Medical Assistant Training in South Carolina

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If you are interested in the fast-growing occupation of medical assisting, the best way to become one is to voluntarily gain some training through one of the schools listed below and become a certified medical assistant (CMA). No certification or license is legally required in the state of South Carolina to work as a medical assistant. However, voluntarily becoming certified as a Certified Medical Assistant through the AAMA or a Registered Medical Assistant through the American Medical Technologists (AMT) would boost your chances of getting the job you want, give you a head start on your career, and earn you more respect on the job. Certification through either of these two routes demonstrates a dedication to the profession and superior knowledge in the field.

Medical Assistant certification is accomplished by completing a certificate program or associate degree program from an accredited medical assistant training program, and then passing one of the certification exams. Program accreditation is awarded by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are about a dozen accredited programs in the state, and you can check the websites of these organizations for additions and updates. Online courses along with an internship are also an option and can be found listed below. Once you have completed your training, you are eligible to take the certification exam. This is given by the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Passing this makes you a certified medical assistant (CMA). This certification is increasingly becoming a requirement for many healthcare employers who want qualified candidates. Most medical assisting programs require about nine months to a year, and an associate degree requires two years of study. RMA certification through AMT does not require graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES program, however, applicants for certification must complete a program that is comprised of at least 720 hours of medical assisting skills training including clinical hours and the school must be nationally accredited. Find schools offering programs that meet these requirements listed below.

Medical assistants have varied job duties that span clerical and clinical tasks. Your training will prepare you for the many tasks expected of you. Among other things, you will learn how to assess patients, record medical histories, take a patient’s vital signs, draw a patient’s blood, administer medication, prepare patients for examinations, assist physicians in procedures, or explain medications and procedures to patients. You will also learn administrative skills that will help you run an office or clinic, including medical coding, billing, and some basic medical terminology and pharmacology.

The future of medical assisting in the state is excellent. There are over 7,000 medical assistants in the state and it is one of the fastest growing occupations, expected to grow at a rate of 33% through 2016. The mean annual salary is $27,190, and the mean hourly rate is $13.07, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are nine local chapters of the South Carolina Society of Medical Assistants. This can be a great resource for career advancement, continuing education, and networking. Now is the time to get started in the secure and expanding field of healthcare. In just one to two years you can be a certified medical assistant making good money. This can also be a stepping stone to other education and career opportunities in the field of health care, such as nursing and management.
(Sources: AAMA, Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Carolina Society of Medical Assistants, CAAHEP, American Medical Technologist certification requirements)

Medical Assisting Programs in South Carolina

Brown Mackie College

Brown Mackie College is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's | Medical Assisting, Health Care Admin, Health Care Mgmt, Surgical Tech

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Greenville

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Remington College

Remington College - Columbia, SC is accredited by the The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Cosmetology, Medical Billing & Coding

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Columbia

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South University

The South University Medical Assisting program is CAAHEP accredited and graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam.

Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's, MBA | Medical Assisting, Health care Admin, Health care Mgmt, Health Science

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Columbia

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Southeastern Institute

Southeastern Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.

Programs Offered: Certificate | Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, Professional Clinical Massage Therapy

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Charleston, Columbia

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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: Bachelor's | Health Administration

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Columbia

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Virginia College

Virginia College is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).

Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's, Diploma | Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Mgmt, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech, Therapeutic Massage

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Greenville

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Medical Assistant Programs Offered Online in South Carolina

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

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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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