Nevada Accredited Medical Assistant Schools and Programs

Nevada is best known for the gambling city of Las Vegas. In addition to many bustling communities, Nevada also offers rural areas and many recreation and vacation opportunities. Nevada is a great state for medical employment. Medical assistants can choose from busy metro healthcare employment, such as in Las Vegas, or a slower-paced environment in a suburban or rural area.

The top cities to work as a medical assistant in Nevada are:

• Las Vegas
• Carson City
• Reno
• Henderson

Nevada has several medical assisting schools to choose from. When interviewing schools, be sure to ask about medical assisting certification. Certification is important for showing competency in your field and is becoming highly preferred by physicians. There are many certifications to choose from, though the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) designation through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is the most common.

Nevada Medical Assistant Certification Requirements

Medical Assistants are often one of the first healthcare workers a patient will encounter upon entering a medical office. Contrasting sharply with other allied healthcare professionals, MAs are not required by state or federal law to hold an institutionally recognized certification to practice in the field. However, MAs will find that gaining certification can boost career prospects.

The two most legitimate and widely recognized certifications available to medical assistants are:

1. The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential, which has its certification exam administered through The American Medical Technologists (AMT)
2. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, which has its certification exam administered through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Certification I: The AMMA’s Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

Individuals who are seeking the CMA credential will need to have satisfied the following requirements before they’re eligible to take the certification exam which is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA):

• Provide proper documentation of having successfully completed a medical assistant program with the following attributes:

1. Holds accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
2. Consists of clinical and theoretical components
3. Introduces students to clinical and administrative topics which include but aren’t limited to medical terminology, computer competency, clinical and diagnostic procedures, medication administration, medical law & ethics, record keeping and accounting, and human and anatomy
4. CMAs must renew their credentials every 60 months by passing an exam or by collecting a certain amount of continuing education credits

Certification II: The AMT’s Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

Individuals who are seeking the RMA credential will need to have fulfilled the following requirements before they’re eligible to take the certification exam which is administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT):

• Pathway I: Successfully complete a medical assistant program that has the following attributes:
  • Holds accreditations from agencies that have the sanctioned by the following institutions:
    • The Council for Higher Education Accreditation
    • American Medical Technologists Board of Director
    • The US Department of Education
  • Made up of at least 880 total contact hours: 720 hours of theoretical instruction in an online or classroom setting and 160 hours of supervised, real-world clinical training at a medical office
• Pathway II: Successfully complete a medical assistant program through the US Armed Forces made up of no less than 880 total contact: 720 hours of in-class/online theoretical instruction and 160 hours of supervised, real-world clinical training at a medical office or facility
• Pathway III: Provide proper documentation of having prior work experience as a medical assistant program instructor:
  • Have at least 5 years of experience working as a medical assistant program instructor OR at least one year of instructing experience combined with three or more years of experience working in the field
• Pathway IV: Provide proper documentation of having been previously employed as a medical assistant for 5 of the last 7 years, performing both administrative and clinical duties

List of Nevada Medical Assisting Programs

1. Northwest Career College

Locations: Las Vegas

Students at Northwest Career College can earn a diploma in medical assisting. This course may be taken full-time or part-time, and evening classes are available. The physician-developed program combines instruction by classroom lectures, laboratory practice, front-office computer-based training, and simulated medical back office proficiency exams. Students are prepared with the classroom and hands-on training needed to work in nearly any type of medical facility. An externship is required, and graduates may sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam.

2. Career College of Northern Nevada

Locations: Reno

Career College of Northern Nevada offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in medical assisting. The school points out that students pursuing an advanced medical assisting degree, versus a certificate or diploma, often have better job opportunities to choose from. This course may be completed in 78 weeks or 19 months. Students learn a combination of administrative and advanced clinical procedures during the course, and graduates may be eligible for certification.

3. College of Southern Nevada

Locations: Las Vegas

The College of Southern Nevada offers a certificate in medical assisting. The course consists of 42 credits and may be completed in about one year. Students learn a combination of clinical and administrative skills, including medical billing and insurance. Clinical skills include phlebotomy, patient examination, pharmacology, and medication administration. Students must complete a medical externship at an approved medical facility prior to graduation. Prerequisites may be required for admission to the program. Graduates may be eligible for certification exams.

4. Pima Medical Institute

Location: Las Vegas

Students at Pima Medical Institute may earn a certificate in medical assisting. The course offers focused instruction in human anatomy, clinical procedures and skills, pharmacology, laboratory procedures and administration, and medical billing. Students can complete the course in one year or less. Graduates may be able to sit for certification exams upon program completion.

5. Carrington College

Location: Reno, Las Vegas.

Carrington College is a private, for-profit that offers both a Medical Assistant Certificate program that can be completed in less than a year, and a two-year associate’s degree program. Both programs prepare students for a future entry-level career in the healthcare field. The programs, which consist of lectures, lab practice, and a clinical externship, focus on both front office administrative responsibilities as well as clinical responsibilities. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits Carrington College’s Medical Assistant programs.

Article Written by Rachel Dennis

Rachel Dennis works as both a professional writer and health care provider. She has been a licensed health care provider since 1998, with work experience as a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant and emergency medical technician. She has been writing since 1994 and has been published both on-line and in print.

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