Texas Accredited Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
With over 24.7 million people, Texas is the second largest state in America. Job prospects are wide open for well-trained medical assistants seeking employment in this massive state. Moreover, in the past 5 to 10 years, the health care industry in Texas has taken off and continues to accelerate.
Houston is the largest city in Texas – and the fourth largest in America. Other metropolitan centers include Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and El Paso. Pick your city. Each one has ample job opportunities for medical assistants. Also, don’t forget the more rural areas throughout Texas. Wherever you find a medical facility, there’s a potential place to start your search.
Medical assistants need to have training to be equipped to provide adequate patient care and to know how to run a medical office. An accelerated medical assistant diploma program can be as quick as nine months, while an associate degree in medical assisting typically takes two years to complete. Also, make sure to look out for resources that will help fund your education.
List of Texas Medical Assisting Programs
1. Dallas County Community College
Campus Location: Dallas
The medical assisting program at Dallas County Community College admits 20 to 30 students each fall and spring semester. This associate degree in medical assisting takes about two years to complete for most students.
Prerequisites for admission include high school graduation or completion of the General Education Diploma, completion of basic college level English and speech classes with a minimum of a C grade point average as well as attendance at a medical assisting program information session.
2. Cisco College
Campus Location: Abilene
Students at Cisco College receive a medical assistant diploma, which takes about a year to complete. Coursework includes health science, medical records, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and basic laboratory procedures. The college also offers a two-year associate degree for students wanting to expand their education.
The associate degree program includes the above classes along with English, math and psychology courses. After graduation, students are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination, governed by the AAMA.
3. Lone Star College System
Campus Location: Cypress
Lone Star College System provides students with the opportunity to earn a certificate in medical assisting. Full-time students can complete the program in about one year. Potential students must pass a background check prior to admission.
The training includes courses in medical terminology, anatomy/physiology, laboratory procedures and curriculum concerning other administrative duties. Graduates are also eligible to sit for the AAMA certified examination.
4. Pima Medical Institute
Campus Locations: Houston, El Paso, San Antonio
The certificate program offered by Pima Medical Institute equips students with the necessary skills to work as medical assistants in a variety of settings. The program takes approximately 9 months to complete and requires students to successfully complete 34 credits.
Students also participate in an externship before graduation that helps them take the leap from training to employment. After training, graduates can take the AAMA Certified Medical Assistant and the Registered Medical Assistant governed by the AMT.
5. Panola College
Campus Location: Carthage
Panola College is a public, two-year community college that offers both a Medical Assistant Certificate program and an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting. The Medical Assistant Certificate program is composed of 28 semester credit-hours and can be completed in two semesters, whereas the AAS in Medical Assisting is made up of 60 semester credit-hours and can be completed in four semesters. Both programs combine in-class lecture, hands-on lab practice, and a clinical externship to equip students with the necessary administrative and clinical skills needed to work as a medical assistant.
6. McLennan Community College
Campus Location: Waco
McLennan Community College is a public, two-year community college that offers an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting that can be completed in about four semesters. In total, the program is 60 semester credit-hours and combines classroom learning experiences, hands-on lab practice, and a clinical externship at a local healthcare facility. During the program, students will take courses including Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, Medical Assistant Lab Procedures, and more. Core competencies that students develop during the program include taking and recording vitals, medication administration, and performing various diagnostic tests.
7. Northeast Texas Community College
Campus Location: Mount Pleasant
Northeast Texas Community College offers students an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting that can be completed in as little as 24 months. Upon graduating from the program, students will be prepared to take the national credentialing exam, which most NTCC graduates go onto pass on their first try. The program, which only admits 20 students each year, is 60 semester units in total and consists of courses like Medical Terminology, Medical Ethics, Pharmacology & Administration of Medications, and more. Students are also required to complete hands-on lab assignments and a clinical externship.
8. San Antonio College
Campus Location: San Antonio
San Antonio College is a public community college that offers both a Medical Assistant Certificate program and an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting. The AAS in Medical Assisting is composed of 60 semester credit-hours and can be completed in six semesters. The certificate program is 48 semester credit-hours and can be finished in four semesters. Each program’s coursework focuses on the administrative and clinical aspects of medical assisting, among other things. Subject matter includes patient scheduling, taking vital signs, office management, phlebotomy, diagnostic testing, bookkeeping, and more. SAC boasts the country’s very first accredited medical assisting program, which began producing medical assistants in 1969.
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.
I’m from Texas and I was just wondering what the schools are here that I could go to if you could give me any information I would appreciate it thank you.
I am currently going to school for my basic classes along with anatomy and physiology. I plan on working my way up to become a physicians assistant. Before then I would love to get a job in the medical field. I will be taking other classes along with 294 hours for this course alone. I was just wanting other opinions on if I should or could be able to handle it with other classes.
I’m an office trained medical assistant, took an on-line school for medical assistant & received a certificate but the job that hired me would like for me to become state certified within 90days. How do I do this?