Medical Assistant Schools in Illinois
The first step toward becoming a certified medical assistant in Illinois is to earn a certificate or associate degree in medical assisting, or at least to gain some vocational training in the field. While it is not legally required to obtain a license or certificate to work as a medical assistant in the state, becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA) will give you a competitive edge in the job market and a major advantage on the job in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. Increasingly, more and more employers are seeking candidates who have passed the national certification examination, which requires completion of an accredited medical assistant educational program. Below you will find Medical Assistant programs in Illinois.
There are many medical assistant training programs throughout Illinois that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Choose a program accredited by the CAAHEP or ABHES if you would like to take the certified medical assistant exam later on. Find these accredited medical assistant programs listed below. It usually takes nine months to complete a medical assistant program and close to two years if you earn and associate degree in medical assisting. Medical assistant program instruction covers basic clinical training as well as administrative training. Medical assistants are the basic connection between physicians and their patients, as well as physicians and other healthcare workers. There are many skills to learn in order to fulfill this role responsibly. They learn how to conduct some technical procedures, such as taking vital signs and taking blood. Students might learn about human anatomy, pharmacology, medical terminology, as well as proper procedures for communicating with insurance companies, patients, billing, and record keeping. Passing the certification exam is the final step. This is given by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants.
The mean salary for a medical assistant in Illinois is usually between $22,000 and $32,000. It is higher in more urban areas, especially in Chicago, Peoria, and Springfield. As with most positions, experience, employer, and location can affect your salary. The outlook for medical assistants is very good, as the healthcare industry in general is growing at a rapid pace to meet the needs of a growing aging population. Statistically, the most openings for this position are located in the biggest towns and cities. Relative to population, Peoria, Danville, and Springfield have the highest number of positions. Support staff like medical assistants will be in demand even more as healthcare providers look to operate facilities in the most cost-efficient manner possible. Additionally, Illinois Society of Medical Assistants has many chapters throughout the state that offer professional assistance and networking and job listings. Make the first step toward this career by finding a certified medical assistant training program that is right for you and get started on a promising career in the growing healthcare field.
Medical Assistant Programs in Illinois
Brown Mackie College
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Diploma, Medical Assistant - Associate's
Select a Campus to Learn More: Moline
1527 47th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265
Everest College
The North Aurora, Burr Ridge and Skokie programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Medical Assistant
Select a Campus to Learn More: Skokie, Burr Ridge, Chicago, North Aurora, Merrionette Park
First Institute
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant -Certificate, Medical Office Specialist - Certificate
Select a Campus to Learn More: Crystal Lake
Fox College
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting - Diploma, Medical Assisting - Associate's
Select a Campus to Learn More: Midway Campus
Illinois School of Health Careers
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Diploma
Select a Campus to Learn More: Ohare, Loop
Lincoln College of Technology
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting
Select a Campus to Learn More: Melrose Park (Chicago Area)
Northwestern College
The Medical Assisting program at the Chicago campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting - Associate of Applied Science
Select a Campus to Learn More: Bridgeview, Chicago, Naperville
Sanford-Brown College
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Diploma
Select a Campus to Learn More: Collinsville
Vatterott College
Programs Offered: Medical Assistant - Diploma, Medical Assistant - Associate's
Select a Campus to Learn More: Quincy
Online Medical Assistant Programs Offered in Illinois
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)
