Medical Assistant Programs in Louisiana
In order to become a trained medical assistant in Louisiana, you should pursue a certification program or associate degree. Certification or licensing is not legally required to work as a medical assistant in the state of Louisiana, but gaining this extra training would better prepare you for your job and give you a competitive edge in the job market. Additionally, more and more healthcare employers are viewing this elective training as necessary.
You can become a certified medical assistant (CMA) either by completing a one-year certification program or by earning a two-year associate degree. Both are offered at a few different technical and community colleges in the state. Online courses are also an option. Just be certain that the program you choose is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). You can find a list of current accredited programs at the website for the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). CMA programs will provide training in administrative skills as well as clinical skills. Medical assistants have varied duties and will need to competently handle record keeping, billing, medical coding, and effectively communicate with patients, insurance companies, and other healthcare workers. Clinical training is also taught in these programs. Some of the duties that they need to be prepared for include taking vital signs, explaining treatment, helping physicians during exams, explaining procedures to patients and preparing them for exams, and taking electrocardiograms. Once you have completed this training, you are qualified to take the certification exam. Passing that exam enables you to begin your job search as a CMA.
There were over 4,500 medical assistants working in Louisiana in 2008, and the outlook for growth in this area is very good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants are among the fastest growing professions. Louisiana as a state has many organizations that are working hard to keep their rural healthcare system connected, up to date, and efficiently caring for its aging population. The mean salary is $24,700, although this will increase with experience and will also vary based on place of employment and duties. Find the right accredited program for you to get started on your CMA training and your career in healthcare.
(Sources: American Association of Medical Assistants, Bureau of Labor and Statistics)
Medical Assistant Training Programs in Louisiana
American Commercial College
American Career College in Shreveport is accredited by ACICS as a branch campus of ACC in Abilene, TX.
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Medical Office Specialist, Health Information Billing/Coding, Medical Records Transcriptionist
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Shreveport
Blue Cliff College
Blue Cliff College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Careers Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Alexandria, Houma, Metarie, Shreveport
Career Technical College
The Career Technical College Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Shreveport, Monroe
Herzing University
Herzing University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: New Orleans
Medvance Institute
MedVance Institute offers a number of training programs to help you start your new career in the exciting field of health care.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding Specialist, Emergency Management Specialist, Radiologic Technology
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Baton Rouge
Remington College
Remington College, Baton Rouge Campus is an accredited member of the Baton Rouge Accrediting Commission on Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assistant, Medical Insurance Coding, Pharmacy Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport
Medical Assistant Programs Offered Online in Louisiana
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)
