The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects rapid growth in the demand for medical assistants in Indiana. This will lead to a 15% increase compared to the current rate for at least 10 years.
Many individuals will naturally be able to use this opportunity to enter the allied healthcare profession, continue acquiring more advanced skills on the job, and rise to a higher position in the industry.
Of course, the journey begins with a clear understanding of the process of launching a medical assistant career in Indiana.
The following guide covers this process from beginning to end. It also reveals some destinations to attend when searching for robust medical assistant education as an Indiana resident.
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Indiana
The following are some established guidelines for starting a medical assistant career in Indiana.
Soft Skills
Becoming a medical assistant in Indiana requires soft skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and an analytical mindset. Because these professionals represent a medical establishment to patients, strong interpersonal and communication skills are also required.
Training Arrangements
For their training, prospective medical assistants have to acquire academic training and real-world experience.
- Academic Programs - The portion of the classroom that is required to become a medical assistant is achieved by attending an academic program. Candidates would do well to attend programs accredited by either the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- Real-World Learning: Candidates still have to master classroom topics in a real-world environment, which is why real-world learning is necessary to becoming successful medical assistants.
Externships are the most common way to acquire this level of expertise.
Entry-Level Employment & Specialization
As we discuss in depth in the next section, securing entry-level employment as a medical assistant in Indiana is possible immediately after training. Candidates may choose to specialize for better focus for clinical medical assistants, which may include cardiology, geriatrics, ophthalmology, and family practice, among others.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
In Indiana, it is possible to start working immediately after completing a medical assistant training program. The state does not designate licensing requirements for professionals in this field.
The state does not designate certification, either, but pursuing one is extremely popular because it helps candidates develop technically and professionally.
As for the prominent organizations to consult for certification, they include:
- The Registered Medical Assistant credential from the American Medical Technologists;
- The Certified Medical Assistant credential from the American Association of Medical Assistants and the
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credential from the National Healthcareer Association.
All of these credentials require passing a professional examination. Candidates must also pay an application fee and periodically renew their credentials.
Top Medical Assistant Schools in Indiana
Below are some notable programs that can help you acquire a medical assistant education in Indiana.
Indiana University Health
Indianapolis, IN Campus + Online
Indiana University Health offers one of the best medical assistant programs in the state. This 9-week accelerated program includes 140 hours of classroom training and 160 hours of clinical practicum.
Tuition
FreeContact
(888) 484-3258
MAEdProgram@iuhealth.org
Indiana School of Phlebotomy
Indianapolis, IN Campus Only
Indiana School of Phlebotomy’s 11-week in-person clinical medical assistant program covers EKG administration, patient prep, pharmacology, phlebotomy, and safety practices.
Tuition
$1,000 per ProgramContact
(317) 759-3729
info@indianaphlebotomy.com
Indiana University South Bend
Online, IN Online Only
Residents of Indiana University South Bend can participate in an online program that prepares students for certification from the National Healthcareer Association.
Tuition
$2,795 - $2,890 per ProgramContact
(855) 520-6806
Explore medical assistant schools in Indiana by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
The growth rate for medical assisting in Indiana and across the country is very positive. The 15% projected increase in employment rate trumps the average projection for other occupations, making the field one of the fastest-growing in the country.
Once they begin their professional career, a medical assistant in Indiana can earn an annual average salary of $34,808. They can quickly scale this to an annual average salary of $44,419, moving them to the average earning range before ultimately managing an annual average salary of $56,683—which is the figure relevant for the highest-paid medical assistants in the state.
As important as experience is in influencing the annual average salary of a medical assistant in Indiana, this is not the only relevant factor. Location can also be quite significant.
A survey of medical assistants in Indianapolis showed the following cities to be the highest-paying for professionals in this field;
- South Bend, with an annual average salary of $51,233;
- Crown Point, with an annual average salary of $47,722;
- Indianapolis, with an annual average salary of $45,173 and
- Fort Wayne, with an annual average salary of $43,972.