Medical Assistant Programs in Washington D.C.
The best way to obtain a medical assisting job in the District of Columbia is to become a certified medical assistant (CMA). Certification is not yet a requirement in order to obtain a job, but is highly preferred by most employers. Certification is gained by passing an exam given by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to take the exam, you need to complete either a certificate or diploma training program or earn an associate degree in medical assisting that has been accredited by the CAAHEP or ABHES. Your other option is to to get certified as a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), which is administered through the American Medical Technologists (AMT) organization. Eligibility for RMA certification requires graduation from a nationally accredited medical assistant school that offers a medical assisting program that provides at least 720 hours of medical assistant skills training including clinical hours. An associate degree in medical assisting requires two years of training, and a certificate or diploma medical assistant program just about nine months. There are a handful of medical assistant program locations in Washington DC and there are many online medical assisting programs providing a convenient and accredited option. Find the online programs listed below and a link to programs offered in surrounding states.
An accredited medical assistant program will provide you with a solid foundation in clinical skills that you will use on the job. These include assessing patients, taking vital signs, taking blood, collecting lab specimens, assisting nurses and physicians with procedures, and other technical tasks. Additionally, administrative and clerical skills will be covered, such as record keeping, billing, proper communication with patients, and protocol for dealing with insurance companies. Medical assistants require many skills in order to help an office or clinic run smoothly, and they are becoming increasingly important as technology enables ambulatory clinics to provide more medical care and as providers are seeking to keep costs down.
In addition to a very positive job outlook, a medical assistant job usually provides very good health benefits. The mean salary for a medical assistant in DC is around $30,000, according to salary.com. This can vary depending on experience and employer. The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing job sectors and medical assisting is projected to continue to grow rapidly through 2016. With advanced post-secondary education and experience, you could work toward becoming an office manager, or could become a more specialized medical assistant in a specific medical field. Take advantage of this opportunity and find an accredited training program today that can help get you on your way to becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA).
(Sources: AAMA, Bureau of Labor Statistics, District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, American Medical Technologists)
Online Medical Assistant Programs in DC
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 (CAAHEP) 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)
University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. University of Phoenix offers all of their programs in the online format.
Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | Gerontology, Health Admin, Health Care Admin, Health Care Informatics, Health Care Mgmt, Health Info Systems, Human Services/Mgmt, Long Term Care, Medical Records, Pharmacy Practice
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Online
