Connecticut may be a small state, but it has a variety of opportunities for aspiring medical professionals. There is a growing demand for medical assistants across the board, and most hospitals in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and other cities are in need of administrative workers to keep their other employees on track. If that sounds like something you want to do, check out the information below about medical assistant schools in Connecticut.
Connecticut Medical Assistant Schools at a Glance
To become a medical assistant in Connecticut, you need to attend a college or technical school that offers training for this profession. Ideally, this school needs to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These boards have high standards for the institutions they accredit, so you know you’re getting a good education if they back your university.
When you enroll in school, you will most likely be working toward an associate of science in medical assisting. This takes about a year to complete, depending on the school you attend. Some schools have certificate programs that simply prepare you to become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant. In either case, you will need to take an exam from the National Healthcare Association or the American Association of Medical Assistants to get certified. Having a certification in hand gives you a much higher chance of finding a job when you get out of school.
If you’d like to know more about this exam and the benefits it offers you, contact the Connecticut State Society of Medical Assistants.
Medical Assistant Jobs in Connecticut
The average medical assistant in Connecticut earns $15.97 an hour, resulting in an annual pay of $34,100. There are 6,600 medical assistants employed in this small state, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2012. You may experience hefty competition when you go to apply for work here, so make sure you get a solid education before diving into the medical field. With the right degree and certification behind you, you can easily find work as a medical assistant.
Top Medical Assistant Schools in Connecticut
- Location: East Hartford
- Programs: Certificate, Associate’s
- Tuition*: $23,233 (Certificate); $46,466 (Associate’s)
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
Branford Hall Career Institute
- Location: Windsor, Southington, and Branford
- Programs: Diploma
- Tuition*: $16,207
- Accreditation: ABHES
- Location: Norwalk
- Programs: Certificate
- Tuition*: $8,221
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Hartford
- Programs: Certificate, Associate’s
- Tuition*: $7,000 (Certificate); $14,000 (Associate’s)
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Branford, Enfield, Rocky Hill, Stratford, and Watertown
- Programs: Certificate
- Tuition*: $16,680
- Accreditation: ABHES
