Medical Assistant Schools

Becoming a medical assistant can be an extremely versatile and rewarding job. Medical assistants are indispensable to keeping a medical office running smoothly. One of the main components of the position is performing administrative tasks, such as scheduling patients' upcoming appointments and ensuring all necessary paperwork is completed. Other times, medical assistants can complete more clinical duties, such as taking a patient's blood pressure and other vital stats, confirming a patient's medical history, or providing clarification on medicines and tests ordered by the physician. read more [+]

The health care industry is full of exciting career paths and choices that bring challenges and opportunities to compassionate individuals who desire to improve the health and wellness of people. Finding the right career path takes investigation, through education, training, and career assessment, of the field that best suits the individual. The medical assistant field is one of those challenging yet rewarding fields that offer those serving both administrative and clinical exposure to a medical environment. Schooling and specialized training is required from an accredited institution but once the medical assistant programs have been completed and students have graduated, employment in a medical setting can be achieved successfully.

Medical assistants typically perform both administrative and clinical duties that keep the physician’s office or medical facility running smoothly. Typical clinical duties of a medical assistant include the preparation of patient examinations, recording vital signs, and gathering medical histories from patients. The clinical duties vary from state to state, depending on the laws that govern medical assistants. Most medical assistant programs offered in each state clearly specify and train students to be able to operate properly under state law. Administrative duties may include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, billing, answering phones, and routine office tasks.

Once a student graduates from one of the many medical assistant schools in the country, specific skills have been obtained to enable students to enter the workforce as a medical assistant. Skills needed for a successful career as a medical assistant include laboratory techniques, pharmaceutical principles, medical terminology, first aid and CPR, medication administration, and routine diagnostic procedures. These skills are taught in school as well as a variety of other courses that may be required by such medical assistant programs. Class work and studies may include anatomy, physiology, insurance processing, recordkeeping, transcription, and even keyboarding.

The career path of a medical assistant can vary depending on the choices and desires of the individual. With a little additional training from one of the medical assistant schools, some medical assistants go on to teach medical assisting to enrolled students. Teaching medical assistant programs to students can be a rewarding career choice. Some medical assistants go on to pursue a nursing degree or licensing in another health care field. Whatever desires the individual may have regarding their career path, the door is open in this lucrative field.

Medical assistant programs open the door to opportunity. Successful graduates enter into a career that provides an opportunity for continued education while satisfying the need and desire to serve. The job outlook for medical assistants is good, and the employment rate is expected to grow due to the increasing demands and need for health care services.

Browse Medical Assistant Schools schools by State:

AB | AK | AL | AR | AZ | BC | CA | CO | CT | DC | DE | FL | GA | HI | IA | ID | IL | IN | KS | KY | LA | MA | MB | MD | ME | MI | MN | MO | MS | NC | NE | NH | NJ | NM | NV | NY | OH | OK | ON | OR | PA | QC | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VA | WA | WI | WV | WY

Recommended Schools

Kaplan College

Diploma, Associate
Diploma: Medical Assistant: The Registered Medical Assistant program includes instruction in both the clinical and administrative aspects of medical assisting, anatomy and physiology, and CPR certification. Students have the opportunity to practice the skills they learned in class during their externship. Graduates of this program may perform duties in both the administrative and clinical areas of a doctor's office, clinic, or other medical facilities.
Other programs available at Kaplan College: Associate of Applied Science: Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science: Medical Assisting
Texas, California, Nevada, Colorado, Indiana, Wisconsin, Washington, Ohio, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina

Kaplan Career Institute

Associate, Certificate, Diploma
Associate in Specialized Technology: Medical Assistant: The objective of our medical assistant program is to provide the knowledge, technical skills, and work habits required for entry-level positions as a medical assistant. The curriculum includes computer technology and word processing to make you more marketable to employers. Prior to graduation, you will be required to complete an externship program at a local clinic, physician's office, hospital, health maintenance organization (HMO), or other allied health facility where you may also find job opportunities.
Other programs available at Kaplan Career Institute: Diploma: Medical Assisting, Diploma: Medical Assistant, Associate in Specialized Business: Medical Assisting
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Michigan, Massachusetts

