Medical Assistant Training Programs in Massachusetts

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Becoming a certified medical assistant in Massachusetts can be done in one to two years, and requires some training and the passing of an exam. Becoming a certified medical assistant is not a requirement in the state to work as a medical assistant, but it is highly recommended in order to be more competitive. More and more clinics, physicians, and hospitals are seeking candidates for medical assistant positions who are certified.

The first step is to choose the best Medical Assistant program in Massachusetts for you. Many vocational schools, community colleges and junior colleges offer medical assistant programs, and there are online medical assisting program options as well. You could also pursue an associate degree in medical assisting for even more specialized training in the field. Medical assistant training will cover many skills in both the administrative parts of the job as well as the clinical part. A medical assistant has many different responsibilities. You will need to effectively communicate with patients, insurance companies, other healthcare workers, and manage medical records and office organization to help everything run smoothly. They will also be performing clinical tasks such as taking blood, assessing patients, taking their vital signs, preparing them for procedures, educating them about procedures, or assisting physicians. A good medical assistant training program will teach you to do all of these things as well as provide you with a background in basic medical terminology, pharmacology, and some anatomy. It is important that you choose a medical assistant program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

The second step is to take the certification exam, which is a computer-based, multiple-choice test given by the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). You must have completed or be near completing a certified training program in order to register for the exam. Once you pass this, you are ready to pursue your career in healthcare. The outlook for medical assistants is excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that medical assistants are some of the fastest growing jobs in healthcare.

There were over 11,900 medical assistants working in Massachusetts in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, earning a mean annual salary of $34,370. The salary will vary but will also increase with experience, added responsibility, and specialized training and duties. Massachusetts also has six state chapters of the American Association of Medical Assistants that can help you stay connected and current in your field.
(Sources: AAMA, Salary.com, Bureau of Labor and Statistics)

Medical Assistant Degree Programs in Massachusetts

Branford Hall Career Institute

Upon graduation from the medical assisting program at Branford Hall Career 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: Diploma - Medical Assisting, Health Claims Specialist, Massage Therapy

Select a Campus to Learn More: Springfield

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Everest institute

Everest Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Request information to learn more.

Programs Offered: Medical Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant, and Dental Assistant

Select a Campus to Learn More: Brighton or Chelsea

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Kaplan Career Institute

The Medical Assistant Diploma program at Kaplan is designed to provide the knowledge, and skills required for entry level positions as a medical assistant in a variety of health care settings.

Programs Offered: Diploma - Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding

Select a Campus to Learn More: Boston

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Lincoln Technical Institute

Lincoln Technical Institute offers a medical assistant program which will help prepare you for a rewarding career in health care. Learn more by requesting information below.

Programs Offered: Medical Assisting, Medical Administration - Billing and Coding

Select a Campus to Learn More: Brockton (Southern MA), Lowell (Lower MA/NF), Somerville (Boston area)

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Salter College

Salter College offers a Certificate and an Associate's in Medical Assisting. Request information to learn more about this and Salter College's's other health care programs.

Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's - Medical Assisting - Diploma or Associate's

Select a Campus to Learn More: West Boylston

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Salter Schools

The Medical Assisting Programs at Salter Schools prepare the students for a career in the medical field by providing hands on career training in allied health care as well as several other fields. Request information to learn more about their programs.

Programs Offered: Diploma - Medical Assistant, Health Claims Specialist, Medical Billing and Coding, and Massage Therapy

Select a Campus to Learn More: Fall River, Malden, New Bedford, or Tewksbury

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The Career Institute of American International College

Upon completion of all classes in the program, you will participate in an externship and obtain practical experience under the supervision of a cooperating physician's office, clinic, or other health care facility. (Program includes CMAA, CCMA certifications.)

Programs Offered: Medical Assisting - Master Certificate

Select a Campus to Learn More: Braintree, Cambridge, Framingham, Springfield, or Woburn

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Schools Offering Online Medical Assistant Programs in Massachusetts

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

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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

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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

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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)

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