Medical Assistant Programs in South Dakota
In order to become a practicing medical assistant in the state of South Dakota, you must become certified and register with the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners and the Board of Nursing. In most states, certification is voluntary but beneficial and preferred by employers. In South Dakota, however, training and registration is mandatory.
Certification requires training from an accredited program and passing the certification exam. If you don’t choose an accredited program, it needs to have similar standards to an accredited program, and you must meet other qualifications established by the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners and the Board of Nursing. Accreditation to medical assistant programs 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 five accredited schools in South Dakota currently at various technical institutes, colleges, and universities. You can check CAAHEP’s website for changes or additions to accredited schools or find a school listed below. You can also pursue online distance learning, which is an alternative when accompanied by an internship. Online Medical Assisting programs offered in South Dakota can also be found below. These training programs usually require only nine months to a year of study, unless you choose to pursue an associate degree, which requires two years.
Training in a medical assistant program will cover both clinical and clerical areas, as medical assistants are basically healthcare multi-taskers who perform a variety of duties in doctors’ offices, specialists’ offices, hospitals and outpatient clinics. You will learn how to perform such routine technical tasks, such as assessing patients, taking blood, recording medical histories, taking blood pressure, prepping patients for procedures, or assisting physicians in procedures. You will also learn about medical coding, billing, communicating with insurance companies, making appointments, and routine office administration. Once you complete this training, you are eligible to take the certification exam, which is given by the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Completion or near completion of training from an AAMA approved program is necessary in order to take the exam. Once you pass the exam, you will be a certified medical assistant (CMA) and eligible for registration to practice medical assisting.
The outlook for this medical support occupation is excellent in South Dakota. There were over 830 medical assistants in South Dakota in 2008, according to the BLS. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it is one of the fastest growing occupations. In fact, according to the South Dakota Department of Labor, medical assistants were projected to grow in the state at a pace of 39% between 2006 and 2016. Due to the growing aging population and an increased use of outpatient clinics, medical support staff is expected to be growing at a rapid pace for many years. The latest report on mean annual salary for a medical assistant listed $25,310 and the mean hourly rate is $12.17. There are also two chapters in the South Dakota Society of Medical Assistants: the Sioux Empire Chapter and the Northern Plains Chapter. These professional organizations can help you network and keep abreast of changes in your field. Get started and find the right training program for you in order to enter this secure occupation in the booming healthcare sector.
(Sources: South Dakota Department of Labor Occupation Projections, South Dakota Legislature Codified Laws - Medical Assistants, South Dakota Society of Medical Assistants)
Medical Assistant Training Programs in South Dakota
Colorado Technical University
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the CAAHEP upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board.
Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Medical Assisting, Health Care Mgmt, Health Services Admin
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Sioux Falls
Globe University
Globe University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). The Medical Assistant program prepares graduates to sit for the Certification exam administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's, Bachelor's | Medical Assisting, Health Care Mgmt, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin Asst, Veterinary Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Sioux Falls
National American University
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's, Bachelor's | Medical Assisting, Health Care Coding, Health Care Mgmt, Health Info Tech, Medical Staff Services Mgmt, Pharmacy Tech, Therapeutic Massage
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Sioux Falls
Medical Assistant Programs Offered Online in South Dakota
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)
