Are you looking for steady job security in South Dakota? Do you need a job that pays well and doesn’t require years of training? If so, medical assisting could be the perfect profession for you to consider. This is one of the fastest growing jobs in America, and it is one of the easiest ones to get involved with. Spend a year or two in school learning about medical files, and you will have a great job with awesome advancement potential. Here is a look at what medical assistant schools in South Dakota could do for you.
South Dakota Medical Assistant Schools at a Glance
Most medical assistants in South Dakota have an associate of science in medical assisting. To earn a degree like that, you will need to spend about a year in school. You could complete the program in as little as nine months, but some students take two years or longer to get through the classes. If you decide to attend a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), you can expect a longer education than most.
After you earn your associate’s degree, you can apply for work right away. To improve the kinds of jobs available to you, consider completing a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam from the National Healthcare Association or the American Association of Medical Assistants. This exam is simple to take if you study well in school, and passing it will raise your potential pay considerably. You can learn more about the exam by contacting the South Dakota Society of Medical Assistants.
Medical Assistant Jobs in South Dakota
The average medical assistant in the United States earns $13.87 an hour, but those in South Dakota only earn $12.86 an hour. This may be a discouraging statistic, but you have to keep in mind the standard of living for the state. Housing, food, and utilities tend to be lower in South Dakota than they are along the coastal regions, where hourly wages exceed $15. Thus you still should be able to make a good living working as a medical assistant in South Dakota. Think about what you want out of your education, and then find a place that can provide the training you need. You will be on your way to a job interview in no time.
Top Medical Assistant Schools in South Dakota
- Location: Sioux Falls
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $42,320
- Accreditation: ABHES
- Location: Mitchell
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $21,778
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Aberdeen
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $54,294
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Watertown, and Ellsworth
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $32,371
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Watertown
- Programs: Diploma, Associate’s
- Tuition*: $9,445 (Diploma); $18,890 (Associate’s)
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
