Medical Assistant Programs in Maryland
Becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA) in Maryland can be done in two simple steps that require less than two years of study. Certification is not legally required in Maryland to work as a medical assistant, but it is increasingly sought out by clinics, physicians’ offices, and hospitals. The first thing to do is to enroll in an accredited medical assistant program in Maryland. This must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). A medical assistant certificate program usually requires just under a year to complete. Alternatively, you could also pursue an associate degree in medical assisting for more advanced or specialized training. There are many medical assistant schools in Maryland offered through vocational training schools or community colleges, and there are medical assistant training programs available online as well.
Medical assistant programs in Maryland will cover both the administrative side as well as the clinical side of this job. A medical assistant needs to be able to perform many different tasks to help the office or clinic run smoothly and to efficiently assist the other heath professionals. Insurance billing, keeping track of medical records, making appointments, as well as taking patients’ vital signs, preparing them for procedures, taking blood, and assisting physicians with procedures are some of many tasks that a medical assist might attend to.
The final step to become a certified medical assistant is to register for the certification exam. This is given by the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Previous medical assistant training is a prerequisite for taking the exam as well as attending either an ABHES or CAAHEP accredited program/school. When you pass this, you are considered a certified medical assistant and entitled to use the title CMA. You are also ready to start your career in healthcare as a certified medical assistant in Maryland.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistant jobs are some of the fastest growing in the already booming healthcare industry. Healthcare is growing in all states to meet the needs of an expanding aging population. Additionally, medical support positions are growing because they are cost-effective for insurance providers and the quickest way to ensure that everyone gets the medical care they need. According to BLS, there were over 8.000 medical assistants working in the state of Maryland in 2008, and this number is growing. Maryland also had its own state chapter of the AAMA that can help you keep your healthcare career on track. Find a certification program right for you and get started on a career with a great outlook for the future.
(Sources: Bureau of Labor and Statistics, salary.com)
Medical Assistant Schools in Maryland
American Career Institute
After completing the medical assisting program at American Career Institute you will be prepared to work in a number of health care settings as a medical assistant. Start here by requesting information learn more.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding
Select a Campus to Learn More: Wheaton
Everest Institute - Silver Spring, MD
Everest Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award diplomas. ACICS is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education.
Programs Offered: Diploma - Medical Assisting
Select a Campus to Learn More: Silver Spring
Kaplan University
The medical assistant program at Kaplan Univeristy will provide you with training and hands on experience that you need and qualify you to apply for a job as a medical assistant. Graduates are eligible to become Certified Medical Assistants by passing the Certified Medical Assistant Examination.
Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's - Medical Assistant
Select a Campus to Learn More: Frederick, Hagerstown
Medix School - Landover
After completing the medical assisting program at Medix School you will be prepared to work in a number of health care settings as a medical assistant. Start here by requesting information from Medix School to learn more.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Biotechnician, and Dental Assistant
Sanford-Brown Institute
SBI is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which is national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Start training now for a rewarding health care career as a medical assistant.
Programs Offered: Certificate - Medical Assisting
Select a Campus to Learn More: Landover
TESST College of Technology
After completing the medical assisting program at the TESST College of Technology, you will be prepared to take the registered medical assistant (RMA) exam and work as a medical assistant. Start here by requesting information from TESST to learn more.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician
Select a Campus to Learn More: Baltimore, Beltsville, or Towson
Medical Assistant Schools Offered Online in Maryland
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)

