Washington Accredited Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
If you love to hike, camp, or fish among majestic mountains and deep forests, you may be drawn to Washington, one of the most beautiful states in the Pacific Northwest. A large percentage of the state’s residents live in the Seattle metropolitan area, a center of technological development and culture along the Puget Sound. After graduating from a medical assistant school in Washington, you’ll find promising career opportunities in some of the state’s large cities:
- Bellevue
- Everett
- Seattle
- Tacoma
- Yakima
In addition to offering stunning scenery and a wealth of cultural attractions, Washington is one of the highest-paying states for medical assistants, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. When it comes to non-metropolitan areas, Central Washington has been recognized as one of the highest-paying regions in the country for this profession. As you plan your career, think about whether a certificate, diploma, or associate degree in medical assisting best fits your career goals.
List of Washington Medical Assisting Programs
1. Carrington College
Location: Spokane
If you’re passionate about helping others and you’re fascinated by the health sciences, Carrington College’s Certificate in Medical Assisting program could be the fastest way to jump-start your new career. At Carrington, you’ll learn how to be a successful medical assistant through a combination of classroom teaching, clinical coursework, and a hands-on externship. Many students finish the program, which is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, within nine months. After earning your certificate, you will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) examination.
2. Clover Park Technical College
Location: Lakewood
Educating students since 1942, Clover Park Technical College maintains a tradition of excellence in teaching. The college’s Medical Assisting Program (MAP) leads to a Certificate of Completion and prepares graduates to take the CMA exam. Although many Washington employers don’t require certification, having the CMA credential can open up more professional doors. Clover Park’s certificate program in medical assisting is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The MAP takes approximately 15 months to complete.
3. North Seattle College
Location: Seattle (Northgate Area)
North Seattle College has a self-paced, modular program that leads to a Certificate in Medical Assisting. In addition to its standard certification option, North Seattle offers several short certificate programs for students who want to supplement their education or for working medical assistants who want to advance professionally. In this fully accredited program, students can begin taking modular courses during any given quarter and can take as many courses as their schedules allow. Traditional classroom instruction is enhanced with online instruction to provide even more flexibility.
4. Renton Technical College
Location: Renton
At Renton Technical College, students can complete a Certificate or an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting. To earn certification, students will learn essential clinical skills like phlebotomy, EKG technology, specimen processing, patient examination, and assistance with minor surgical procedures. Students also learn front-office skills like billing and medical information management. Completing the certificate program is a prerequisite for advancing to the associate degree track. The goals of these accredited programs include passing the National Medical Certification Exam with a score over 80%.
5. South Puget Sound Community College
Location: Olympia
Weighing the benefits of a certificate versus an associate degree is one of the important steps in your search for an accredited medical assistant school. At South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), you can take your education in either direction. The Certificate of Completion in Medical Assisting is awarded to SPSCC students who finish the basic curriculum in clinical and administrative medical assisting courses. A 200-hour field experience is required to give you “real world” experience in this challenging profession. The average completion time for the certificate program is 12 months. The Associate in Applied Science Degree is awarded to students who complete additional general education credits.
6. Yakima Valley Community College
Location: Yakima
The Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC) Medical Assisting program can lead to a certificate or an associate degree. Both tracks are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Full-time students can finish the certificate program in four quarters of study. By taking an additional 28 credits, students can graduate with an associate degree. YVCC students prepare themselves to work in a fast-paced medical environment by participating in clinical simulations through the school’s Allied Health Laboratory. They then hone their psychomotor skills with clinical experiences in doctor’s offices and clinics in the Yakima area. Online classes and part-time study options may appeal to students who need a flexible academic schedule.
7. Clark College
Location: Vancouver
Clark College is a two-year public city college in Vancouver which offers a Medical Assisting certificate program that can be completed in about year. The program combines in-class lecture, hands-on lab practice, and a clinical externship at a local hospital to ready its students for future careers as medical assistants. CC’s Medical Assisting program teaches its students both front-office administrative and back-office clinical responsibilities. In total, students can expect to pay between $4,200 and $5,000 to enroll in the program. In the past five years, CC’s Medical Assisting certificate program has boasted a graduate satisfaction rate of 98 percent, an average retention rate of 87 percent, and an employer satisfaction rate of 100 percent.
8. Columbia Basin College
Location: Pasco
Columbia Basin College is a public community college that’s been serving the tri-cities and surrounding communities since 1955. Students can choose from two separate CAAHEP accredited medical assisting programs: a two-year, 95 semester credit Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting (A.A.S.) or a one-year, 75 semester credit Medical Assistant Certificate program. Both programs will cover core courses like Pharmacology, Human Biology, Clinical Procedures, and others. The program combines traditional lecture, hands-on lab experiences, and a clinical externship at a local healthcare facility. In the past five years, CBC reports that 90 percent of its medical assistant graduates have been successful in finding a job.
9. Big Bend Community College
Location: Moses Lake
Big Bend Community College is a public two-year community college that offers a Certificate of Achievement for Medical Assisting as well as an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting (A.A.S.) In total, the program can be completed in three quarters of coursework follow by a 198-hour clinical externship. Students thinking about enrolling in the program can expect to pay around $7,600.
10. Centralia College
Location: Centralia
Centralia College is a two-year, public community college that offers an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting (A.A.S.). The 91-credit program, which includes face-to-face lectures, supplemental textbook reading, lab practice, and a clinical externship, is generally completed in two years. Some courses that students will encounter during the program include Medical Terminology, Medical Law & Ethics, and others.
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.
While this is not indicative of the numbers that are tied to the medical assistant program, it does show that the college prepares its students for success in whatever career they pursue. With a range of associate, bachelor and graduate degree, the associate’s of science in medical assisting could be just the start of a better future for you and your family.