Medical Assistant Schools in Tennessee

Interested individuals who are residents of Tennessee and want to pursue a medical assistant career must consider several concentrations. These include how to secure admission into the best programs, specific training arrangements, and possible licensing and certification options.

The purpose of the guide on this page is to introduce candidates to all of these requirements and more. We also break down some top-quality training programs offering robust training and certification pathways for interested candidates in the state.

Lastly, readers will learn about the annual average salary projection of medical assistants in Tennessee and the factors that influence these figures.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Tennessee

The following are the steps to consider as a prospective medical assistant in Tennessee.

Skills and Basic Education

Medical assistants possess hard skills and soft skills. In the beginning, candidates may work on cultivating soft skills like communication, empathy, attention to detail, and analytical skills. For their basic education, they are expected to have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.

Choosing a Training Institute

Several medical assistant training programs in Tennessee have varying durations and destinations. Some allow candidates to learn online, some choose an in-person style, and some combine both in a hybrid approach.

Candidates may also go for different awards, including an associate degree or a certificate. The specific program duration will typically depend on the award.

Certificate programs last 6 months to 1 year, and associate degree programs last 18 months to a couple of years. Readers will find a list of quality, accredited programs to consider in an upcoming list.

Finding Employment

Trained medical assistants can work in outpatient facilities, schools, laboratories, and hospitals.

One of the reasons why it is important to attend a great training program is that some will even provide job placement opportunities for graduates.

Continuing Education

There is always a chance to learn more and acquire more skills as a medical assistant. Once they secure entry-level positions, candidates in Tennessee can choose to specialize and study to become nurses, physical assistants, surgical technicians, and project managers, among others.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a plumber in Tennessee

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Firstly, neither licensing nor certification is compulsory for a medical assistant in Tennessee. Typically, anybody who is properly trained can secure employment in a medical establishment and start their careers professionally.

However, given the competition in the field, candidates can stand out and give themselves. Certification is one of the most effective ways to do this.

The most common approach to becoming certified is to graduate from a training program, apply for a certification examination, and pass it. The American Association of Medical Assistants and the American Medical Technologists are two highly rated organizations that follow this approach.

It is also worth pointing out that candidates, even after becoming certified, must renew their credentials by participating in continuing education.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in Tennessee

The institutions below all have prominent medical assistant programs in Tennessee.

Explore medical assistant schools in Tennessee by city:

• Medical assistant schools in Nashville

Salary & Career Outlook

The average annual salary of medical assistants in Tennessee is $42,136, which is consistent with the average across the nation. However, candidates are obviously not confined to earning in this range alone.

For instance, medical assistants in the state commonly make an annual average salary of around $55,687, which puts them among the top 10 percent. However, when they start their careers, professionals can also make an annual average salary of $31,882, which puts them among the bottom 10 percent.

Data shows that factors like experience, credentials, and work environment help medical assistants move from one end of the salary spectrum to another in Tennessee. Location is another criterion that can’t be dismissed.

In this regard, the highest-paying cities for medical assistants in Tennessee are Nashville, with an annual average salary of $49,979; Mount Juliet, with an annual average salary of $48,121; and Hermitage, with an annual average salary of $46,673.

Brentwood, with an annual average salary of $46,582, and Franklin, with an annual average salary of $46,257, are also among the top five.