Medical Assistant Schools in Michigan

A medical assistant in Michigan must begin by acquiring the technical skills needed to perform their duties at a high level. These duties usually include drawing blood, operating medical equipment, and performing various administrative tasks.

Even though acquiring technical skills is the most important part of the process, there are still many other considerations for candidates to make on the journey to becoming successful medical assistants in Michigan. This article aims to introduce residents to all of these considerations.

Readers will discover the educational prerequisites, types of training programs, soft and hard skills, and approaches to securing career growth opportunities.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Michigan

Below are the steps required to become a medical assistant in Michigan.

Graduating from an Approved Training Program

Completing an approved training program is the best way to start as a medical assistant in Michigan. This makes employment easier and helps candidates qualify for professional certification.

CAAHEP and ABHES are the organizations responsible for accrediting medical assistant training programs nationwide. Candidates can complete their training quicker by attending a certificate program (9 – 12 months) or spending more time acquiring an associate degree (18 - 24 months).

Ultimately, candidates must learn relevant topics and be well-prepared to demonstrate what they’ve been taught in a clinical environment.

Receiving Hands-On Training

The convention is for medical assistants to participate in externships for hands-on training. Several training programs already provide such training in their curriculum.

For those who don’t, it is still possible to secure hands-on training opportunities even without the help of a training program.

Several medical assistants are eventually permanently retained at the same establishment where they completed their externships.

Job Placement & Career Growth

Medical assistants in Michigan who have completed their training programs may proceed to secure employment. Joining a professional organization like the Michigan Society of Medical Assistants may simplify the process.

Candidates can also consider earning national certification for career growth.

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• How to become a travel agent in Michigan

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Earning national certification is optional for medical assistants in Michigan. However, it is still a common practice anyway because it offers many benefits that take work to pay attention to.

For instance, nationally-certified medical assistants are typically more employable and enjoy access to professional resources.

The following are some of the most prominent credentials offered to professionals in Michigan and across the country.

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential — offered by the National Healthcareer Association.
• National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credential — offered by the National Center for Competency Testing.
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential — offered by the American Medical Technologists and the
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential — offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in Michigan

Prospective medical assistants in Michigan may consider the programs below for their comprehensive training.

Explore medical assistant schools in Michigan by city:

• Medical assistant schools in Detroit

Salary & Career Outlook

Several factors influence the annual average salary of medical assistants in Michigan. Professionals in this field may fall into the top category of the highest-paid in the state or the average category for the mid-range earners. Of course, they may also find themselves among the lowest-paid.

The top 10 percent earn an annual average salary of $54,850, while the middle 10 percent earn an annual average salary of $43,193. The bottom 10 percent still manage an annual average salary of $34,012.

Location is one of the responsible factors, as are experience and employer. The best places in Michigan where medical assistants earn the highest annual average include Pontiac, with an annual average salary of $47,800; Clinton Township, with an annual average salary of $44,761; and Warren, with an annual average salary of $42,586.

Kalamazoo and Troy are among the top destinations, with annual average salaries of $41,794 and $41,717, respectively.