Medical Assistant Schools in Utah
Medical Assistant Training in Utah is available through junior or community colleges as well as vocational schools in many locations throughout the state. You can enroll in a medical assistant training program that prepares you for the certification exam in just under a year, or you can earn an associate degree in two years. The program should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are about ten such programs in the state as well as some online program offerings that can be found below, but you can check the commission’s website for any additions or changes. At the end of your training, you will take an exam given by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), and when you pass you become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). While this certification is not required by the state of Utah to practice as a medical assistant, it is greatly preferred by most employers and would give you an advantage in your job search and more professional respect in your career.
The actual training is varied and covers both the clinical and clerical sides of medical assisting. It is an occupation that involves a lot of multi-tasking and different skills. Administrative and clerical training will cover billing, record keeping, dealing with insurance companies, making appointments, communicating with patients, and other basic office management skills. Clinical training will also teach important skills, like assessing patients, recording medical histories, taking vital signs, drawing blood, administering medications, prepping patients for procedures, and assisting physicians during exams or procedures. Medical assistants can work strictly on the administrative side, or strictly on the clinical side, but most work on both sides of the job. They also might become more specialized in larger offices or clinics.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 4,910 medical assistants in the state of Utah in 2008. The outlook for medical assistants in Utah is outstanding. According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, it is the fifth fastest growing occupation, projected to grow 59% from 2006 through 2016. This means that this is an opportune time to find a program and get started. The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing job sectors, with the state struggling to meet the medical needs of an expanding aging population. Advances in technology is another factor that enables support staff like medical assistants to take on more and more tasks in clinics and physicians’ offices. The mean salary for a CMA in Utah is around $26,730, and the mean hourly rate is $12.85. There is also a state chapter of the AAMA which can be an important professional contact for you. Find out about the best medical assistant program for you by contacting the schools listed below, and in under a year you can be entering a profession with great benefits, salary, and very good job security.
(Sources: AAMA, salary.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CAAHEP)
Medical Assistant Programs in Utah
Eagle Gate College
The Medical Assistant programs are accredited by the accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Professional Massage & Bodywork, Professional Fitness Training
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Salt Lake City/Murray, Layton
Everest College
The Everest College Salt Lake City/West Valley City Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Salt Lake City
Fortis College
Fortis College in Salt Lake City is accredited as a branch campus of National Institute of Technology, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Medical Office Administration
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Salt Lake City
Provo College
Provo College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Therapeutic Massage Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Provo
Utah Career College
The Utah Career College Medical Assistant Diploma programs offered at the Layton and West Jordan campuses are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Utah Career College is accredited by 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, Associate's, Bachelor's | Medical Assisting, Health Fitness Specialist, Massage Therapy, Medical Coding & Billing, Veterinary Tech, Pharmacy Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Layton, Orem, West Jordan
Medical Assistant Programs Offered Online in Utah
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)
