Medical Assistant Programs in Idaho
You can become a qualified candidate for a medical assisting career in less than a year, and get started on a rewarding career in the booming healthcare sector. The key is training to become a certified medical assistant (CMA) and then passing the certification exam. Certification is not legally required in Idaho to work in medical assisting, but it is increasingly becoming preferred by hospitals, clinics and offices alike.
The first step is to undertake a certification program by an accredited school. These are available both online and in community and junior colleges and vocational and training schools throughout Idaho. In fact, colleges in the state are adding programs to meet the needs of the hospitals and workforce. Certification training courses usually take nine months to a year. Alternatively, you can pursue an associate degree over two years.
Once you have completed your training, you are able to take the certification exam, given by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). This training or some work experience is a prerequisite in order to take the exam. When you pass this, you will have a competitive edge in the job market as a CMA, and a head start on your career, ready to work in public or private hospitals, outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, or specialists’ offices, such as podiatrists or chiropractors.
CMA training will cover many areas, as the duties in medical assisting are very broad. Medical assistants might have more varied responsibilities in smaller offices, or more specialized duties in larger practices or in hospitals. Either way, a good medical assistant will need to be able to cross over from taking care of administrative and clerical duties to assisting with technical procedures. All medical assistants need to understand billing, record keeping, medical coding, and have good communication skills for dealing with patients, insurance companies, and other medical professionals. Clinical training will also cover many areas, such as anatomy, physiology, phlebotomy, pharmacology, first aid, and medical terminology.
The mean salary for a medical assistant in Idaho is $30,750, with the salary closer to $25,000 in the east Idaho non-metropolitan areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were over 1,500 medical assistants working Idaho in 2008, and the outlook for the job in this state is excellent. The healthcare sector is growing rapidly and Idaho is working hard to obtain and retain workers to meet the healthcare needs of the growing aging population. Additionally, medical support positions are some of the fastest growing professions and are projected to continue growing at a rate of 35% through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Advancement opportunities include becoming an office administrator or specializing in a certain area of medicine. This is a great opportunity to obtain a job with good benefits, security, and a future. Find the right training program to get you there, today.
Medical Assistant Programs in Idaho
Apollo College
Each of the Apollo College campuses is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant
Select a Campus to Learn More: Boise
Brown Mackie College - Boise
The Brown Mackie College programs are accredited by the ACICS.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting - Associate's, Medical Assistant - Diploma
Select a Campus to Learn More: Boise
Milan Institute
Upon graduation from the medical assisting program at Milan Institute you will be prepared to operate in administrative and clinical capacities in a health care environment. Start training now for a rewarding career as a medical assistant.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting
Select a Campus to Learn More: Boise, Nampa
Stevens-Henager College
The Stevens-Henager Campuse in Boise is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
Programs Offered: Medical Specialties - Associate's
Select a Campus to Learn More: Boise
Medical Assistant Programs Offered Online in Idaho
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
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)
Programs Offered: AA in Medical Assisting
Herzing University
The Herzing University Online Medical Assisting program is Accredited by the ABHES and 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). This Medical Assisting program can be completed in 12 to 20 months.
Programs Offered: AS 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)
