Pennsylvania has one of the highest volumes of medical assisting jobs in the country, with 22,460 medical assistants working here in 2012. It does not take long to become a medical assistant in this state, and doing so could lead to immense job opportunities in the future. The key here is to find a school that is going to provide you with the right training. What you do with that training is entirely up to you. Here is an overview of medical assistant schools in Pennsylvania so you can decide if one is right for you.
Pennsylvania Medical Assistant Schools at a Glance
There are many medical assistant schools in PA, especially when you think about all of the options available online. If you want to attend the best of the best, look for a school that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools. Some employers will ask that whenever you go in for a job interview, so you might as well pick the right school from the start. You’ll spend one to two years in school completing your degree, but then you can begin working right away.
Some students choose to take their education one step further by taking a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam. This tests your abilities as a medical assistant and shows employers that you are talented enough to work for them. You can find versions of this exam from the National Healthcare Association or the American Association of Medical Assistants, but the one from the AAMA is the most common. To learn more about the test, contact the Pennsylvania branch of the AAMA.
Medical Assistant Jobs in Pennsylvania
The highest paying medical assistant jobs in Pennsylvania are in the metropolis areas, like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Harrisburg. With that said, you can find a good job here even in the rural parts of the state. The average pay rate for a medical assistant in Pennsylvania is $14.37 an hour, which is close to $30,000 a year. That should be more than enough to support yourself and your family right out of college. If you want to earn even more money, you could go back to school to become a nurse, dental assistant, physical therapy assistant, and more. All you have to do is find a good school and stick to your degree program.
Top Medical Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
Montgomery County Community College
- Location: Pottstown
- Programs: Certificate
- Tuition*: $12,145
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
Mount Aloysius College
- Location: Cresson
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $61,406
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
Pittsburgh Technical Institute
- Location: Oakdale
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $55,220
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Altoona, Capital Region, Lancaster, and York
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $37,666
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Pittsburgh
- Programs: Diploma
- Tuition*: $10,500
- Accreditation: ABHES
