Medical Assistant Programs in Virginia

You can become a certified medical assistant in Virginia in one to two years. Certification is generally voluntary, but while it is not legally required, it is often preferred and even required by employers. In order to become certified, you need to complete a training program as a first step, and then pass a certification exam. The training program can be either a certification training program that lasts nine months, or a two year associate degree program. Just be sure that the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are nearly a dozen accredited programs in the state, with the added option of distance learning and many online courses. You can check CAAHEP’s website for any current additions or changes to their listing. The second step 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.

Certification training will cover many skill sets, and can depend on the state. Clerical and administrative skills are an important part of any medical assistant job. You will be responsible for making appointments, dealing with insurance companies, record keeping, medical coding, and any other tasks required to keep the administrative side of the practice, outpatient clinic, or hospital running well. Medical assistants can also undertake a variety of clinical tasks. CMAs in smaller offices may have more responsibilities than those in larger offices or hospitals, where they may be more specialized. These responsibilities can include assessing patients, recording medical histories, drawing blood, prepping patients for procedures, assisting physicians with procedures, preparing patients for x-rays, instructing patients about medications, preparing lab specimens, or sterilizing medical instruments, to give a few examples.

The average salary for a medical assistant in Virginia in 2008 was $26,530. 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 were over 9,100 medical assistants in Virginia in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a mean annual salary of $29,050 and mean hourly rate of $13.97. According to the Virginia Employment Commission, the occupation has been projected to grow at a rate of 39% in the period from 2006 to 2016, which is even higher than the national average for this job. Additionally there are six state chapters in the Virginia Society of Medical Assistants which can help you network and pursue continuing education opportunities. This is a fantastic time to pursue a career in healthcare. Find out now which medical assistant training program is right for you, and get started on your career in healthcare.
(Sources: AAMA, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CAAHEP, the Virginia Society of Medical Assistants)

Medical Assistant Training Programs in Virginia

Bryant & Stratton College

The Bryant & Stratton College Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Programs Offered: Associate's | Medical Assisting

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Richmond, Virginia Beach

Everest College

Everest College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Chesapeake, Newport News, Tyson's Corner, Arlington

Fortis College

Fortis College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Programs Offered: Associate's | Medical Assisting

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Norfolk, Richmond Beach

Miller-Motte Technical Colleges

The Miller-Motte Technical Colleges Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Lynchburg

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, Bachelor's | Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Asst, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Technician

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Bluefield, Charlottesville, Danville, VA, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Roanoke Valley

Sanford-Brown College

Sanford-Brown College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (DOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Vienna

Stratford University

Stratford University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

Programs Offered: Associate's | Medical Assisting

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Tysons Corner/Falls Church, Woodbridge

Medical Assistant Programs Offered Online in Virginia

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

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)

Programs Offered: AA in Medical Assisting

Herzing University

The Herzing University Online Medical Assisting program is Accredited by the ABHES and 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). This Medical Assisting program can be completed in 12 to 20 months.

Programs Offered: AS 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)

Most Viewed Degrees Online RN-to-BSN Programs Online RN-to-MSN Programs Nurse Practitioner Programs LPN-to-BSN Programs LPN / LVN Programs Forensic Nursing Degrees Legal Nurse Consulting Programs Case Management Certificate Geriatric Care Management Certificate Medical Assisting Programs Medical Billing and Coding Schools Featured Schools University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services Walden University Kaplan University American InterContinental University Online Herzing University Online Useful Links CNA Training in Virginia	Medical Assistant Programs in Virginia You can become a certified medical assistant in Virginia in one to two years. Certification is generally voluntary, but while it is not legally required, it is often preferred and even required by employers. In order to become certified, you need to complete a training program as a first step, and then pass a certification exam. The training program can be either a certification training program that lasts nine months, or a two year associate degree program. Just be sure that the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are nearly a dozen accredited programs in the state, with the added option of distance learning and many online courses. You can check CAAHEP’s website for any current additions or changes to their listing. The second step 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. Certification training will cover many skill sets, and can depend on the state. Clerical and administrative skills are an important part of any medical assistant job. You will be responsible for making appointments, dealing with insurance companies, record keeping, medical coding, and any other tasks required to keep the administrative side of the practice, outpatient clinic, or hospital running well. Medical assistants can also undertake a variety of clinical tasks. CMAs in smaller offices may have more responsibilities than those in larger offices or hospitals, where they may be more specialized. These responsibilities can include assessing patients, recording medical histories, drawing blood, prepping patients for procedures, assisting physicians with procedures, preparing patients for x-rays, instructing patients about medications, preparing lab specimens, or sterilizing medical instruments, to give a few examples. The average salary for a medical assistant in Virginia in 2008 was $26,530. 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 were over 9,100 medical assistants in Virginia in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a mean annual salary of $29,050 and mean hourly rate of $13.97. According to the Virginia Employment Commission, the occupation has been projected to grow at a rate of 39% in the period from 2006 to 2016, which is even higher than the national average for this job. Additionally there are six state chapters in the Virginia Society of Medical Assistants which can help you network and pursue continuing education opportunities. This is a fantastic time to pursue a career in healthcare. Find out now which medical assistant training program is right for you, and get started on your career in healthcare. (Sources: AAMA, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CAAHEP, the Virginia Society of Medical Assistants) Medical Assistant Training Programs in Virginia Bryant & Stratton College The Bryant & Stratton College Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Programs Offered: Associate's \| Medical Assisting Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Richmond, Virginia Beach Everest College Everest College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Programs Offered: Diploma \| Medical Assisting Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Chesapeake, Newport News, Tyson's Corner, Arlington Fortis College Fortis College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Programs Offered: Associate's \| Medical Assisting Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Norfolk, Richmond Beach Miller-Motte Technical Colleges The Miller-Motte Technical Colleges Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's \| Medical Assisting Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Lynchburg 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, Bachelor's \| Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Asst, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Technician Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Bluefield, Charlottesville, Danville, VA, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Roanoke Valley Sanford-Brown College Sanford-Brown College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (DOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's \| Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Vienna Stratford University Stratford University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Programs Offered: Associate's \| Medical Assisting Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Tysons Corner/Falls Church, Woodbridge Medical Assistant Programs Offered Online in Virginia 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 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) Programs Offered: AA in Medical Assisting Herzing University The Herzing University Online Medical Assisting program is Accredited by the ABHES and 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). This Medical Assisting program can be completed in 12 to 20 months. Programs Offered: AS 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) Back to Top \| Medical Assistant Programs by State