Medical Assistant Schools in New Jersey
Every year, countless people travel to Atlantic City to try their luck. However, there is another way to find your fortune in New Jersey. When you choose to become a medical assistant in this fantastic state, you are preparing yourself to enjoy some of the brightest career outlooks for the profession in the country. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that New Jersey is in the top level for both employment of medical assistants and medical assistant salaries in the nation. According to Bureau statistics, there are currently between 13,890 and 82,450 medical assistants working across the state. In addition, the average salary of a New Jersey medical assistant is between $32,400 and $39,610 a year, well above the national average.
If you want to take advantage of the many opportunities afforded by the medical assistant career field in New Jersey, you must first get the proper education and training. New Jersey has many schools that offer the proper training to enter this career. There are many factors to consider when choosing a medical assistant training program. You must find one that meets your educational goals, that is within your budget, that offers all of the amenities you need, and that has the proper accreditation. If you attend a program that has received accreditation through the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Students who graduate from these programs are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination, which may give you an edge over the competition in landing the best jobs and earning the highest salaries.
Bergen Community College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $130 – $272/credit hour
- Program: Associate’s degree
- Bergen Community College, located in Paramus, offers an associate’s degree in medical assisting for students who are eager to enter this thriving career. The program prepares students for the clinical, administrative, and management aspects of medical assisting and gets students ready to take the national certification examination. Students who choose Bergen receive full support and student services and may qualify for free tuition through the NJ Stars program. The school also offers peer mentoring and tutoring, health, wellness, and personal counseling, and much more.
Berkeley College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $20,800 (certificate); $48,000 (degree)
- Program: Certificate, Associate’s degree
- Located in Newark and Paramus, Berkeley College offers students the choice of a certificate or an associate’s degree in medical assisting. Both programs are fully accredited and provide both clinical and administrative training. Students who attend Berkeley College have access to health and wellness and career services as well as on-campus housing and dining. Since the programs are CAAHEP accredited, students who graduate from either program are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination after graduation.
Raritan Valley Community College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $5,284
- Program: Certificate
- At Raritan Valley Community College, students can earn a certificate in medical assisting in only one year and at very affordable tuition rates. The program includes both clinical and administrative training and consists of two semesters of classroom and laboratory instruction followed by an internship during the summer semester. Located in Branchburg, RVCC offers small class sizes, individualized attention and instruction, and a full complement of support services.
Sussex County Community College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $127-$190/credit hour
- Program: Certificate
- Located in Newton, Sussex County Community College offers a certificate in medical assisting that provides complete medical assistant training as well as exceptional student support services. SCCC serves over 3,200 students each year and offers service opportunities, athletics, clubs and organizations, and many other ways for students to be involved.
Warren County Community College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $122-$132/credit hour
- Program: Certificate
- Warren County Community College, located in Washington, offers a non-credit certificate in medical assisting that can be completed in 760 hours of study. WCCC offers credit by examination, career and counseling services, tutoring, and a wide range of student life activities. Because the program is CAAHEP accredited, students who graduate from WCCC are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination after graduation.
Everest Institute
- Accreditation: ABHES
- Tuition: $18,334
- Program: Diploma
- At Everest Institute in South Plainfield, students can earn a diploma in medical assisting in only 41 weeks. Students at Everest can choose between day and evening classes, for superb flexibility in scheduling. Everest also offers small class sizes, learning centers, tutoring, and a full range of student support services to ensure that all students have what they need to be successful. If you are looking for medical assistant training that provides flexibility and excellent support, this may be the program for you.
Fortis Institute
- Accreditation: ABHES
- Tuition: $14,272
- Program: Certificate
- With campuses in Wayne and Lawrenceville, Fortis Institute is the school of choice for many students who are interested in career education. This widely-recognized school offers a medical assisting certificate that can be completed in only 36 weeks. Students who choose Fortis enjoy small class sizes, knowledgeable instructors, top of the line technology and facilities, and solid student support.
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."