Medical Assistant Schools in Rhode Island

Medical assistants in Rhode Island must adhere to specific standards and ethical considerations throughout their careers. This is one reason candidates are given guidelines when entering this discipline.

Below, we provide an in-depth look at the steps and requirements of this guideline. Readers will understand what they need to do to secure admission into a training program, the kinds of training programs that are best suited to their schedules, and possible certification steps for career opportunities.

Before rounding up, we also analyze the best training programs and possible annual average salary figures depending on key factors.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Rhode Island

Candidates can follow the steps below to launch a successful medical assistant career in Rhode Island.

Basic Requirements

The basic requirements to become a medical assistant in Rhode Island may vary depending on training programs and employers. However, the most common conditions are immunization records, a high school diploma, and a minimum age of 18.

Choosing a Training Approach

Aspiring medical assistants in Rhode Island may cultivate any of the approaches below to get their education:

• In-person Training: Academic training programs for medical assistants sometimes insist on a 100% in-person training style. This means that all coursework must be completed on campus under the supervision of qualified instructors.
  
• Online Training: Prospective medical assistants who desire a great deal of flexibility in their training may choose academic medical assistant programs that can be completed entirely online.
  
• Hybrid Education—Unsurprisingly, many medical assistant programs combine in-person and online training through a hybrid approach. This way, candidates can complete the theoretical aspect of their training online and the practical aspect in person.
  
• On-the-Job Training - lastly, it is also possible to receive medical assistant education “on the job” without going through academic training.

Those who choose this approach have to be willing to forgo the benefits of attending an accredited academic program.

Employment, Continuing Education, & Certification

Once properly trained, regardless of their training approach, candidates in Rhode Island can proceed to secure job placement in a medical establishment. Continuing education and certification (as described below) can also be very effective for career opportunities.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a plumber in Rhode Island

Licensure & Certification Requirements

When it comes to licensing and certification, medical assistants in Rhode Island should know that there is no law mandating that they become licensed or certified before they can secure employment. However, employers have the prerogative to choose, or rather prioritize, certified medical assistants over those who are not certified.

This is the major reason why candidates choose to become certified, along with other benefits like networking and potentially higher salaries.

Some prominent credentials to consider as a medical assistant in Rhode Island are the Certified Medical Assistant credential — issued by the American Association of Medical Assistants, and the Registered Medical Assistant credential — issued by the American Medical Technologists.

The National Healthcareer Associations issue the National Healthcareer Association issues Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credential to candidates with a clinical focus. The association also offers a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant credential for those looking to enter administrative medical assisting.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in Rhode Island

These are some of the most prominent medical assistant training programs in Rhode Island.

Explore medical assistant schools in Rhode Island by city:

• Medical assistant schools in Providence

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary of a medical assistant in Rhode Island can be as high as $57,350. However, this figure is only appropriate for the top 10 percent.

Professionals in the field can qualify for this category if they have already acquired some experience in the field. Of course, factors like credentials, a specific work environment, and the establishment of employment can also help professionals improve their yearly earnings without having to spend too long on the job.

However, before they do so, medical assistants in Rhode Island must start their careers with an annual average salary of $39,846 in the bottom 10 percent or $47,803 in the median earning category.

A medical assistant’s salary can also vary depending on the specific location in a state. In Rhode Island, medical assistants in Providence are the highest-paid, with an average annual salary of $49,739.

Also notable are those who work in Narragansett and Warwick, with annual average salaries of $48,211 and $48,114, respectively.