Platt College

Associate
Medical Assisting
California

Ultimate Medical Academy

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Florida

Other Medical Assistant Schools

ATI Career Training Center

Diploma, Associate
Medical Administrative Assisting Technology: Medical Administrative Assisting Technology program is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions using their skills in such areas in hospitals, doctor offices, insurance companies, clinics and other medical facilities.
Other programs available at ATI Career Training Center: Medical Assisting (MA), Medical Assisting, Medical Assisting Technology (MA)
Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Florida

Dover Business College

Diploma
Medical Assistant
New Jersey

Texas School of Business

Diploma
Diploma: Medical Assistant
Texas

Hesser College

Diploma, Associate
Associate of Science: Medical Assistant: Our medical assistant program prepares you to become a key member of a medical team. You can train to assist physicians in health care management and provide medical services. By gaining administrative and clinical skills through your education, you could increase your chances of choosing where you would like to work.
Other programs available at Hesser College: Diploma: Medical Assistant
New Hampshire

Keiser University

Associate
Medical Assisting, AS, Occupational Therapy Assistant, AS
Florida

American Career Institute

Certificate
Medical Assisting: The Medical Assistant program consists of 600 hours of classroom training and a 300 hour externship performed at a medical clinic or doctor's office. The program teaches front office administrative duties and back office laboratory procedures. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the skills required for employment in a doctor's office or medical clinic as a medical assistant.
Other programs available at American Career Institute: Medical Assistant
Maryland, Massachusetts

The Bryman School of Arizona

Associate
Medical Assistant
Arizona

Southeastern Institute

Certificate
Medical Assisting
South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina

Keiser University eCampus Online

Associate
Medical Assisting, AS (Online)
Online School

Empire College

Associate, Diploma
Medical Assisting
California

Daytona College

Associate
Medical Assisting: Students are prepared to apply for entry-level employment as a front or back office medical assistant in a healthcare facility. Students are trained to carry out clinical procedures such as vital signs, routine office-lab procedures, basic office diagnostic procedures, EKG, preparing the patient for physical exams and assisting the physician with those exams and to apply health-illness-health concepts.
Other programs available at Daytona College: Associate of Science - Medical Assisting
Florida, Online School

Blue Cliff College

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant
Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas

Northwestern College

Associate
Medical Assisting
Illinois

Chattanooga College

Diploma
Medical Assisting
Tennessee

Keystone Technical Institute

Associate, Diploma
Medical Assistant: To train students to assist physicians, as well as, to handle some office and basic lab test responsibilities. This is a comprehensive program designed to prepare assistants in the medical field. Students are encouraged to develop a professional attitude and a genuine desire to serve humanity.
Other programs available at Keystone Technical Institute: Medical Assistant Specialist
Pennsylvania

Globe University

Diploma, Associate
AAS in Medical Assisting: Are you ready for a career as a medical assistant? Are you a compassionate person who enjoys working with people of all ages? Do you want to make a difference in patient's lives? As a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), you will be an allied health professional, a member of a highly professional medical team.
Other programs available at Globe University: Medical Assisting Diploma
Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota

The Salter School

Certificate
Medical Assisting
Massachusetts

Westwood College

Diploma
Diploma - Medical Assisting
Texas

Southwestern College

Coursework
Medical Assisting
Ohio, Kentucky

Branford Hall Career Institute

Certificate
Medical Assistant
Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts

IntelliTec Medical Institute

Associate, Certificate
Medical Assistant
Colorado

Lansdale School of Business

Associate
Medical Assisting
Pennsylvania

Lincoln Technical Institute

Coursework
Medical Assisting
Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida

