrative skills and medical office procedures
• Externships in local clinics

These programs are designed to prepare you for entry-level work and national certification exams.

Private Career Schools

Atlanta also has career colleges and training institutes focused on healthcare support roles. These may offer:

• Day, evening, or weekend schedules
• Accelerated programs
• Career services support such as resume help and interview prep

Before enrolling, it’s helpful to verify:

• Program accreditation
• Certification eligibility after graduation
• Local employer recognition of the program

Adult Education and Workforce Development

If you need support with career changes, funding, or basic education, consider contacting:

• Atlanta Workforce Development Agency / WorkSource Atlanta
  • 818 Pollard Blvd SW
  • Atlanta, GA 30315
  • Phone: 404-546-3000

They may provide information on workforce training programs, possible tuition assistance, and job placement support for healthcare roles, including medical assisting.

How to Find Medical Assistant Jobs in Atlanta

1. Search Major Job Boards and Health System Sites

Use job search platforms and go directly to Atlanta health system career pages. When searching, try terms like:

• “Medical assistant Atlanta GA”
• “Certified medical assistant”
• “Clinical medical assistant”
• “Back office MA” or “front office medical assistant”

Filter by neighborhoods or ZIP codes if you prefer specific parts of the city, such as 30303 (downtown), 30309 (Midtown), or 30305 (Buckhead).

2. Connect with Local Hospitals and Clinics

Many large systems hold career fairs and hiring events in metro Atlanta. Common locations for events include:

• Hospital education centers
• Community centers and hotel conference spaces
• Technical college campuses

Check health system career pages or call human resources departments to ask about upcoming events.

3. Work with Staffing and Temp Agencies

Healthcare-focused staffing agencies in Atlanta sometimes place medical assistants in:

• Physician offices
• Outpatient clinics
• Specialty practices

Temp-to-hire roles can be a way to gain experience and get your foot in the door with a well-known employer.

4. Leverage School Career Services

If you’re attending or recently finished a local MA program:

• Ask about externship-to-hire pathways
• Join resume workshops and mock interviews
• Request introductions to clinics that regularly hire graduates

Many Atlanta employers build long-term relationships with nearby schools and turn to them first for new hires.

Skills Atlanta Employers Want to See

Beyond formal training, employers across Atlanta often look for:

• Strong communication skills with patients from diverse backgrounds
• Bilingual abilities, especially English–Spanish, which can be a plus in many areas
• Reliability and punctuality, especially in high-volume practices
• Comfort with EHR systems, scheduling software, and email
• Teamwork and flexibility, since clinics may be short-staffed at times

Soft skills—such as empathy, calm under pressure, and professionalism—often matter as much as technical skills in hiring decisions.

Typical Work Settings and Schedules in Atlanta

Medical assistant schedules vary, but many Atlanta positions offer:

• Day shifts in primary care and specialty clinics (often Monday–Friday, with occasional late evenings)
• Extended hours and weekend shifts in urgent care and walk-in clinics
• Full-time, part-time, and PRN (as-needed) roles

Traffic in Atlanta can be heavy, so when you look for jobs, consider:

• How close the clinic is to where you live
• Access to MARTA or bus lines if you use public transit
• Parking availability for early or late shifts

Pay Expectations and Growth Potential

Pay for medical assistants in Atlanta typically reflects:

• Level of experience
• Certifications held
• Type of employer (large health system vs. small practice)
• Specialty (e.g., cardiology, orthopedics, oncology often pay more than some general clinics)

Many MAs in Atlanta use the role as a long-term career or as a stepping-stone into:

• LPN or RN programs
• Nursing or medical school
• Practice management or office management
• Specialized roles such as phlebotomy or patient care coordination

How to Make Your Application Stand Out in Atlanta

Here are practical steps to increase your chances of getting hired:

Polish Your Resume for Atlanta Employers

• Highlight clinical skills (vital signs, injections where allowed, EKGs, lab tests)
• List EHR systems you’ve used (for example, Epic, Cerner, or others)
• Emphasize externships or volunteer work in Atlanta healthcare settings
• Include certifications with full names and dates

Tailor Your Cover Letter

Address local details when possible:

• Mention why you want to work in Atlanta’s healthcare community
• Reference neighborhoods or populations you’re interested in serving (for example, downtown patients, seniors, pediatrics)
• Explain briefly how your background fits the specific clinic type (family practice vs. specialty)

Prepare for Atlanta-Style Interview Questions

You may be asked about:

• How you handle busy clinic days with back-to-back patients
• Experiences with Atlanta’s diverse patient population
• Situations where you handled a difficult patient or tight schedule
• Your comfort level with commuting and schedule flexibility

Bringing a current list of professional references and copies of certifications to in-person interviews can leave a positive impression.

Helpful Local Contacts and Next Steps

Here are some local resources that can support your search for medical assistant jobs in Atlanta:

Georgia Board of Medical Examiners (via Georgia Composite Medical Board)
– For questions about scope of practice and regulations that may affect medical assistants

• 2 Peachtree St NW, 36th Floor
• Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone: 404-656-3913

WorkSource Atlanta – Workforce and career assistance

• 818 Pollard Blvd SW
• Atlanta, GA 30315
• Phone: 404-546-3000

Local Community & Technical Colleges Career Offices

• Often provide job listings, local employer contacts, and resume help for recent MA graduates

Simple Atlanta Medical Assistant Job Search Checklist

Focusing your search on Atlanta’s hospital systems, community clinics, and private practices, building recognized skills and certifications, and using local resources such as WorkSource Atlanta can significantly improve your chances of landing a medical assistant job in the city.