Missouri Accredited Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
Missouri offers several medical assisting schools scattered throughout the state for those looking to enter the field. The state is also home to multiple medical facilities that may offer medical assisting employment. The best cities to find work as a medical assistant in Missouri are:
- Belleville
- St. Louis
- Springfield
- Kansas City
When choosing a medical assisting school in Missouri, be sure to research multiple schools to see which one offers a program that best suits your needs. Not all programs offer medical assisting certification, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, so be sure to inquire with each school about their certification opportunities.
Missouri Medical Assistant Certification Requirements
Typically, entry-level allied healthcare professionals like practical nurses (LPNs), nursing assistants (CNAs), phlebotomy technicians (CPTs), and lab assistants (CMLAs) are required by law to hold institutionally recognized credentials in order to be employable. In the case of the medical assistant (MA), however, there are currently no state or federal laws which require them to hold any kind of certification in order to practice. Regardless, individuals who are looking to enter the medical assistant field, and those who are already working in it should strongly consider acquiring one of the two MA credentials that are available and nationally recognized. Not only can earning one of these credentials increase one’s earning potential, but it can also strengthen career prospects and provide a competitive edge over colleagues in the field.
At present, the two medical assistant credentials which carry the most weight are:
- The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, which has its exam overseen by The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) – an organization that provides MAs with networking opportunities, continuing education, certification, credential acknowledgment
- The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential, which has its exam overseen by The American Medical Technologists (AMT) – a national not-for-profit agency in charge of administering certifications for entry-level allied healthcare professionals like LPNs, CNAs, CPTs, etc.
The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
Those interested in earning the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) must first pass the certification exam that’s administered by the AAMA. Before one can be eligible to sit for the exam, they will need to have satisfied the following requirements:
- Complete a college-level medical assistant program which has been approved by one of the following accrediting agencies:
- In order to gain the accreditation of one of these agencies, the program MUST be composed of:
- Two primary sections: In-class/online theoretical lecture and clinical application
- The curriculum contained in the program must cover both administrative and clinical coursework, which will undoubtedly include but won’t be limited to topics like pharmacology, patient relations, clinical and diagnostic procedures, medication administration, record keeping and accounting, anatomy & physiology, computer competency, and medical law and ethics.
- Certified Medical Assistant credentials are valid for a period of 60 months, at which point they must be renewed by:
- Passing a recertification exam
- Taking a specific number of continuing education credits relevant to medical assisting
The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
Potential candidates for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)s credential will need to have satisfied at least ONE of the following requirements in order to be eligible to take the AMT’s credential exam:
- Option 1: Successfully complete a medical assistant program:
- Accredited by a regional or national agency which has been approved by:
- The US Department of Education
- The American Medical Technologists Board of Directors
- The Council for Higher Education Accreditation
- Must be composed of a total of 880 contact hours: 720 hours of in-class/online theoretical instruction and 160 hours of hands-on clinical experience that’s supervised by a professional in the field
- Accredited by a regional or national agency which has been approved by:
- Option 2: Successfully complete a program similar to a college-level medical assistant program through the US Armed Forces
- Must be composed of 880 total contact hours of instruction: 720 hours of in-class/online theoretical instruction and 160 hours of real-world clinical training supervised by a medical professional/instructor
- Option 3: Provide documentation of having extensive experience working as a medical assistant
- Be able to show that you’ve worked as a medical assistant who has performed both clinical and administrative duties for no less than five of the past seven years
- Option 4: Provide documentation of having past experience as an instructor for a medical assistant program. Have no less than five years of prior work experience as a medical assistant program instructor OR have over one year of experience as an instructor combined with three or more years of work experience in the field as a medical assistant
List of Missouri Medical Assisting Programs
1. Wichita Technical Institute
Location: Joplin
Wichita Technical Institute offers a one-year certificate in medical assisting. Students participate in both classroom and practical learning, including an externship which helps put learning into practice. The school states that it provides expanded instruction in clinical labs to help students be prepared for the workforce. Graduates may be able to take certification exams upon graduation; be sure to ask a school counselor about certification possibilities.
2. Metro Business College
Locations: Arnold, Jefferson City, Rolla, Cape, Girardeau
Metro Business College has several locations throughout Missouri which offer a 66-credit hour course in medical assisting. The school states their program provides the necessary education, training and skills to obtain entry-level employment as a medical assistant. Students usually complete the course in three quarters and also must complete a 200-hour externship. Graduates may be eligible to sit for select certification exams upon graduation.
3. Wellspring School of Allied Health
Locations: Kansas City, Lawrence
Wellspring School of Allied Health offers a certificate in medical assisting. The school provides an integrative approach to learning, which combines one-on-one instruction, dedication to core courses, and extensive lab opportunities. Education is also focused on wellness and learning to follow and nurture a wellness-based lifestyle. The school offers both daytime and evening classes. Students usually complete the course in about eight months if attending full time. Certification is available to graduates as well.
4. St. Louis College of Health Careers
Locations: St. Louis, Fenton
St. Louis College of Health Careers offers both a diploma and a degree in medical assisting. The diploma program focuses on core courses and prepares students to enter the workforce more quickly. The degree program offers a more liberal educational experience, with longer preparation and more in-depth instruction. Students of both programs are required to complete an externship before graduation. Graduates may sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam.
5. Pinnacle Career Institute
Locations: Kansas City, Lawrence
PCI offers a 12-month certificate in medical assisting. This program offers instruction in both administrative and clinical procedures, including phlebotomy, taking vital signs, and working with lab specimens. An externship is required prior to graduation and students may be eligible to sit for select certification exams after graduation.
6. State Fair Community College
Locations: Sedalia
State Fair Community College is a public community college that offers a 34 credit-hour Medical Assisting Certificate Program and a 61.5 credit-hour Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting. Both programs have been designed to prepare students for future entry-level careers as multi-skilled health professionals who are able to perform administrative and clinical duties in various healthcare settings.
7. Bryan University
Location: Springfield
Bryan University is a private, for-profit university that offers students an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting. Throughout the program’s 70-week duration, students will attend lectures in on-campus courses, attend lab practice sessions, and undergo a clinical externship at the end. Courses that students should be prepared to take include pathophysiology, pharmacology, electronic medical records management, and others.
8. Condorde Career College
Location: Kansas City
Concorde Career College is a private, for-profit career training institution that offers students a Medical Assisting Certificate program that can be completed in as little as eight months. Students who enroll in the program can conveniently choose to attend courses during daytime or evening hours. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is the agency that has accredited Concorde Career College’s Medical Assisting Certificate program.
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.
Hello, Is the school named St. Louis School Of Phlebotomy an Accredited Medical Assistant in the state of Missouri?
Yes, they offer an 11 week clinical medical assistant course, and at the end of it you will sit for the NHA certification.