Medical Assistant Training Programs in Tennessee
If you are seeking a job as a medical assistant in the booming health industry, the wise thing to do is find a certified medical assistant (CMA) training program. Becoming certified is not legally required in Tennessee, but it is increasingly preferred by healthcare employers and would make you more competitive and earn you more respect on the job. There are two main steps to becoming a CMA: completing a training program, and passing the certification examination. These steps can take anywhere from one year to two.
The first step toward becoming certified is finding the right training program for you. An associate degree is offered at community colleges or junior colleges and requires four semesters of study. A diploma program requires only one year, at the most. Ideally you should 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), however this is not required. There are currently a dozen CAAHEP accredited programs throughout Tennessee. Online degrees are also an option if there is not an accredited program near you. The online Medical Assistant programs listed below have the accreditation you would want. Training will cover both the administrative side of medical assisting as well as the clinical side. Medical assistants are healthcare multi-taskers, completing many clinical and clerical duties that help an office run efficiently and effectively. You will also learn about overall office management, which can include making appointments, billing, record keeping, medical coding, and communicating with insurance companies. Some everyday tasks a Medical Assistant might do include assessing patients, recording medical history, taking vital signs, drawing blood, administering medication, assisting physicians, or explaining procedures or medication to patients. Medical assistants can work in small outpatient clinics, specialists’ offices, nursing homes, or large hospitals.
The second step toward becoming a CMA is to register for the certification exam, a voluntary process. Certification does demonstrate to employers your dedication to the profession and may set you apart from other medical assistants without certification interviewing for the same position. The certification exam is administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), and completion or near completion of your training is required before registering and paying the fee. It is a multiple choice, computer-based exam, and as of 2009, you can take it throughout the year. Once you pass this, you will be a CMA.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 10,000 medical assistants working in Tennessee. The mean annual salary is $26,740, and the mean hourly wage is $12.85. This will be higher in bigger cities like Nashville and Memphis, and will increase with experience or specialization. It is usually also higher in outpatient clinics than it is in smaller offices. According to BLS, it is one of the three fastest growing medical occupations, so the outlook is excellent. There are five local chapters in the Tennessee Society of Medical Assistants, which is an affiliate of the AAMA. This can be a great benefit for medical assistants looking to network or keep up with any developments in the field or continuing education opportunities. This is an excellent job choice in an already booming industry. Take advantage of this growth and get started on your secure occupation in healthcare by earning your certification.
(Sources: AAMA, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CAAHEP, TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
Medical Assistant Training Programs in Tennessee
Concorde Career College
Graduates of the Medical Assistant program are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant Examination (CMA) administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Programs Offered: Certificate, Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Dental Hygiene, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Office Professional, Patient Care Tech, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapist Assistant, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Memphis
Draughons College
Draughons College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Billing & Coding, Dental Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Massage Therapy
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Nashville, Clarksville, Murfreesboro
High-Tech Institute
High-Tech Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Dental Assistant
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Nashville, Memphis
Kaplan Career Institute
Graduates are prepared to take the Certified Medical Assistant Examination (CMA) administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Dental Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding Specialist, Medical Office Specialist
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Nashville
MedVance Institute
MedVance Institute Nashville is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). The Cookeville campus is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE)
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding Specialist, Radiologic Tech, IT & Biomedical Tech, Personal Training, Sterile Processing Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Cookeville, Nashville
Miller-Motte Technical Colleges
The Miller-Motte Technical Colleges are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Health Information Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Billing and Coding, Surgical Tech, Healthcare Asst, Healthcare Tech, Medical Office Asst, Sterile Processing
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Clarksville, Chattanooga
National College
The National College Medical Assistant programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Health Info Tech, Medical Office Asst, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Tech, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Transcription, Surgical Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Nashville, Bristol, Knoxville, Memphis, Madison, Bartlett
Remington College
The Remington College Tennessee campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Dental Asst, Medical Insurance & Coding
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Nashville, Memphis
South College
The Medical Assisting program is accreditd by the CAAHEP upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board.
Programs Offered: Certification, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's | Medical Assisting, Health Science, Medical Assistant, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmaceutical Science, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiography
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Knoxville
Southeastern Institute
Southeastern Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.
Programs Offered: Certificate, Diploma | Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, Professional Clinical Massage Therapy
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Nashville
Vatterott College
Vatterott College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Memphis
Virginia College School of Business and Health
The Virginia College School of Business and Health is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's, Bachelor's | Medical Assisting, Administrative Office Assistant - Medical, Health Care Reimbursement, Health Services Mgmt, Medical Office Mgmt, Pharmacy Tech, Therapeutic Massage
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Chattanooga
Medical Assistant Programs Offered Online in Tennessee
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)
