Rhode Island Accredited Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
At only 1,045 square miles, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States. The population is just over one million; however, its small size doesn’t diminish the need for qualified medical assistants. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are currently 1880 medical assistants employed in Rhode Island. The demand for well-trained medical assistants is continuing to grow.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to increase by 31% over the next several years. Also, the median annual income for medical assistants in Rhode Island is over $33,000. If you’ve been contemplating a career as a medical assistant in Rhode Island, there’s no time like the present.
The largest city in Rhode Island is Providence with a current population of just over 178,000. The city of Warwick ranks second with only about 82,000 residents, and the third most populated metropolitan city is Cranston with a population of approximately 80,500 people.
Rhode Island is perfect if you like a small-town environment. However, like most small towns, you will need to do your homework to find the best opportunities. Nevertheless, there are plenty of large hospitals in Rhode Island to start your search after training. A few examples include:
- Our Lady of Fatima Hospital
- The Miriam Hospital
- Kent Hospital
- Rhode Island Hospital
Before you can work as a medical assistant in Rhode Island, you will need to participate in a training program that will give you the confidence to administer care to patients. The duration of training depends on what type of program you choose. Medical assistant diploma programs take anywhere from nine months to about a year; an associate of arts in applied science degree takes about two years to complete.
List of Accredited Rhode Island Medical Assistant Programs
1. Lincoln Technical Institute
Campus Location: Lincoln
Students at Lincoln Technical Institute receive a medical assistant diploma, which takes about a year to complete. This school has been providing a real-world approach to education since 1946. The program at this school offers a popular learning environment, known as the “Doctors Office Classroom” (DOC). In this simulated professional environment, students learn clinical procedures and techniques needed to successfully operate a medical office.
The instruction includes disease procedures, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and medical coding. Students also participate in an internship that allows them to gain experience working in a healthcare environment. Additionally, there is a full-time career services department that helps students find a job after graduation.
2. New England Institute of Technology
Campus Location: East Greenwich
New England Institute of Technology offers students an associate degree in clinical medical assistant technology, which provides the necessary skills to become a professional medical assistant.
This two-year program requires successful completion of 180 credits. At the conclusion of the program, students participate in an externship program where they can practice their skills in an actual medical setting. Graduates are also eligible to sit for the Nationally Certified Medical Assistant Exam.
3. Rhode Island College
Campus Location: Providence, RI
Rhode Island College is a public college that offers a Medical Assistant Certificate program which prepares students for an entry-level healthcare career as a medical assistant. The 24-week, 720 contact hour program sets out to equip its students with the appropriate administrative, clinical, and clerical skills needed to be Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). During the program, students will learn medical terminology, electronic charting, diagnostic testing, basic pharmacology, CPR, and much more. Courses meet Monday through Friday from 9AM to 3PM. After the classroom lecture and hands-on lab skills practice portions of the program are finished, students will be expected to complete a 120 contact-hour clinical externship at a local healthcare facility.
4. 911 Programs Career Training Institute
Campus Location: Warwick, RI
911 Programs Career Training Institute is a private, for-profit healthcare career training institute that offers students a Medical Assistant Certificate program at its Warwick campus. Students can complete the program in as little as 32 weeks. Throughout the program’s duration, students will undergo a combination of in-class instruction, hands-on lab practice, and a clinical externship at a local healthcare facility. Upon successfully completing of the course, students will be well prepared for an entry-level medical assistant position at a wide variety of healthcare facilities. In total, tuition for program costs $5,400.
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.