Medical Assistant Schools in Massachusetts

The employment rate for medical assistants in Massachusetts is only going to keep rising. Professionals are needed to replace retiring ones, and the aging population will require well-trained candidates to meet the surge in demand.

This sentiment, of course, is backed up by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts a 15% year-on-year increase for the next decade. Understanding how to start a medical assistant career in Massachusetts is non-negotiable for a resident of the state looking to proceed with this career path.

Knowledge of the best training programs and career outlook will also facilitate optimal preparations. The upcoming sections will explore all these in more detail.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Massachusetts

The following are the steps involved in becoming a proper medical assistant in Massachusetts.

Step 1: Completing a Program

Completing an accredited medical assistant training program in Massachusetts comes with various benefits. For one, candidates will have crucial certificates or associate degrees to leverage for job placement.

They can also pursue certification from prominent organizations that insist on accredited education for certified professionals. In an upcoming section, we will analyze some prominent, accredited training programs for aspiring medical assistants in Massachusetts.

Step 2: Building Experience in the Real World

After completing a training program, candidates are expected to build experience in the real world. In fact, there are several ways to go about this.

A lot of students would have fulfilled this expectation during their time in training, thanks to the provisions for externships. Some may build experience by volunteering.

Lastly, it is also possible to start training as a future medical assistant by focusing on “on-the-job” training. This approach allows candidates to avoid attending an academic program completely.

Of course, these people may not be able to enjoy the benefits of attending an accredited program.

Step 3: Continuing Education & Specialty Focus

There are several continuing education opportunities available to well-trained medical assistants in Massachusetts. These include nursing paths, project management pathways, physical assisting, phlebotomy, and surgical technician, among others.

Explore trades with similar paths:

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

No law in Massachusetts compels medical assistants to be licensed or certified. Candidates focus on becoming certified only for the benefit of professional opportunities and the chance to acquire more skills on the job.

Naturally, after completing all of the steps above—including an accredited program—candidates would have qualified to secure certification from either the American Association of Medical Assistants or the American Medical Technologists.

The process for becoming certified by the AAMA and the AMT is quite similar. First, candidates must show proof that they have completed an accredited training program and then pay an application fee.

The application fee for the AMT is $120, while the AAMA charges $125. Lastly, candidates must pass a professional examination and periodically maintain their credentials.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in Massachusetts

Below are some highly-respected training programs for future medical assistants in Massachusetts to consider.

Explore medical assistant schools in Massachusetts by city:

• Medical assistant schools in Boston

Salary & Career Outlook

As noted earlier, data obtained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the employment rate of medical assistants across the country will continue to increase. Massachusetts is one of the states where candidates in this profession enjoy the highest annual average salary relative to the national average.

Professionals in the field earn an annual average salary of $44,261 at the bottom end of the salary spectrum and $66,864 at the top end. Those in the median category earn an annual average salary of $54,401.

Location is one of the factors that play a significant role in influencing how much a medical assistant earns in Massachusetts, as it is elsewhere. In this regard, Wellesley and Danvers are the places where professionals manage the highest relative earnings at $59,269 and $57,656, respectively.

Also notable are Boston and Framingham, with annual average salaries of $56,093 and $53,534, respectively. Experience, credentials, and employer all play key roles in influencing these figures as well.