Medical Assistant Training Programs in Pennsylvania
You can become a certified medical assistant (CMA) in Pennsylvania in one to two years. Certification is not legally required, nor is any formal training. Some medical assistants are able to train on the job. However in order to be competitive for medical assistant job openings, you will need to become certified as more and more healthcare employers are requiring this. In order to become a CMA, you will need to enroll in an accredited training program and then pass the certification exam. You will find the medical assisting training programs offered in Pennsylvania listed below.
Medical assistant training can be completed in as little as nine months, or closer to two years, if you choose to pursue an associate degree in medical assisting. For certification purposes, it is important to choose a training 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 Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification requires graduation from a nationally accredited school, which can be found below in addition to the ABHES and CAAHEP accredited programs. There are over two dozen accredited programs in Pennsylvania currently, although you can check their website for changes or additions. Distance learning is also an option along when accompanied by an internship. The online medical assisting programs listed below hold CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation, check them out.
Certification training will cover many skill sets, including both the clerical and the clinical side of the job. Good medical assistants need to be able to complete many different tasks to help an office, outpatient clinic, or hospital run well. You will be responsible for making appointments, dealing with insurance companies, record keeping, medical coding, and communicating with patients and other staff. Medical assistants can also undertake a variety of technical tasks. CMAs in smaller offices may have more responsibilities than those in larger offices or hospitals. These can include taking blood, assessing patients’ vital signs, administering medications, assisting physicians with procedures, preparing patients for procedures, explaining procedures, instructing patients about medications, preparing lab specimens, or sterilizing medical instruments, to give just a few examples.
The final step toward becoming a CMA is to take the exam given by the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once you pass the exam, you will have a competitive edge in your job search and a head start on your career. This computer-based, multiple-choice exam is now offered year round and in many locations. It requires advanced registration and a fee, and proof of completion or near completion of an accredited training program.
The mean annual salary for a medical assistant in Pennsylvania in 2008 was $27,540, and the mean hourly rate was $13.24. This will vary based on employer and location and will increase with experience. The outlook for this job is very good. The healthcare sector in general is growing to meet the needs of the population, and medical support staff in particular is growing as healthcare providers strive to be cost efficient. There are over 22,000 medical assistants working in Pennsylvania, and eleven local chapters of the Pennsylvania Society of Medical Assistants. The number of CMAs is projected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. This is a fantastic time to pursue a career in medical assisting and healthcare in general. Find out now which medical assistant training program is right for you, and take the first step toward a rewarding medical assistant job in Pennsylvania.
(Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, AAMA, CAAHEP, ABHES)
Medical Assisting Programs in Pennsylvania
Allied Medical & Technical Institute
Allied Medical & Technical Institute is nationally accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, ECG, Lab Asst, Massage Therapist, Medical Transcription/Insurance Billing, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomy, Dental Asst, Dental Office Coordinator, Medical Asst Tech, Massage Therapy
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Fort Forty, Scranton
Anthem Institute
Anthem Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Massage Therapist, Medical Billing & Coding
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Springfield
Berks Technical Institute
The Berks Technical Institute's Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Berks Technical Institution is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting Sciences, Dental Asst, Professional Massage Therapist
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Wyomissing
Bradford School
The Bradford School's Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Pittsburgh
Chi Institute
The Chi Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Medical Office Admin, Respiratory Therapy
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Broomal, Franklin Mills Campus/Philadelphia
Everest Institute
The Everest Institute Pittsburgh Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Admin Secretary, Patient Care Tech, Pharmacy Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Pittsburgh
Harris School of Business
Nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Upper Darby
Kaplan Career Institute
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Harrisburg
Kaplan Career Institute ICM Campus
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Occupational Therapy Asst
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Pittsburgh
Keystone Technical Institute
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Assist, Massage Therapy, Medical Billing & Insurance Coding
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Harrisburg
Lansdale School of Business
Lansdale School of Business is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
Programs Offered: Certificate, Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Administrative Specialist, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Medical Admin Asst
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: North Wales, Phoenixville
Laurel Business Institute
Laurel Business Institute is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Mgmt, Medical Lab Tech, Medical Office Admin, Pharmacy Tech, Therapeutic Massage
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Uniontown
Lincoln Technical Institute
Lincoln Technical Institute is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, ACICS.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Admin / Coding & Billing, Pharmacy Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Philadelphia
McCann School of Business & Technology
The Medical Assisting programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). McCann School of Business & Technology is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Asst, Health & Medical Records Mgmt, Massage Therapy, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Tech, Surgical Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Carlisle, Dickson City, Hazleton, Pottsville, Sunbury
Penn Commercial
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Billing & Coding Specialist, Pharmacy Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Washington
Sanford-Brown Institute
The Sanford-Brown Medical Assisting programs are accredited by the ABHES.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Admin, Paramedic, Pharmacy Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Tech, Anesthesia Tech, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Assistant, Medical Assistant Specialist, Radiographer, Veterinary Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Monroeville, Pittsburgh, Trevose
Thompson Institute
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Medical Office Asst
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Philadelphia
Tri-State Business Institute
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Dental Hygiene, EMT, EMT & Paramedic Advanced Techniques, Health Info Tech, Medical Coding, Medical Lap Asst, Medical Records Tech, Medical Transcription, Pharmacy Tech, Radiologic Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Therapeutic Massage
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Erie
University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. University of Phoenix offers all of their programs in the online format.
Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | Gerontology, Health Admin, Health Care Admin, Health Care Informatics, Health Care Mgmt, Health Info Systems, Human Services/Mgmt, Long Term Care, Medical Records, Pharmacy Practice
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
YTI Career Institute
The Medical Assisting program at the Lancaster Campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). YTI Career Institute is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Dental Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Asst, Health Info Tech, Massage Therapy Practitioner, Pharmacy Technician
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Altoona, Lancaster, Mechanicsburg Campus, York
Medical Assistant Programs Offered Online in Pennsylvania
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 (CAAHEP) 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)
University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. University of Phoenix offers all of their programs in the online format.
Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | Gerontology, Health Admin, Health Care Admin, Health Care Informatics, Health Care Mgmt, Health Info Systems, Human Services/Mgmt, Long Term Care, Medical Records, Pharmacy Practice
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Online
