Medical Assistant Schools in Arkansas
Arkansas is a state rich in history and bursting with opportunities for outdoor recreation. If you are planning on becoming a medical assistant in Arkansas, you may be a bit daunted by the career outlook. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arkansas ranks in the low-mid range for employment of medical assistants and in the lowest tier for medical assistant salaries. Currently, there are approximately 2,270 to 6,920 medical assistants working in the state. The average salary for a medical assistant in Arkansas is $23,310 to $28,450 a year, a bit below the national average. This does not mean that medical assisting is a poor career choice in the state, however. The BLS predicts a growth rate of over 30% for medical assistants over the next decade. This growth means that there will be many more open positions and that the salary for medical assistants is likely to go up. That means that this is an ideal time to enter the field so you will have the best career opportunities as the field expands.
If you feel that medical assisting is the right career for you, the first step toward meeting your goals is to get a quality education. There are several great schools in the state at which students can get the needed training. When choosing a school, look for one that includes all the training you need, strong student support services, and hands-on experience. In addition, if you intend to become certified, you need to find a program that is accredited through either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Eastern College of Health Vocations
- Accreditation: ABHES
- Tuition: $9,960 (all inclusive)
- Program: Certificate
- Eastern College of Health Vocations provides a certificate in medical assisting that students can complete in ten months at four hours per day. Eastern College of Health Vocations offers classes during morning, afternoon, or evening hours for student convenience. This allows students to get the training they need while still working a full-time job and caring for families. The tuition at this school is very reasonable and includes books, uniforms, and supplies. ECHV also provides exceptional student support services that include resume building help and job placement services.
Heritage College
- Accreditation: ABHES
- Tuition: $17,365
- Program: diploma
- Heritage College has a diploma in X-Ray Medical Technician/Medical Assisting that students can earn in 14 months of full-time study. The program at Heritage provides all the training needed to perform clinical and administrative medical assisting tasks as well as limited scope X-Ray services. Heritage offers a full array of student services to help students succeed and even helps with job placement after graduation. If you think this may be the school for you, you can schedule a campus visit to help you make up your mind.
Job outlook of medical assistants: "Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations...As their practices expand, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients."