Medical Assistant Schools in Missouri

As a medical assistant in Missouri, the majority of one’s time will be spent helping the medical establishment function smoothly by maintaining proper records, scheduling appointments, taking vital signs, assisting with patient examinations, and sterilizing medical equipment.

Of course, professionals in this field are not limited to one work environment, and their duties may reflect that environment. Regardless of their specific focus area, though, there are certain steps that all individuals must take to become thriving medical assistants in Missouri. We analyze all of them below.

By the time they finish with the page, readers will understand qualification prerequisites, training options, certification alternatives, and more.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Missouri

The guidelines below have been used to launch numerous successful medical assistant careers in Missouri.

Basic Age & Educational Requirements

A high school diploma or GED equivalent is the basic educational requirement to become a medical assistant in Missouri. As for the minimum age, most training programs will ask that candidates must be at least 18 years old by the first day of class.

Medical Assisting Training

A medical assistant program will help candidates understand laboratory procedures and other crucial duties. Candidates are expected to attend a program that is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Another prominent body is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The list below includes some wonderful accredited programs to consider.

It is also worth noting that some medical assistant programs can be completed in a few months, after which candidates will leave with a certificate. Others are designed as associate degree programs, requiring 2 years of education.

Real-World Training

Externships are the most popular way for medical assistants to receive training “on the job” before they secure actual placement in a medical establishment. Volunteering is another approach to this.

Additionally, candidates who have access to specific medical establishments can apply for full-time training without completing an academic program.

Employment & Career Growth Opportunities

Lastly, after education, hands-on experience, and specialty focus, candidates can proceed to secure full-time job placement and continue to launch their careers through certification. The next section discusses this issue more deeply.

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

Medical assistants in Missouri who want to become certified may consider the Certified Medical Assistant credential. This is the most popular credential, and candidates can earn it even without prior experience on the job as long as they graduate from an accredited program.

American Medical Technologists offer a Registered Medical Assistant credential to those with some years of experience. Notably, professionals in the field can also pursue a host of other nationally recognized credentials, such as the Certified Medical Assistant and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credentials.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in Missouri

Candidates may enroll in any of the following programs to launch their medical assistant career in Missouri:

Explore medical assistant schools in Missouri by city:

• Medical assistant schools in Kansas City

Salary & Career Outlook

Analyzing the best places to work as a medical assistant in Missouri, data reveals that Chesterfield holds the top place thanks to an annual average salary of $46,896 for professionals in this field. Candidates who are interested in other highly rated places may consider Lees Summit, which has an average annual salary of $46,800 for medical assistants, and Kansas City, which has an average annual salary of $46,737.

Location, of course, is not the only reason why candidates may earn more than others in the field. A professional’s experience level, credentials, and work environment also greatly determine how much they end up with at the end of each year.

Without focusing too much on one specific criterion over the other, data shows that the general salary expectations for medical assistants in Missouri can be divided into three broad categories.

The first category consists of the highest-paid, taking home an annual average salary of $55,992, and the second category contains the lowest-paid, who earn an annual average salary of $36,027.

Most medical assistants in Missouri fall into the third category, which includes the median earners, who earn an annual average salary of $44,913.