Oregon offers great job opportunities for medical assistants, from the pay rates to the availability and beyond. You do not have to spend long in school to become a medical assistant, and you will have guaranteed work for years to come. Whether you live in Portland, Eugene, Salem, or somewhere else in Oregon, there is an online medical assistant school waiting to help you start your future. Continue reading to learn more about medical assistant schools in Oregon.
Oregon Medical Assistant Schools at a Glance
You will probably spend one to two years earning your medical assisting degree, but some students complete their schooling in less than nine months. Each school has its own curriculum, fees, timeframes, etc., so you will have to compare your options to see which one is best for you. Try to find a school that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools. This will ensure that you get the best education possible.
You can get a job with an associate’s degree alone, but you will have to fight through a lot of competition at that point. You can improve your chances by completing a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam, which is offered through the National Healthcare Association or the American Association of Medical Assistants. An exam like this simply tests what you already know from your degree program, and it gives you an extra credential to put on your resume. You can learn more about the test and the benefits you can get from it by contacting the Oregon State Society of Medical Assistants.
Medical Assistant Jobs in Oregon
Oregon has a very high average pay for its medical assistants, hovering around $16 an hour according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you work full time in this state, you can expect to make $33,510 a year. There are similar jobs in the state that pay even more than that, if you do not mind going back to school. The average medical transcriptionist earns $38,600 a year, and the average physical therapy assistant makes $54,230 a year. Stay focused on your education, and there is no telling what lies ahead for you.
Top Medical Assistant Schools in Oregon
Central Oregon Community College
- Location: Bend
- Programs: Certificate
- Tuition*: $17,347
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Oregon City
- Programs: Certificate
- Tuition*: $8,212
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
Anthem College
- Location: Beaverton
- Programs: Diploma
- Tuition*: $14,579
- Accreditation: ABHES
- Location: Portland and Tigard
- Programs: Diploma, Associate’s
- Tuition*: $23,520 (Diploma); $33,033 (Associate’s)
- Accreditation: ABHES
- Location: Eugene
- Programs: Certificate
- Tuition*: $4,707
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
