Medical Assistant Schools in South Dakota

Medical assistants in South Dakota can choose an area of specialization. However, most candidates in the field can perform a wide range of tasks, from office administration and patient interaction to inventory management and laboratory procedures.

The following guide outlines everything an interested individual must know to start a medical assistant career in South Dakota and to do so on the best possible path. We focus on the basic prerequisites, educational options, and specific programs.

We also review licensing and certification considerations, along with salary projections based on a few important criteria.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in South Dakota

Aspiring medical assistants in South Dakota would do well to start their careers following the pathway below.

Preparation

To prepare for training and potential employment, Candidates may prepare documents like their high school diploma or GED, which are needed to secure admission into a training program. Some programs and employers may also require applicants to be at least 18 years old and provide immunization records.

Training

Arguably, the most important step in developing expertise as a medical assistant in South Dakota is completing an accredited training program. However, candidates are not limited to multi-year programs; they can also choose certificate programs that can be completed in a few months.

Candidates also have a great deal of liberty regarding their particular training style and location. For instance, while some medical assistant programs insist on campus-only training, many others allow candidates to complete their coursework online (or at least the theoretical part).

Some also adopt a hybrid approach with both online and in-person learning arrangements.

Career Possibilities

After training, medical assistants in South Dakota can secure employment. They may also consider their career possibilities.

The first place to begin is continuing education. After this, they may consider entering related fields like nursing and EKG technology. Candidates can also leverage certification organizations, such as the ones listed below, to improve their career prospects as medical assistants.

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

Certification can be an important and effective way to improve career prospects as a medical assistant in South Dakota. It can help candidates increase their yearly earnings and secure job placement at top institutions. Certification can also help them improve their skills and network with professionals in the field.

Candidates may consider the National Healthcareer Association, American Association of Medical Assistants, or American Medical Technologists for prominent certifications. To qualify for these credentials, candidates must complete an accredited program.

The Certified Medical Assistant and Registered Medical Assistant credential from the AAMA and AMT, respectively, require application fees of $125 and $120. They also require passing scores in a professional examination and continuing education credits for periodic credential renewal.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in South Dakota

All of the entries on the following list boast strong training programs for future medical assistants in South Dakota.

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Salary & Career Outlook

In South Dakota, the annual average salary of a medical assistant is $41,966 in the lowest-earning category, $69,471 in the highest-earning category, and $53,995 in the median category. Naturally, most professionals in the field are clustered near the median category.

Leveraging their experience and credentials, it is possible for candidates to rapidly move from one of the lower-earning ranges to the high-paying categories. Furthermore, factors like work environment and location can also be very important.

Regarding the last point, medical assistants in Platte are the highest-paid in South Dakota, with an average annual salary of $67,738. They are followed by those in Pine Ridge, with an average annual salary of $67,467, and those in Rapid City, with an average annual salary of $54,630.

Looking forward, the employment rate of medical assistants nationwide is set to increase by 15% year over year over the coming decade.