There is a surprisingly high number of medical assistants in North Carolina, with 14,130 registered employees in 2012 alone. Many of these workers do not stay in the job long because they either advance their careers or move on to different fields. That means there is always a shortage of medical assistants needing to be filled. If you want to have strong job security and high earning prospects in the future, you should look into some of the medical assistant schools in North Carolina. One of them could be the key to your success.
North Carolina Medical Assistant Schools at a Glance
There are plenty of great medical assistant schools in North Carolina, but some are a little better than others. When you start assessing your options, pay close attention to those accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Those are going to be the ones that offer the best education programs for you. You’ll spend about a year earning your degree, and you might even need two years to complete it. Once you finish though, you’ll be able to find work right away.
To secure the best jobs in North Carolina, you need a little more than an associate of science in medical assisting. You can get that extra boost for your job applications by passing the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. North Carolina has one of the most active subdivisions of the AAMA in the country, with chapters in almost every county. Check out the NC branch website to find a place to take your exam.
Medical Assistant Jobs in North Carolina
The highest concentration of medical assistant jobs in North Carolina is in the urban parts of the state, like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro. With that in mind, you can find employment throughout NC, even if that means working in a quaint suburb. The average medical assistant in North Carolina earns close to $14 an hour, which leads to a pay around $29,000 a year. This is slightly above the national average, but it is pretty high for a state with a moderate standard of living. If you attend medical assistant school now, you will have few issues finding work once you graduate. Check out your options and see if there is one that works for you.
Top Medical Assistant Schools in North Carolina
- Location: Graham
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $13,070
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Newbern
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $13,092
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
Davidson County Community College
- Location: Lexington
- Programs: Diploma
- Tuition*: $6,221
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Clyde
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $12,252
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Locust
- Programs: Diploma, Certificate, Associate’s
- Tuition*: $6,210 (Diploma); $9,315 (Certificate); $12,420 (Associate’s)
- Accreditation: CAAHEP