Medical Assistant Schools in West Virginia

It is common for medical assistants in West Virginia to choose a specific area or work environment to focus on. However, professionals in the field are generally expected to be adept at every aspect of the job, from clinical and administrative assistance to working in clinics, hospitals, and specialist offices.

This is because the scope of their duties is similar and constant across environments. In the guide on this page, we explore the specific duties and how a candidate can acquire enough expertise to secure entry-level employment.

We also provide certification pathways for career growth and salary projections, among other helpful resources.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in West Virginia

Successful medical assistants in West Virginia tend to begin their careers following the framework below.

Skills & Fundamental Requirements

Fundamental skills to become a medical assistant in West Virginia include analytical thinking and attention to detail. Professionals in this field are also expected to have strong communication skills (both oral and written), interpersonal skills, empathy, and problem-solving skills.

Academic Training

Individuals across the state of West Virginia are usually able to secure admission into a medical assistant training program with a high school diploma. Once there, they can choose to study for a few months to a year and pick up a certificate or learn for 2 years and leave with an associate degree.

While medical assistant programs can be online or on campus, hybrid programs are very common. These programs allow candidates to learn online and then practice in the real world, either on campus or in a healthcare facility.

On-the-Job Training

Prospective medical assistants can receive training in an actual medical establishment and start a career in the field that way. However, those who would like to go through this approach must first secure placement with an establishment that offers training to inexperienced candidates.

Certification may also not be very straightforward for those who choose this approach.

Advanced Skills

After completing a medical assistant training program and securing entry-level employment, medical assistants in West Virginia often continue to improve themselves by being certified and participating in continuing education.

Ultimately, they may pursue more advanced fields, such as nursing, office management, and physical assisting.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become an electrician in West Virginia

Licensure & Certification Requirements

There is no state body or local agency responsible for licensing medical assistants in West Virginia. Employers are usually the only ones who can specify what exactly they are looking for in a professional, and typically, certification helps candidates become competitive in the employment market.

This is why, even though certification is generally optional, the majority of medical assistants in West Virginia are certified. New medical assistants who want to improve their credibility by becoming certified can pursue the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credential issued by the National Healthcareer Association.

The Certified Medical Assistant credential issued by the American Association of Medical Assistants and the Registered Medical Assistant credential issued by the American Medical Technologists are also highly rated.

Requirements for certification usually involve graduation from an accredited program and registration for a certification examination.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in West Virginia

Prospective medical assistants in West Virginia may consider any of the programs below for their comprehensive training.

Explore medical assistant schools in West Virginia by city:

• Medical assistant schools in Charleston

Salary & Career Outlook

Medical assistants in West Virginia earn an annual average salary ranging between $27,363 and $49,187. Those who fall in the lower range are among the bottom 10%, while those who fall in the upper range are among the top 10%.

Factors like experience and location work together to separate candidates into these ranges. However, the majority of medical assistants in West Virginia will fall in the middle category, earning an annual average salary of $36,687.

With regards to location, the most favorable cities to work as a medical assistant in the state are Morgantown, with an annual average salary of $42,299; Martinsburg, with an annual average salary of $40,596; South Charleston, with an annual average salary of $37,765; and Weirton, with an annual average salary of $37,136.

It is also worth mentioning that the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates a 15% growth in the employment rate for medical assistants nationwide, including in West Virginia, over the next 10 years.