Are you in search of cheap Medical Assistant programs to kickstart your career in the medical field? As always, we’ve got you!
In this article, we provide you with the most affordable colleges around the world where you can obtain a diploma, certificate, or degree as a Medical Assistant.
According to recent statistics, work for skilled medical assistants is expected to rise 19% faster than other healthcare support vocations.
Furthermore, earning your certificate, diploma, or degree from a cheap program allows you to capitalize on these trends while also lowering your expenses, allowing you to graduate with less debt and focus on your job.
This well-researched article on cheap medical assistant programs has been written to assist aspiring medical assistant students with the most affordable medical assistant programs that are currently ongoing and open for enrollment.
This article has been designed to broaden your knowledge about:
- Who a Medical Assistant is
- What a Medical Assistant program is
- Where to find a Medical Assistant
- Skills learnt during a Medical Assistant program
- The goal of a Medical Assistant program
- Duties of a Medical Assistant
- Career opportunities for a Medical Assistant and
- The top 10 cheapest Medical Assistant programs available for everyone.
Let’s kickstart by letting you know who a medical assistant actually is.
Table of Contents
Who is a Medical Assistant?
Basically, a Medical Assistant is a health care professional with the job role of assisting doctors in hospitals, clinics and medical offices.
They also ask you about your symptoms and health concerns and pass the information to the doctor, thus, their duties are limited to collecting information and preparing the doctor and patient for the medical visit.
What is a Medical Assistant Program?
A Medical Assistant program is designed to train medical students to acquire the skills and competencies necessary to work in a variety of healthcare settings.
It is designed for career opportunities as a medical professional and multi-skilled person dedicated to assisting in patient care management.
Finally, these programs ensure training in both administrative and clinical skills that produces a well-rounded medical student with the flexibility to meet the growing healthcare needs.
Where can a Medical Assistant Work?
A large number of Medical Assistants are found in doctor’s offices, outpatient care centres, and hospitals.
Also, institutions like dental offices, nursing homes and physical therapy clinics employ medical assistants to run and improve offices and patient care.
What is the Goal of a Medical Assistant Program?
The goal of a Medical Assistant program is specifically to prepare you for a career as a Medical Assistant.
What Skills can be Learnt During a Medical Assistant Program?
A Medical Assistant program will equip you with all the knowledge needed to be a professional Medical Assistant. A couple of skills will be taught during the program.
Some of the skills to learn during a medical assistant program includes:
- Insurance, billing, and other administrative duties.
- EKG injections.
- Vital sign recording.
- Phlebotomy.
- Medical law and ethics.
- Patient history obtaining and recording.
- Routine examinations.
- Professionalism.
What are the Duties of a Medical Assistant?
The duties of a Medical Assistant are categorized into two namely;
- Administrative duties.
- Clinical duties.
The specific duties of a Medical Assistant vary by practice type, speciality, and applicable state and local laws.
However, a Medical Assistant serves as a liaison between a doctor and their patient(s). They help receive these patients, answer their questions, ensure they’re comfortable and perform a range of clinical duties.
Administrative Duties
The administrative duties of a medical assistant include:
- Welcoming and signing in patients.
- Filing and updating medical records.
- Coding and completing insurance forms.
- Answering phones and scheduling appointments.
- Making arrangements for a hospital visit or laboratory test.
- Handling billing.
- Bookkeeping, and general office mail.
- Navigating different computer programs and applications.
Clinical Duties
The clinical duties of a medical assistant include:
- Showing patients to the exam room.
- Recording symptoms and updating medical histories.
- Helping patients prepare to see the doctor.
- Collecting and preparing laboratory samples or performing basic lab tests.
- Assisting doctors during physical exams.
- Discussing prescription and dietary changes with patients.
- Handling prescription refill requests.
- Dispensing medications.
- Removing stitches or changing wound dressings.
- Doing electrocardiograms and other medical tests.
- Drawing blood for laboratory tests.
What are the Career Opportunities for Medical Assistants?
Of Course, career opportunities for Medical Assistants are vast.
Some of these career opportunities include institutions like hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, outpatient medical facilities, etc.
Other career opportunities for Medical Assistants include administrative support occupations, educating future medical assistants and other office management roles.
What Colleges offer the Most Affordable Medical Assistant Programs?
