Medical Assistant Schools in Washington

The demand for medical assistants continues to rise in Washington. All kinds of medical establishments in the state require their expertise in administrative and clinical duties.

As it happens, becoming a medical assistant in Washington is a straightforward process. Candidates have to fulfill some basic requirements, acquire proper training, and consider licensing and certification.

The guide below provides a step-by-step analysis of how to meet the prerequisite requirements and complete proper training. It also examines some high-quality training programs and provides salary projections along the way.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Washington

Residents of Washington can follow the steps below to launch a successful medical assistant career in the state.

Preparatory Steps

The preparatory steps to becoming a medical assistant in Washington include having a high school diploma and developing soft skills, from decisiveness and attention to detail to quick thinking and effective communication.

Applicants without a high school diploma may use a GED equivalent to secure admission into a proper medical assistant training program.

Classroom Education

Prospective medical assistants in Washington who want to begin their careers as quickly as possible can enroll in a Medical Assistant Certificate program that can be completed in 9 months. Those who are more concerned about extensive education can choose associate degree programs that last 2 years.

Either of these will be enough to secure entry-level employment and continue to develop on the job.

Hands-On Education

To transition from training to professional practice, candidates must complete real-world training. Externships offered through their programs allow medical assistants to gain practical experience and apply their skills in a healthcare setting.

Career Development

Several medical establishments are willing to offer employment to well-trained medical assistants. Some may even allow candidates to focus on either administrative or clinical duties.

Professionals in the field are expected to keep improving to remain competitive. Certification is an excellent way to achieve this.

Explore trades with similar paths:

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

New medical assistants in Washington should pay close attention to certification. Although they don’t necessarily have to be certified according to the laws, they should do so simply because it is an effective way to remain competitive when starting a career.

Several prominent organizations are willing to offer certification for qualified candidates. In fact, this is one reason individuals are advised to attend a program with the right level of accreditation, which makes certification easier.

Organizations like the American Association of Medical Assistants and the American Medical Technologists all offer certification to professionals in Washington who have graduated from an accredited program. They also require recertification through continuing education for advanced skills acquisition.

Top Medical Assistant Schools in Washington

The following are some of the top training programs for future medical assistants in Washington.

Explore medical assistant schools in Washington by city:

• Medical assistant schools in Seattle

Salary & Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 15% increase in the employment of medical assistants over the next decade. This figure is significantly higher than the average for other occupations in the same time frame.

Regarding current earnings, medical assistants in Washington can earn an annual average salary of $44,829 if they are among the bottom 10 percent, $76,379 if they are among the top 10 percent, and $58,515 if they are among the median earners.

Naturally, the median earners are the most common group.

As one would expect, experience, employers, roles, and credentials influence these numbers. One other notable factor is location.

Currently, Edmonds, Issaquah, and Bellevue are where medical assistants make the most yearly income in Washington. Professionals here manage annual average salaries of $62,631, $62,577, and $ 62,351, respectively.

Medical assistants in Seattle are also notable, with an average annual salary of $60,659.