Maine Accredited Medical Assistant Schools and Programs

Maine is a beautiful state, rich with natural resources and a profound maritime history. The state draws a large tourist population year-round. Maine offers a combination of rural and urban areas, with healthcare facilities scattered throughout the state. Unlike many other states, medical assistants are utilized in a hospital setting, as well as ambulatory and physician office settings. Popular cities for medical assistant employment in Maine are:

• Portland
• Lewiston
• Bangor

Prospective students have several colleges to choose from for medical assisting education. The majority of colleges offer a two-year degree in medical assisting and most are accredited. Accreditation is important as it allows you to sit for national certification exams through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and others.

Maine Medical Assistant Certification Requirements

Medical assistants (MAs), unlike other entry-level medical professions like nursing assistants (CNAs), practical nurses (LPNs), phlebotomy techs (CPTs), and others, can practice without formal certification. However, there are two credentials available which have been designed to give both aspiring and currently practicing MAs a competitive edge over their colleagues, enhance their career prospects, and increase their earning potential.

Currently, the two medical assistant credentials most commonly recognized and sought after are:

1. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential offered by The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) – an organization which offers membership and educational opportunities to medical assistants
2. The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential offered by The American Medical Technologists (AMT) – a national agency in charge of administering certifications for healthcare professionals like phlebotomy techs, dental assistants, medical lab techs, and others.

The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

In order for one to become eligible to take the credential exam for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA, they must first satisfy the following requirements:

• Enroll in and successfully complete a medical assistant program that has accreditations from the following organizations:
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP)
  • The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
• The program must be composed of:
  • Dual sections: Theory and clinical application
  • Coursework needs to include both clinical and administrative topics which include but certainly aren’t limited to anatomy, physiology, computer competency, clinical and diagnostic procedures, medication administration, pharmacology, medication administration, record keeping and accounting, and medical ethics
• CMA credentials must be renewed every 60 months and can be done so by:
  • Taking continuing education credits in the relevant areas
  • Pass a recertification exam that’s 200 questions

Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

In order for one to become eligible to take the credential exam for the Registered Medical Assistant, they must first satisfy the following requirements:

• Path 1: Successfully complete a medical assistant program which has the following attributes:
  • At least 880 total contact hours: 720 hours of in-class/online instruction in theory and 160 hours of supervised, hands-on clinical training in a physician’s office or healthcare facility
  • Regionally or nationally accredited by an agency approved by one of the following organizations:
    • The US Department of Education
    • The Council for Higher Education Accreditation
    • AMT Board of Directions
  • Path 2: Prior work experience in the medical assisting profession
    • Have at a minimum 5 years of administrative and clinical work experience as a medical assistant in the past 7
  • Path 3: Extensive prior work experience as a medical assistant program instructor
    • Have been employed as a medical assistant program instructor for 5 of the last 7 years OR one year of experience teaching medical assistant students in addition to three years of work experience as a medical assistant
  • Path 4: Successfully complete a program akin to a collegiate medical assistant course through the US Armed Forces with the following attributes:
    • 880 total contact hours: 720 hours of theoretical instruction and 160 hours of hands-on, supervised clinical instruction at a doctor’s office or other healthcare facility

List of Maine Medical Assisting Programs

1. Kennebec Valley Community College

Locations: Augusta, Fairfield

KVCC offers a two-year, 64 credit Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting. Students must take an admissions test and prerequisites before entrance into the clinical program. KVCC’s medical assistant program helps prepare students to work in not only ambulatory care and physician offices, but hospitals as well. The college is fully accredited, and students may take the AAMA certified medical assistant (CMA) exam upon graduation.

2. Southern Maine Community College

Location: South Portland

SMCC offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting. Students learn a combination of clinical, laboratory, and administrative skills in this program. Students also focus on medical insurance and billing. The program offers a clinical-only option for students who do not wish to focus on administrative skills. A 160-hour externship is required for graduation.

3. Intercoast College

Location: Portland

Intercoast College offers a Diploma of Medical Assisting, which takes about 36 weeks to complete. Students receive focused instruction in clinical and administrative medical assisting, which prepares them for entry-level employment. A 180-hour externship must be completed prior to graduation. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Nationally Certified Medical Assistant exam through the NCCT.

4. Harris School of Business

Location: Sanford

Harris School of Business offers a professional certificate in Medical Assisting. Students receive instruction in core medical and administrative skills which prepare them for entry-level employment. Harris offers both daytime and evening classes to make it easier for students who work full time. Students must complete a clinical externship prior to graduation and may be able to sit for the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam upon graduation.

5. Washington County Community College

Location: Calais

WCCC offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting. Students take a combination of general education, personal development, and core medical and administrative courses. WCCC prepares students for a variety of career roles in medical assisting, including laboratory assistant, medical billing and coding, medical office manager and clinical medical assistant. Students must complete an externship prior to graduation and may be eligible to sit for the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam.

6. Beal College

Location: Bangor

Beal College offers a two-year Associate of Science degree in Medical Assisting. The program consists of core medical and administrative courses as well as a variety of personal elective courses for a well-rounded education. Students are prepared to work in a clinical, administrative, or laboratory setting. Beal College is accredited, and students may sit for the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam upon graduation.

7. Northern Maine Community College

Location: Presque Isle

NMCC offers a two-year, 67-credit Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting. The program focuses on standard medical assisting courses, including clinical, laboratory, and administrative concepts. It also includes general education and personal elective courses. Students are eligible to sit for a variety of certification exams after graduation, including the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam.

8. Eastern Maine Community College

Location: Bangor

EMCC offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting. Before entry into the program, students must complete biology and algebra prerequisites. Once admitted to the program, students will learn a combination of clinical and administrative skills. Laboratory techniques, general education, and personal electives are also required. Graduates may sit for the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam.

9. Central Maine Community College

CMCC offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting. Following the successful completion of the program, students will be well-suited for careers as medical office assistants, medical secretaries, or medical transcriptionists in healthcare settings like physician’s offices, hospitals, and more. The program takes four semesters to complete and includes a 240-hour clinical externship.

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.