Below are the colleges that offer the most affordable medical assistant programs:
- Palm Beach State College
- Davidson County Community College
- Bossier Parish Community College
- Kennebec Valley Community College
- Bluegrass Community And Technical College
- Cleveland State Community College
- Chattanooga State Community College
- Flathead Valley Community College
- Macomb Community College
- Norwalk Community College.
10 Cheap Medical Assistant Programs
Below is a list of 10 cheap Medical Assistant Programs:
#1. Medical Assisting Advanced AS at Palm Beach State College
Palm Beach State Community College is an interesting school to go to if you want to base in Florida.
The school is situated in beautiful Lake Worth, FL, and has an impressive graduation rate of 31%. With a staggering student population of 29,974, this institution has great social opportunities and organizations to get involved in.
- Total Annual Cost: $6,749
- In-state Tuition: $2,314
- Out-of-state Tuition: $8,386
- Degree: Certificate.
#2. Medical Assisting Program at Davidson County Community College
In the heart of Lexington, North Carolina lies Davidson County Community College. Davidson County Community College only offers a diploma in medical assisting, but it has a graduation rate of 32%.
With 4,159 students, the school is far from large. Nevertheless, it does have all the training you need to start a career.
- Total Annual Cost: $6,221
- In-state Tuition: $1,786
- Out-of-state Tuition: $6,394
- Degrees: A.A.S, Diploma, Certificate.
#3. BPCC’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Technical Diploma
Bossier Parish Community College is located in Bossier City, Louisiana. It has a student population of 7,855 and a graduation rate of 14%.
If you choose to attend this school, you can earn an associate’s degree or diploma in medical assisting. Both of them can lead to certification if you pay close attention in school.
- Total Annual Cost: $7,583
- In-state Tuition: $3,148
- Out-of-state Tuition: $6,374
- Degrees: A.A.S, Diploma.
#4. Medical Assistant Certificate program at Kennebec Valley Community College
Kennebec Valley Community College is a great school to go to if you want an associate’s degree in medical assisting.
It is located in Fairfield, Maine, and has a student population of 2,436. Earning a degree here takes about two years in total, but there are online classes you can take if you have to work during that time.
The graduation rate at Kennebec Valley Community College is 40%.
- Total Annual Cost: $7,621
- In-state Tuition: $3,186
- Out-of-state Tuition: $5,766
- Degree: A.A.S, Certificate.
#5.Medical Assisting Program at Bluegrass Community And Technical College
If you want a diploma in medical assisting, Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a great school to consider attending.
This school is based in Lexington, Kentucky, and is home to nearly 14,000 students every year. With a 20% graduation rate, you should have a good chance of completing your education at Bluegrass Community and Technical College.
- Total Annual Cost: $7,855
- In-state Tuition: $3,420
- Out-of-state Tuition: $11,820
- Degree: A.A.S, Diploma, Certificate.
#6. Medical Assisting A.A.S degree at Cleveland State Community College
Cleveland State Community College sounds like it would be located in Ohio, but it is actually based in the lesser-known Cleveland, Tennessee.
The school has a wonderful associate of science in medical assisting, and it offers classes online. There are about 3,640 students here every year, and an average of 15% of them make it through graduation. Study hard and you could be one of them.
- Total Annual Cost: $8,106
- In-state Tuition: $3,761
- Out-of-state Tuition: $14,303
- Degree: A.A.S.
#7. Medical Assisting program at Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga State College has a low graduation rate of 7%, but it also has an affordability rate. The school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it supports over 10,000 students a year. You can only earn a certificate in medical assisting here.
- Total Annual Cost: $8,305
- In-state Tuition: $3,807
- Out-of-state Tuition: $13,998
- Degree: Diploma.
#8. Medical Assistant C.A.S at Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College is located in Kalispell, Montana, and it has a student population of 2,400. The school has a graduation rate of 27%, which is higher than that of other colleges.
- Total Annual Cost: $9,537
- In-state Tuition: $5,102
- Out-of-state Tuition: $10,870
- Degree: Certificate.
#9. Medical Assistant Certificate Program at Macomb Community College
At Macomb Community College, you can earn a certificate in medical assisting. The student population here is fairly high at 23,969 people.
Macomb Community College is the pride of the Clinton Township in MI, but it only has a graduation rate of 13%.
- Total Annual Cost: $8,596
- In-state Tuition: $4.161
- Out-of-state Tuition: $5,370
- Degree: Certificate.
