Medical Assistant Programs in Washington

Training to become a medical assistant in Washington can be done on the job, as it does not legally require certification. However, to be competitive in the job market, it is highly recommended that you complete training and pass a certification exam to become a certified medical assistant (CMA). This voluntary certification is highly preferred by healthcare employers, and will give you a competitive edge in your job search as well as a head start on your career.

In order to become certified you first need to complete an accredited certification program, which takes around nine months to one year. Accreditation is determined by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are currently over twenty CAAHEP accredited programs throughout the state of Washington including some online programs. CAAHEP’s website will provide a current listing of any newly accredited programs and you can find some of them listed below. You can also enroll in accredited online programs and complete your distance learning with an internship. The online medical assistant programs offered in Washington can also be found below. Alternatively, you can also pursue more specialized training and earn an associate degree in medical assisting, which requires two years. Once you have completed your training, the next step is to take the certification exam. This is given by the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Completion or near completion of an accredited program is a prerequisite for taking this multiple-choice, computer-based exam. Once you pass this, you will be a CMA.

Training in these programs will cover phlebotomy, medical terminology, medical records processing, and similar topics. You will learn the skills needed to be a well rounded medical assistant who can easily switch from the clerical side of the job to the clinical side. Taking vital signs, drawing blood, recording medical histories, administering medications, assisting physicians, as well as making appointments, managing records, and communicating with insurance companies are just some of many varied tasks that medical assistants do to help an office, clinic, or hospital run smoothly. Some medical assistants work primarily on the clerical side, and some work mainly performing clinical tasks, but many perform both types of duties. The size of the office can also affect specialization and the range of a medical assistant’s responsibilities.

Medical assistants are among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare and overall. There were approximately 10,700 medical assistants in Washington in 2008 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and this number continues to grow. The mean annual salary in Washington for this job is $32,860 and the mean hourly rate is $15.80. This also includes good medical benefits. The salary will be slightly higher in urban areas and in larger clinics than in doctors’ or specialists’ offices. Choosing to pursue a specialization within medical assisting can increase your salary as well. There are also nine local chapters in the Washington State Society of Medical Assistants. Wherever you live in the state, you will likely be close enough to take advantage of this professional opportunity to network and communicate with other CMAs. Get started now in this secure medical occupation by finding a medical assistant program below that matches your needs.
(Sources: AAMA, Washington State Society of Medical Assistants)

Medical Assistant Programs in Washington

Carrington College

Graduates of the Medical Assistant program are prepared to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant Examination (CMA) administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Massage Therapist, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Mgmt

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Spokane

Charter College

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

Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Insurance Coding & Billing, Medical Office Administration, Pharmacy Technician

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Pasco

Everest College

The Everest College Medical Assistant programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Billing, Pharmacy Tech, Medical/Clinical Admin Asst, Massage, Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Spa & Aromatherapy, Admin Medical Assistant, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Bremerton, Everett, Renton, Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver

Pima Medical Institute

The Pima Medical Institute Medical Assisting Programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Pima Medical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Occupational Therapy Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Radiographer, Respiratory Therapy, Veterinary Asst, Veterinary Tech, Physical Therapy Asst

Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Renton, Seattle

Medical Assisting Programs Offered Online in Washington

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)

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This voluntary certification is highly preferred by healthcare employers, and will give you a competitive edge in your job search as well as a head start on your career. In order to become certified you first need to complete an accredited certification program, which takes around nine months to one year. Accreditation is determined by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are currently over twenty CAAHEP accredited programs throughout the state of Washington including some online programs. CAAHEP’s website will provide a current listing of any newly accredited programs and you can find some of them listed below. You can also enroll in accredited online programs and complete your distance learning with an internship. The online medical assistant programs offered in Washington can also be found below. Alternatively, you can also pursue more specialized training and earn an associate degree in medical assisting, which requires two years. Once you have completed your training, the next step is to take the certification exam. This is given by the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Completion or near completion of an accredited program is a prerequisite for taking this multiple-choice, computer-based exam. Once you pass this, you will be a CMA. Training in these programs will cover phlebotomy, medical terminology, medical records processing, and similar topics. You will learn the skills needed to be a well rounded medical assistant who can easily switch from the clerical side of the job to the clinical side. Taking vital signs, drawing blood, recording medical histories, administering medications, assisting physicians, as well as making appointments, managing records, and communicating with insurance companies are just some of many varied tasks that medical assistants do to help an office, clinic, or hospital run smoothly. Some medical assistants work primarily on the clerical side, and some work mainly performing clinical tasks, but many perform both types of duties. The size of the office can also affect specialization and the range of a medical assistant’s responsibilities. Medical assistants are among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare and overall. There were approximately 10,700 medical assistants in Washington in 2008 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and this number continues to grow. The mean annual salary in Washington for this job is $32,860 and the mean hourly rate is $15.80. This also includes good medical benefits. The salary will be slightly higher in urban areas and in larger clinics than in doctors’ or specialists’ offices. Choosing to pursue a specialization within medical assisting can increase your salary as well. There are also nine local chapters in the Washington State Society of Medical Assistants. Wherever you live in the state, you will likely be close enough to take advantage of this professional opportunity to network and communicate with other CMAs. Get started now in this secure medical occupation by finding a medical assistant program below that matches your needs. (Sources: AAMA, Washington State Society of Medical Assistants) Medical Assistant Programs in Washington Carrington College Graduates of the Medical Assistant program are prepared to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant Examination (CMA) administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's \| Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Massage Therapist, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Mgmt Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Spokane Charter College Charter College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's \| Medical Assisting, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Insurance Coding & Billing, Medical Office Administration, Pharmacy Technician Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Pasco Everest College The Everest College Medical Assistant programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's \| Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Billing, Pharmacy Tech, Medical/Clinical Admin Asst, Massage, Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Spa & Aromatherapy, Admin Medical Assistant, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Bremerton, Everett, Renton, Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver Pima Medical Institute The Pima Medical Institute Medical Assisting Programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Pima Medical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's \| Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Occupational Therapy Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Radiographer, Respiratory Therapy, Veterinary Asst, Veterinary Tech, Physical Therapy Asst Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Renton, Seattle Medical Assisting Programs Offered Online in Washington 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) Back to Top \| Find Medical Assistant Training Programs by State