The demand for medical workers in Montana is particularly high because of the extensive rural population throughout the state. Many of the state’s residence do not have access to reliable healthcare, and part of that is due to a lack of workers. If you attend one of the medical assistant schools in Montana, you could land a job in no time at all. Whether you want to work in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena or one of the tiny towns in the state, you’ll be able to get a job.
Montana Medical Assistant Schools at a Glance
When you start sorting through medical assistant schools in Montana, you need to look for something that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). You can still get a good education through a non-accredited school, but employers will respect your degree more if it comes from a reputable college. You will spend approximately one to two years earning your associate of science in medical science, but some students get through school in as little as 8 months.
After you get out of school, consider taking the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. This will prove to potential employers that you have the skills to do your job. You can learn more about the exam by contacting the Montana State AAMA chapter on their Facebook page.
Medical Assistant Jobs in Montana
The entire state of Montana only has 780 medical assistants. That is a surprisingly low number, considering the fact that similarly-sized California has over 82,000 medical assistants. The workers here get paid pretty well, averaging $14.26 an hour. That results in a little over $30,000 a year. If you choose to go through additional schooling, you might be able to make even more money by specializing your skills. For instance, dental assistants in Montana earn $14.94 an hour, and medical transcriptionists earn $15.31 an hour. Find a good school to go to now, and you will be set when you enter the work force.
Top Medical Assistant Schools in Montana
- Location: Great Falls
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $15,024
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
Flathead Valley Community College
- Location: Kalispell
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $19,074
- Accreditation: CAAHEP