First Institute

Certificate
Medical Assistant
Illinois

Sullivan University

Diploma, Associate
Clinical Assistant, Medical Assisting
Kentucky

Mayfield College

Certificate
Medical Assistant
California

Harris School of Business

Certificate
Professional Medical Assistant: This program is designed to provide students with strong foundations in patient care procedures and theory, medical office administration and communication skills necessary for thorough, successful integration into any medical office.
Other programs available at Harris School of Business: Medical Assistant
New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania

Penn Foster College

Associate
Medical Assistant
Online School

Medical Careers Institute

Associate
Medical Assisting - Associate
Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina

Salter College

Certificate, Associate
Medical Assisting
Massachusetts

YTI Career Institute

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant
Pennsylvania

Florida Technical College

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant Technician: The Medical Assistant Technician diploma program is designed to prepare students to obtain entry level employment as a medical assistant technician. This program offers students the opportunity to learn the necessary knowledge and skills both in the classroom and in a supervised clinical practice.
Other programs available at Florida Technical College: Medical Assistant
Florida

National American University Campus

Associate
Medical Assisting: National American University's Medical Assisting program utilizes a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions, as well as an externship following completion of required course work. Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical duties in a physician's office or other outpatient care settings within the scope of specific training and state law, and in accordance with assignments by a physician.
Other programs available at National American University Campus: A.A.S. Medical Assisting
New Mexico, Minnesota, Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, Texas

MedVance Institute

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, Texas

Pioneer Pacific College

Associate, Diploma
Medical Assisting AAS, Medical Assisting Diploma, Medical Assisting with Limited X-Ray AAS, Medical Assisting with Limited X-Ray Diploma
Oregon

Florida Technical College - Jacksonville

Associate, Diploma
Medical Assistant, Medical Assistant Technician
Florida

Kaplan University

Associate, Certificate
Associate of Applied Science: Medical Assisting, Certificate: Medical Assistant
Iowa, Nebraska, Maine, Maryland

Medix

Certificate
Medical Assisting
Maryland

Seacoast Career Schools

Certificate
Medical Assisting
Maine, New Hampshire

AmeriTech College

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Utah

Ashworth College

Coursework, Diploma
Medical Office Assisting
Online School

Career Point College

Associate, Diploma
AAS in Medical Assistant: The AAS in Medical Assistant degree program provides a combination of academic theory through general education courses and technical skills through technical courses that are necessary for today's medical office environment. Graduates will demonstrate "front office" and "back office" skills enabling them to function effectively with clinical and administrative duties.
Other programs available at Career Point College: Medical Assistant
Texas, Oklahoma

Herzing University

Diploma, Associate
Diploma Medical Assisting: The introduction of students to the overall operation of the physician's office is the basic objective of this program. Students are trained to assist the physician in the examination room, to perform routine laboratory procedures and to handle financial records, correspondence, insurance forms and other administrative functions.
Other programs available at Herzing University: AS in Medical Assisting
Wisconsin, Alabama, Florida, Ohio, Minnesota

Medix College

Certificate
Medical Office Assistant, Medical Assisting
Georgia

Fortis Institute

Certificate, Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant, Medical Assistant Technician, Medical Assisting
Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, South Carolina

Herzing University Online

Diploma, Associate
Diploma in Medical Assisting, AS in Medical Assisting (Online), Diploma in Medical Assisting (Online)
Online School

South Texas Vocational Technical Institute

Diploma
Medical Administrative Assisting Technology, Medical Assisting
Texas

Prism - PJA Campus

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Pennsylvania

Broadview University

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant, Diploma in Medical Assistant, Associate in Medical Assistant
Utah

Elmira Business Institute

Certificate, Associate
Medical Office Assistant, Medical Assisting
New York

Southern Careers Institute

Certificate
Medical Assistant
Texas

Fox Institute of Business

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Connecticut, New Jersey

Charter College

Certificate, Diploma
Medical Assistant, Certificate Medical Assistant
Alaska, California, Washington

Southern Technical College

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assisting (Diploma), Medical Assisting
Florida