#10. Medical Assistant Certificate Program at Norwalk Community College
Norwalk Community College is in Norwalk, Connecticut. This is one of the few schools in Connecticut that offer accredited medical assistant programs.
Here you can choose to earn a certificate in medical assisting, where you will join a student population of slightly under 7,000. The graduation rate here is 10%.
- Total Annual Cost: $8,221
- In-state Tuition: $3,786
- Out-of-state Tuition: $10,506
- Degree: Certificate.
What are the 5 Most Affordable Online Medical Assistant Programs?
In truth, online Medical Assistant programs make it possible for students who don’t have enough time to enrol in an offline program to thrive.
Earning your certificate, diploma, or degree from an affordable online Medical Assistant program helps you take full advantage of your career thereby reducing expenses so you can graduate with less debt and focus on your career.
Below is a list of the 5 cheapest colleges that offer online medical assistant programs:
- University of Providence Medical assistant programs
- Southwestern Community College
- Dakota College at Bottineau
- Central Texas College
- Craven Community College.
1. Medical Assistant Degree Program at the University of Providence
Its main campus is in Great Falls, Montana. It administers an online Medical certificate in Medical Assisting.
Required classes at the University of Providence cover nutrition, pharmacology, healthcare ethics, and administrative practices.
Type: Private, Not for profit
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Career Placement: Yes.
2. Medical Assisting Diploma at Rasmussen University
This cheap online university is a private university with satellite facilities across the country, it offers an online medical assisting diploma through its Minnesota affiliates. The curriculum includes both online and on-campus classes, as well as field activities to help students develop practical clinical skills.
Each student takes a total of twelve classes, including capstone and internship requirements.
In addition, direct patient care, medical intake processing, lab procedures, and other administrative roles are all covered in core training.
In as little as 12 months, qualified transfer students can complete the program and be certified.
Type: Private, For-profit
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Career Placement: Yes.
3. Medical Assisting Program at Dakota College at Bottineau
Students can pursue this affordable medical assistant certification online.
The curriculum follows a two-semester plan, with distance learners enrolling in courses covering medical coding, managing documents, and assisting in basic surgical procedures. A certificate-seeker may opt to take nine additional courses to earn an associate degree.
Type: Public
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission.
Career Placement: No.
4. Medical Assistant Degree Program Herzing University
This Affordable University’s online medical assisting degree offers numerous paths to accommodate students from a variety of backgrounds. Its diploma program is only eight months long and consists of 24 standalone courses taught by professional healthcare clinicians.
Students who want a more in-depth experience can achieve an associate degree in just two years, gaining additional certifications that will allow them to transition to other allied health professions.
Both programs use entirely online platforms and upgraded communication methods to deliver all educational course material.
In addition, students complete hands-on lab experiences and a concluding externship at a local medical facility, totalling 180 hours of supervised work in the field.
Finally, both the diploma and the associate degree are based on the same set of core classes that cover insurance adjudication, medical terminology, patient privacy, and human anatomy and physiology.
Type: Private, Not for Profit
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Career Placement: No.
5. Medical Assisting Degree Program Keiser University’s Ft. Lauderdale
Keiser University’s eCampus in Fort Lauderdale offers an online associate degree in medical assisting science.
Full-time students and approved transfer students complete the program in two years or fewer, developing critical clinical and clerical skills expected of working professionals.
Furthermore, the 60-credit program includes basic medical assisting courses such as insurance claims, billing and coding, and information administration, as well as general education science and liberal arts electives.
Preparation for national certification exams in medical assisting is another outcome.
Finally, Keiser’s required classes are available in flexible online versions for maximum flexibility and convenience. Anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology courses are taught by experienced teachers who react to all student emails within 24 hours.
Type: Private, Not for profit
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Career Placement: No.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Do the online Medical Assistant program have a class schedule that allows you to work while you study?
Working while you study can be challenging, but it does offer certain benefits like receiving a steady income throughout your studies. It not only provides extra stability but also gives you more resources to cover costs and allow for flexibility.
How much financial aid you can get for your online medical assistant program
Financial aid from schools, government programs, and other outlets can significantly reduce education costs. Prospective students should complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal aid. Most schools with medical assistant programs also offer financial aid, organizations like the American Association of Medical Assistants.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, some Medical programs have made it cheap and convenient for medical students to enroll, both online and offline. Make use of the opportunity today and get either your certificate or Associate’s degree today.
All the best!