Medical Assistant Schools in North Dakota

As an aspiring medical assistant in North Dakota, attending a high-quality training program is crucial. However, this is definitely not the only crucial aspect of the process.

Candidates would do well to gain a clear picture of all the major aspects and considerations involved in entering into this profession before they start.

Thankfully, we explore this in great detail below. We focus on the fundamental steps candidates need to take to secure admission into the best training programs before analyzing possible training avenues and specific institutions with the best arrangements.

The guide also covers licensing and certification options, salary projection, and career outlook, among others.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in North Dakota

Below is a step-by-step guide covering how to become a medical assistant in North Dakota.

High School Education

A high school education is crucial to becoming a medical assistant, as it lays a foundation in basic science and biology. Candidates who don’t have a high school diploma can still use a GED equivalent to secure admission into prominent training programs.

Choosing & Completing a Training Program

Affluent medical assistants in North Dakota must choose a training program accredited by a prominent organization. Both CAAHEP and ABHES are considered the gold standard for accreditation of medical assistant programs and schools.

Among other things, institutions and programs that these organizations accredit operate at a high standard and will allow candidates to pick up important credentials.

Depending on how long they are willing to spend in training, prospective medical assistants can choose a certificate program or an associate degree program.

Specialization

Medical assistants can specialize as clinical or administrative personnel. They can also specialize in specific physician offices, including OBGYN and physical therapy offices.

Career Advancement

Lastly, medical assistants are advised to participate in continuing education to improve their careers. They may also pivot into other fields, such as nursing, phlebotomy, and EKG technology.

The certification steps below can also contribute significantly to career advancements.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a travel agent in North Dakota

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Joining a professional organization and becoming a certified medical assistant in North Dakota is the best way to enjoy networking opportunities and continuing education. The Association of Medical Assistants has a Coffersified Medical Assistant credential that is well-rated by professionals in this field nationwide graduating from an accredited training program; candidates can apply for this credential by paying the $125 application fee and passing the professional exam. They are expected to renew their credentials periodically to remain certified medical assistants.

The American Medical Technologists and the National Healthcare Association are amazing substitutes for additional credentials. The former offers the Registered Medical Assistant credential, while the latter offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credential.

The process of becoming certified here is similar to that of the AAMA.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in North Dakota

The following programs are among the best for future medical assistants in North Dakota.

Explore medical assistant schools in North Dakota by city:

• Medical assistant schools in Fargo

Salary & Career Outlook

As a medical assistant in North Dakota, particularly for those just starting, the annual average salary may depend on specific locations within the state. Data shows the following places to be the most favorable:

• Ellendale, with an annual average salary of $65,560;
• Jamestown, with an annual average salary of $53,349;
• Watford City, with an annual average salary of $47,826 and
• Fargo, with an annual average salary of $46,688.

Of course, location is not the only factor worth considering. Experience, specialty, and work environment also play a role.

Analyzing the average annual salary of medical assistants in North Dakota on a general basis, we find that the median earners manage an average annual salary of $46,099, and the low-level earners manage an average annual salary of $35,520.

The highest-paid medical assistants in North Dakota (who are among the top 10%) will be able to receive an annual average salary of around $59,827.

The BLS expects a sustained 15% increase in the employment rate of medical assistants over the next 10 years.