The College of Westchester

Certificate, Associate
Medical Assistant Specialist, Medical Assistant
New York

Prism Career Institute

Diploma
Medical Assistant
New Jersey

Milan Institute

Diploma
Medical Assisting, Administrative Medical Assistant
California, Texas, Idaho, Nevada

Southwest Florida College

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant, Diploma - Medical Assistant, A.S. - Medical Assistant
Florida

King's College

Associate
Medical Assisting
North Carolina

Rasmussen College

Associate, Diploma
Medical Assisting Associates Degree, Medical Assisting Diploma
Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota, Illinois

Minneapolis Business College

Associate
Medical Assistant
Minnesota

Florida Career College

Associate, Diploma
Associate's Degree - Medical Assistant, Diploma - Medical Assistant, Diploma - Medical Assistant Technician
Florida

Minnesota School of Business

Associate, Diploma
Medical Assistant
Minnesota

Hallmark College

Certificate, Associate
Medical Assistant
Texas

International Business College - Indianapolis

Associate
Medical Assistant
Indiana

Robert Morris University

Associate
Medical Assisting
Illinois

Wood Tobe-Coburn School

Associate
Medical Assisting
New York

Antonelli College

Associate
Medical Assisting
Mississippi

Computer Career Center

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting
Texas, New Mexico

International Business College - Fort Wayne

Associate
Medical Assisting
Indiana

Harrison College

Certificate, Associate
Medical Office Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Assisting with Functional Spanish
Online School, Indiana

Jones College

Associate
Medical Assistant
Florida

Summit Career College

Certificate
Medical Assistant - Administration and Clinical
California

Mildred Elley

Certificate, Associate
Medical Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant
New York, Massachusetts

Career College of Northern Nevada

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant (Diploma), Medical Assistant
Nevada

Pittsburgh Technical Institute

Associate, Certificate
Medical Assisting, Medical Assistant
Pennsylvania

UEI College

Certificate, Diploma
Medical Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant
Florida, California, Georgia

Fortis College

Diploma, Associate, Certificate
Medical Assistant Technician, Medical Assisting, Administrative Assisting - Medical, Medical Assistant
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Utah, Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, Alabama, Arizona, South Carolina

Brookline College

Diploma
Diploma - Medical Assistant
Arizona, New Mexico

The PJA School

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Pennsylvania

Southern Career College

Associate, Diploma
Medical Assistant, Medical Assistant Technician
Florida

Argosy University

Associate
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Assisting
Minnesota

Brown Mackie College

Diploma, Associate, Certificate
Associate of Science in Medical Assisting: The Medical Assisting program prepares graduates to work under the direction of physicians in a private practice or medical setting. Students develop a solid foundation in communication and problem solving skills through general education coursework.
Other programs available at Brown Mackie College: Diploma in Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting, Certificate in Medical Assistant
Kansas, Ohio, Missouri, Idaho, Indiana, Arizona, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Oklahoma, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas

Everest Institute

Diploma
Medical Assisting (Diploma)
Michigan, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Minnesota, Florida, Maryland, Oregon

Everest College

Diploma, Associate
Diploma - Medical Assisting : A career as a medical assistant offers many advantages and opportunities. Because of their specific skills and training, medical assistants are an indispensable part of a healthcare team, and opportunity for career advancement continues to expand as the need for their services grows.
Other programs available at Everest College: Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting
Utah, Missouri, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, Virginia, Arizona, Nevada, California, Texas, Illinois, Indiana

South College Asheville

Associate
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting
North Carolina

Texas Careers

Diploma
Diploma: Medical Assistant
Texas

Provo College

Diploma, Associate
Diploma in Medical Assisting, Associate of Science in Medical Assisting
Utah

CDI College

Diploma
Medical Office Assistant
British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Ontario

Porter and Chester Institute

Certificate, Diploma
Medical Assisting
Connecticut, Massachusetts

University Canada west Academies

Certificate
Medical Office Assistant
British Columbia

South University - Campus

Associate
Associate of Science in Medical Assisting
South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia

Bauder College

Certificate, Associate, Diploma
Certificate: Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science: Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science: Medical Assisting, Certificate: Medical Assisting
Georgia

Vancouver Career College

Diploma
Medical Office Assistant
British Columbia

Meridian Career Institute

Certificate, Associate
Medical Assistant, Medical Assisting
Florida

Gibbs Schools

Associate
Medical Assisting
Massachusetts, Connecticut

St. Louis College of Health Careers

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Missouri

Vatterott College

Associate, Diploma
Advanced Medical Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Assistant Specialist, Medical Office Assistant, Medical Assistant Technology, ...
Nebraska, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa

Andover College

Associate
Associate of Applied Science: Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science: Medical Assisting
Maine

Eagle Gate College

Diploma, Associate
Diploma in Medical Assisting, Associate of Science in Medical Assisting
Utah

Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology

Certificate, Diploma, Associate
Diploma: Medical Assisting, Associate of Applied Science: Medical Assisting
Ohio

Academy of Healing Arts

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Nevada

CHI Institute

Diploma, Associate
Diploma: Medical Assistant: This short-term (8-month program) will prepare students to become essential members of the medical team. Students will gain administrative and clinical skills, and be prepared to work in private practices, clinics, health maintenance organization, nursing homes or hospitals.
Other programs available at CHI Institute: Occupational Associate in Specialized Technology: Medical Assisting, Diploma: Medical Office Assistant
Pennsylvania

Vista College

Certificate
Medical Assisting
Utah

Omaha School of Massage Therapy

Diploma, Associate
Diploma in Medical Assisting, AS in Medical Assisting
Nebraska

Lincoln College of Technology

Coursework
Medical Assisting
Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Nevada

Reeves College

Diploma
Medical Office Assistant
Alberta

Anthem Institute

Diploma
Medical Assistant
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Nevada

Everest University

Associate
Medical Assisting
Florida

Algonquin Careers Academy

Diploma
Medical Office Assistant
Ontario

Colorado Technical University

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assisting
Colorado, South Dakota, Missouri

Career Centers of Texas

Diploma
Diploma: Medical Assistant: The Registered Medical Assistant program includes instruction in both the clinical and administrative aspects of medical assisting, anatomy and physiology, and CPR certification. Students have the opportunity to practice the skills they learned in class during their externship. Graduates of this program may perform duties in both the administrative and clinical areas of a doctor's office, clinic, or other medical facilities.
Other programs available at Career Centers of Texas: Diploma: Medical Assistant
Texas

Tri-State Business Institute

Associate
Medical Assisting Specialist
Pennsylvania

Allied College

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant
Missouri

Tri-State Institute

Associate
Medical Assisting Specialist
Alabama

TESST College of Technology

Certificate, Diploma
Certificate: Medical Assistant
Maryland

Thompson Institute

Diploma
Diploma: Medical Assistant
Pennsylvania

All-State Career - Healthcare Division

Diploma
Medical Assisting
Pennsylvania, Maryland

Anthem College

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant
Arizona, Missouri, Georgia, Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin

National College

Diploma, Associate
Diploma - Medical Office Assistant, AS - Medical Assisting
Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana, West Virginia

American Career College

Certificate
Medical Assistant
California

Medix School

Diploma, Certificate
Medical Office Assistant, Medical Assisting
Ontario, Maryland

Fox College

Associate
Medical Assisting
Illinois

CDM Institute

Certificate
Medical Assistant
New Jersey, Delaware

MedTech College

Associate
Medical Assistant
Indiana, Kentucky, District of Columbia

Berdan Institute

Certificate
Medical Assisting
New Jersey

Newbridge College

Diploma
Medical Assistant
California

High-Tech Institute

Diploma
Medical Assistant, Medical Assistant - Diploma
Minnesota, Missouri, Texas, California, Nevada, Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin

American Institute School of Health Careers

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Florida

Illinois School of Health Careers

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Illinois

Bradford School

Associate
Medical Assisting
Ohio, Pennsylvania

Institute of Business & Medical Careers

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant
Colorado, Wyoming

Angley College

Associate
Medical Assisting
Online School

Goodwin College

Associate
Medical Assisting
Connecticut

Akron Institute

Associate, Diploma
AAS in Medical Assinting, Diploma in Medical Assisting
Ohio

City College

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assisting - Diploma, Associate Degree - Medical Assisting
Florida

Spencerian College

Diploma
Medical Assistant, Clinical Assistant
Kentucky

Omega Institute

Certificate
Clinical Medical Assistant
New Jersey

Trillium College

Diploma
Medical Office Assistant
Ontario

Mountain State University

Associate
Medical Assisting
Online School

Suburban Technical School

Certificate
Medical Assistant
New York

Allied Health Careers a division of Capital City School

Associate, Diploma
Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting, Medical Assisting
Texas

Concorde

Diploma, Associate
Medical Assistant, Medical Assisting
Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, California, Florida, Missouri

Medical Technology Institute

Certificate
Medical Assistant
New Jersey

National Career College

Diploma
Medical Assisting, Blood Withdrawal
California

Heald College

Associate
Medical Assisting
Hawaii, California, Oregon

Coyne College

Diploma
Medical Assistant
Illinois

National Career Institute

Certificate
Clinical Medical Assistant with Externship
New Jersey

Blake Austin College

Certificate
Administrative Medical Assistant
California

National Institute of Technology

Associate
Medical Assisting
Ohio

Casa Loma College

Diploma
Medical Assistant
California

Carrington College California

Certificate, Associate
Medical Assisting
California

Carrington College

Diploma, Certificate, Associate
Medical Assisting, Medical Assistant /Limited X-Ray
New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada

San Joaquin Valley College

Certificate, Associate
Clinical Medical Assisting
Online School, California

Alpine College

Certificate
Medical Assistant
Washington

Northeast Technical Institute

Diploma
Medical Office Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant
Maine, Massachusetts

Medical Assistant Salaries

Employment summary:

people employed: 495970 people
yearly change: +20020 people (+4%)
workforce fraction: 0.4% (1 in 263)
median wage: $28650 per year (US dollars per year)
median wage yearly change: +$350 per year (US dollars per year) (+1%)
50% range: $(24060 to 33760) per year
80% range: $(20750 to 39970) per year
(2009 data)

Related occupations:

people employedmean wage
dental assistants294020 people$34000 per year
medical equipment preparers47070 people$29780 per year
medical transcriptionists82810 people$33350 per year
pharmacy aides52230 people$22330 per year
veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers71350 people$23400 per year
all other healthcare support workers188850 people$31340 per year

Standard occupational classification information:

SOC code: 31-9092
SOC parent occupation: miscellaneous healthcare support occupations

Employment history:

Other Community and Technical Colleges

next >

Arizona College of Allied Health

4425 W Olive Avenue Suite 300, Glendale, 85302
Telephone:(602) 222-9300
http://www.arizonacollege.edu

Eastern Arizona College

615 N. Stadium Ave., Thatcher, 85552
Telephone:(928) 428-8322
http://www.eac.edu

Phoenix College

1202 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, 85013
Telephone:(602) 264-2492
http://www.pc.maricopa.edu

Pima Community College

401 North Bonita Avenue, Tucson, 85709
Telephone:(520) 206-4500
http://www.pima.edu

California College of Vocational Careers

2822 F St - Ste L, Bakersfield, 93301
Telephone:(661) 323-6791
http://www.cacvc.com

Charles A. Jones Skills and Business Education Center

5451 Lemon Hill Ave, Sacramento, 95824
Telephone:(916) 433-2600 x1011
http://www.scusd.edu

Mt Diablo Adult Education

1266 San Carlos, Concord, 94518
Telephone:(925) 685-7340 x2744
http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/adulted

