Medical Assistant Programs in Alaska
Becoming a medical assistant in Alaska can be done in as little as a year. While the state does not officially require a license or certification in order to work, becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA) would give you a head start in your job search.
There are several accredited medical assistant schools in Alaska. The medical assistant programs require about a year of training, and an associate degree can be earned in two years. Whichever program you choose, it should be accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) if you plan to later pursue taking the certified medical assistant exam administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Completing a medical assisting program accredited by one of these two agencies is an eligibility requirement to sit for the certified medical assistant exam.
The medical assistant programs in Alaska will provide you with technical and clinical knowledge as well as clerical and administrative skills. You will learn how to communicate with insurance companies, deal with patients, and learn about basic procedures like record keeping and billing. Additionally, you’ll learn some clinical skills, medical terminology, basic anatomy, and skills such as assessing patients, taking vital signs, taking blood, and other tasks that would assist the nurses and physicians and enable them to see more patients in less time. Some Alaska programs also offer training for medical coding or other more advanced skills.
The job of medical assistant is one of the fastest growing occupations in an already, fast-growing healthcare industry, with about thirty new openings a year, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Because a majority of medical assistants work in doctors’ offices, you do not need to live near a major hospital or clinic to find employment as a medical assistant. In rural Alaska, they often work for regional health corporations, community-based healthcare programs, and state or federal agencies. With experience, advancement to office manager or other administrative support position is possible. According to salary.com, the mean hourly wage in Alaska for medical assistants is $15.27, with a yearly salary of $31,770, and health benefits are often very good. Get started today on a promising career for you in your state by finding the right medical assistant training program.
Medical Assistant Programs in Alaska
Charter College
After completing the medical assisting program at Charter College you will be prepared to work in a number of health care settings as a medical assistant. Start here by requesting information from Charter College to learn more.
Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's - Medical Assistant, Medical Office Administration
Select a Campus to Learn More: Anchorage, Wasilia
Medical Assistant Schools Offered Online in Alaska
Kaplan University - Online
The Kaplan University Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting degree program will prepare you online to become a professional medical assistant. It will also qualify you to seek national certification and licensing. The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board (CRB) of the American Association of Medial Assistants Endowment (AAMAE). Graduates are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam, given by the American Association of Medical Assistants; or the Registered Medical Assistant exam, offered by the American Medical Technologists.* Recognized in all states.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, and Pharmacy Technician
Herzing University Online
The Diploma and Associate's in Medical Assisting programs offered by Herzing University Online are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which means graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Graduates are also eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam administered by the American Medical Technologist Association (AMT).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's, Bachelor's | Medical Assisting, Health Care, Health Information Management, Medical Billing & Insurance Coding, Medical Office Administration
Keiser University - E-Campus Online
At Keiser University, students are trained to care for patients and learn to perform tasks such as the preparation of exam rooms, taking vital signs, assistance with minor surgical procedures, giving injections, lab operations, X-Rays and much more. MA's are also trained to perform administrative tasks that deal with insurance companies, patient billing, records, appointments, and supply ordering. Students receive hands on clinical training at a health care facility in their community. The program at Keiser University is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which means graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Graduates are also eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant Exam administered by the American Medical Technologist Association (AMT).
Programs Offered: AA in Medical Assisting
San Joaquin Valley College
The online Clinical Medical Assisting program at SJVC offers training that combines classroom instruction with laboratory experience to create an ideal opportunity for students not only to to learn, but to understand how to put to use what they have learned in a clinical setting. Upon completion of the certificate or Associate's programs, students are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant Exam.
Programs Offered: Clinical Medical Assisting Certificate (Online) or Clinical Medical Assisting Associate's Degree (Online)
