Medical Assistant Schools in Alaska

Proper training is required to become a successful medical assistant in Alaska. However, individuals must also do everything they can to ensure that they can be competitive when it comes to starting and securing career growth opportunities.

This is why, in the coming sections, we have carefully curated the steps and considerations that candidates must have in mind in order to launch their careers on a strong path. We begin with a breakdown of the various steps necessary to acquire proper education before moving on to the licensing and certification possibilities.

Finally, we analyze some of the best training programs for future medical assistants in Alaska before moving on to the annual average salary projections, which depend on a few important criteria.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Alaska

The considerations below are needed to become a successful medical assistant in Alaska.

High School Diploma or GED

Typically, the lowest educational qualification needed to become a medical assistant is a high school diploma. Training programs and employers commonly require this.

Those who don’t have a high school diploma can use a GED test result.

Skills & Attributes

The skills and attributes to become a successful medical assistant include attention to detail, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, and communication skills. Candidates must also be able to multitask and function in a high-stress environment.

Learning from an Academic Institution

Candidates are expected to attend a training program to improve their clinical and administrative skills. Although this is not mandatory by law, potential employers usually require it.

Medical assistant training programs typically last a few months, after which candidates add a certificate to their resumé. They may also last two years, and graduates typically have an associate degree.

An academic program may incorporate externships into its curriculum, specifically to allow candidates to gain more skills and experience “on the job. “.

Learning On-the-Job

Alaska has several medical establishments willing to provide on-the-job training opportunities for aspiring medical assistants. However, candidates typically choose academic programs first, as this gives them an edge and makes them very competitive.

Still, on-the-job training can be a veritable way to launch a career for those who can take advantage of it. What’s more, those who complete academic programs will also have to complete on-the-job training, which is achieved through an externship.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a plumber in Alaska

Licensure & Certification Requirements

To earn a Certified Medical Assistant designation and enjoy all the benefits that come from doing so, candidates must join a professional organization and pass a certification examination. The American Association of Medical Assistants is one of the most popular, offering the Certified Medical Assistant credential.

Those who want to pursue this credential must graduate from an accredited training program and pay a $125 application fee for the certification examination. The results are usually out in about 10 weeks, after which candidates become officially certified.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in Alaska

The programs below are great for prospective medical assistants in Alaska.

Explore medical assistant schools in Alaska by city:

• Medical assistant schools in Anchorage

Salary & Career Outlook

Homer, with an annual average salary of $69,067, holds the position of being the city where medical assistants in Alaska make the most yearly income on a relative basis. Juneau is another prominent city with an annual average salary of $59,942.

While quite important, the specific location where a medical assistant works in the States is not the only factor that can help influence their annual average returns. Their experience levels, credentials, specific employer, and specialty focus will all play equally important roles.

A survey of medical assistants in Alaska combines all of these factors and shows that the bottom 10 percent make an annual average salary of $42,254. In comparison, the top 10 percent make an annual average salary of $73,081.

The median earners can expect around $55,570 per year.

Regarding future projections and career outlook, the BLS’s data reveal an upcoming 15% year-on-year increase in the employment rate for medical assistants nationwide.