North-West College-Pasadena

530 E Union, Pasadena, 91101
Telephone:(626) 796-5815
http://www.north-westcollege.com

North-West College-Riverside

10020 Indiana St, Riverside, 92503
Telephone:(951) 351-7750
http://www.north-westcollege.com

Arapahoe Community College

5900 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, 80160
Telephone:(303) 797-4222
http://www.arapahoe.edu
next >

Studying Medical Assisting

Medical assistants typically perform both administrative and clinical duties that keep the physician’s office or medical facility running smoothly. Although the clinical duties vary from state to state, depending on the laws that govern medical assistants, typical responsibilities include: read more [+]

  • Preparing patient examinations
  • Recording vital signs
  • Gathering medical histories from patients

Most medical assistant programs offered in each state clearly specify and train students to be able to operate properly under state law. Administrative duties may include:

  • Greeting patients
  • Scheduling appointments
  • Billing
  • Answering phones
  • Routine office tasks

Once a student graduates from one of the many medical assistant schools in the country, specific skills have been obtained to enable students to enter the workforce as a medical assistant. Skills needed for a successful career as a medical assistant include laboratory techniques, pharmaceutical principles, medical terminology, first aid and CPR, medication administration, and routine diagnostic procedures. These skills are taught in school as well as a variety of other courses that may be required by such medical assistant programs. Class work and studies may include anatomy, physiology, insurance processing, recordkeeping, transcription, and even keyboarding.

The career path of a medical assistant can vary depending on the choices and desires of the individual. With a little additional training from one of the medical assistant schools, some medical assistants go on to teach medical assisting to enrolled students. Teaching medical assistant programs to students can be a rewarding career choice. Some medical assistants go on to pursue a nursing degree or licensing in another health care field. Whatever desires the individual may have regarding their career path, the door is open in this lucrative field.

Medical assistant programs open the door to opportunity. Successful graduates enter into a career that provides an opportunity for continued education while satisfying the need and desire to serve. The job outlook for medical assistants is good, and the employment rate is expected to grow due to the increasing demands and need for health care services.

Average Costs

Many educational institutions provide medical assistant training, including universities, community colleges, trade schools, and online training programs. The costs will vary depending on the type of school that is chosen.

Universities

Medical assistant programs at universities often have the highest cost. The University of Alaska at Anchorage is one example offers an Associate's of Applied Science degree in medical assisting. The degree requires 60 credit hours of university level courses. Resident tuition is $134 per credit hour, making the total tuition cost over $8,000. Other student fees for a full-time student run $280 per semester, over $1,000 in total. Textbooks can average between $50 and $100 per book, adding another $1,000 or more to the education cost.

Trade Schools

Trade schools are also a more affordable option for those seeking a medical assistant school education. Gwinnett Technical College in Georgia offers a diploma program in medical assisting. This program requires the completion of eighty-three credits. A full time student will pay $565 per quarter for twelve or more credits. If the program is completed in six quarters, the total tuition would run nearly $3,400. Other fees are much lower than at a university, and textbook fees are similar to that of a university.

Online

Online medical assistant schools may save the student money. Their big draw is that they are more convenient. Some online programs are certificate programs and only last a few weeks. These programs offer a certificate rather than a degree. Be careful when signing up for online programs, because many of them are not professionally certified. Make sure that a school is certified by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, before signing up with an online medical assistant school.

Certification

Career opportunities are much greater and salaries much higher for those with the formal medical assisting degree rather than a certificate alone. After graduating with a degree a prospective medical assistant will need to complete an externship. The final step for the soon-to-be medical assistant is the completion of a professional examination. This exam is called the Certified Medical Assistant Certification Exam, and is offered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants. The exam fee ranges from $125 to $250.

Average costs of medical assisting schools vary, but the cost should not be the primary factor in deciding which school to attend. Look for an accredited medical assisting program, complete an externship, and pass the Certified Medical Assistant Certification Exam. The medical assisting field is large and growing. Career satisfaction and salary are bound to be higher for those who spend the necessary time and money on the best career preparation.