Where Can I Find Medical Assisting Career Training in Washington?

Learn about medical assisting training in Washington state. Get information about programs available and admission requirements to make an informed decision about your education. Schools offering Medical Assisting degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

Medical Assisting Certification Requirements in Washington State

In Washington state, you don't have to obtain a license or certification to work as a medical assistant. Voluntary certification is available, and employers may prefer to hire certified medical assistants. The following are examples of certifications available by various organizations:

  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) - American Association of Medical Assistants
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant - National Healthcareer Association
  • National Certified Medical Assistant - National Center for Competency Testing
  • Registered Medical Assistant - American Medical Technologists

Only the CMA program requires the completion of a properly accredited medical assisting program. You must also pass a certification exam. For the other credentials, you just must pass an exam and aren't required to complete a formal education program.

Some medical assistant programs offer training in phlebotomy. If you're a medical assistant in Washington state, you must obtain certification before you can puncture the skin. Washington state has the Health Care Assistant Law (HCA) to facilitate certification. The state outlined six procedural categories and the kind of drug administered, and the requirements (education and experience) to obtain certification at each level.

Salary and Employment Information

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that about 13,000 medical assistants were employed in Washington state as of 2011, and they made a mean salary of about $34,000 at that time. The BLS also stated that medical assistants were expected to see an increase in jobs of 31% from 2010-2020.

Medical Assistant Certificate Programs in Washington

Columbia Basin College

  • Program Name: Medical Assistant Certificate
  • Program Length: One year full-time
  • Tuition: $93.95 per credit for WA residents; $153.93 per credit for non-residents (2011)
  • Prerequisites: Completion of courses in medical terminology, psychology, English, medical office legal aspects and speech essentials
  • Requirements: Completion of 7-hour HIV/AIDS certificate; healthcare provider with CPR/automated external defibrillator (AED) for infants, children and adults card; first aid card; high school diploma; transcripts; ASSET/COMPASS score; college and program applications; self assessment; essay; criminal background check; and immunizations
  • School Type: 4-year, public; close to 7,000 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: Health Sciences Division, MS-R2, 2600 North 20th Ave., Pasco, WA 99301
  • Phone: 509-544-8322

You learn about the administrative duties associated with a medical office, along with patient care and clinical skills. You take courses in human body diseases, function and structure, medical office procedures and administration, pharmacology and clinical procedures. There are also labs and externships.

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

  • Program Name: Medical Assisting Certificate of Proficiency
  • Program Length: Five quarters
  • Tuition: $9,024 per year (tuition and fees 2012-2013)
  • Requirements: Application, assessment test, transcripts
  • School Type: 4-year, public; almost 5,000 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: 11605 132nd Ave. N.E., Kirkland, WA 98034
  • Phone: 425-739-8257

The certificate program includes courses in medical terminology, medical ethics and law, computers, accounting, office practices, lab techniques, medication administration, pharmacology and patient relations. You receive training in both the front and back office of a medical practice. You also complete a practicum to give you hands-on experience working in a doctor's office.

Peninsula College

  • Program Name: Medical Assistant Certificate
  • Program Length: One year full-time
  • Field of Study Options: Medical transcription
  • Tuition: $1,244.80 summer semester for WA residents; $1,154.04 fall semester for WA residents; and $1,335.56 winter and spring semesters for WA residents; $1,378.25 summer semester for non residents; $1,286.11 fall semester for non residents; and $1,470.39 winter and spring semesters for non residents (2011-2012)
  • Prerequisites: College-level math and English skills prior to beginning computation and communication courses
  • Requirements: Application and transcripts
  • School Type: 4-year, public; roughly 3,000 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, WA 98362
  • Phone: 360-417-6465

This certificate program explores healthcare skills in phlebotomy and electrocardiography, as well as how to take vital signs. Courses include medical accounting, office procedures in a medical office, medical billing, pharmacology and clinical anatomy. You also take seminars in clinical labs, along with completing a practicum.

Medical Assistant Associate's Degree Programs in Washington

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

  • Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
  • Program Length: Two years full-time
  • Tuition: $9,506 per year (tuition and fees 2012-2013)
  • Requirements: Application, assessment test, transcripts
  • School Type: 4-year, public; almost 5,000 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: 11605 132nd Ave. N.E., Kirkland, WA 98034
  • Phone: 425-739-8257

This 90-credit program includes classes in patient care, office procedures, medical coding and billing, pharmacology, medical terminology and anatomy. You also develop communication skills that can help you in dealing with the variety of individuals you meet in your job. You put your skills to the test in labs, clinical and in a practicum, generally in a doctor's office.

Olympic College

  • Program Name: Associate in Applied Science - Transfer in Medical Assisting
  • Program Length: Two years full-time
  • Tuition: $7,371 per year (2010; including estimated tuition and fees)
  • Prerequisites: Placements tests in math and English
  • Requirements: Liability and malpractice insurance, immunizations and background check
  • School Type: 4-year, public; nearly 8,000 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: 1600 Chester Ave., Bremerton, WA 98337
  • Phone: 360-475-7741

Upon completing this degree program, you may transfer to a 4-year institution. The program includes classes and a field experience. You take courses in healthcare calculations, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, billing, coding and diversity management.

Peninsula College

  • Program Name: Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science
  • Field of Study Options: Medical transcription
  • Program Length: Two years full-time
  • Tuition: $1,244.80 summer semester for WA residents; $1,380.94 fall/1 semester for WA residents; $1,335.56 winter/1 and spring/1 semesters for WA residents; $1,063.28 fall/2 semester; $1,244.80 winter/2 semester for WA residents; $1,378.25 summer semester for non residents; $1,516.46 fall/1 semester for non residents; $1,470.39 winter/1 and spring/1 semesters for non residents; $1,193.97 fall/2 semester; $1,378.25 winter/2 semester for non residents (2011-2012)
  • Prerequisites: College-level math and English skills prior to beginning computation and communication courses
  • Requirements: Application and transcripts
  • School Type: 4-year, public; over 3,000 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, WA 98362
  • Phone: 360-417-6465

The associate's degree in medical assistant program teaches you about confidentiality and privacy laws, electronic billing and fundamental medical testing methods. You also learn about medical terminology, finance, accounting, infectious diseases, chemistry, first aid and psychology. You must complete clinical labs and a practicum.

To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:

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