Medical Assisting Schools in Virginia

Virginia is home to breathtaking beaches and peaceful mountains. It is a hotspot for tourism and a paradise for residents. If you live in Virginia and wish to become a medical assistant, you are definitely making the right choice. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Virginia ranks slightly above average for employment of medical assistants, with between 7,410 and 13,390 such professionals currently working in the state. The BLS also reports that medical assistants in Virginia earn between $30,830 and $32,930 each year, plus benefits. This is slightly below the national average, but the relatively low cost of living in the state makes this a more competitive salary range.

Because the medical assisting career is so promising in Virginia, there is likely to be stiff competition for the best jobs, particularly in more rural parts of the state. In order to gain an advantage over the competition, it is a good idea for medical assistants to attain certification after graduation. Earning this credential shows potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge needed to perform effectively as part of a medical team. To be eligible to sit for the certification examination, you must graduate from a program that is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Miller-Motte Technical College

• Accreditation: CAAHEP
• Tuition: $28,923
• Program: Associate’s degree
• Miller-Motte Technical College, in Lynchburg, offers an Associate of Occupational Science in Medical Assisting degree that students can complete in only 18 months. The program at Miller-Motte prepares students to work as general medical assistants, performing both clinical and administrative duties. Students who choose this program will enjoy the flexibility of taking day and evening classes as well as the school’s state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam and benefit from the schools’ lifetime career services.

American National University

• Accreditation: CAAHEP
• Tuition: $30,432
• Program: Associate’s degree
• With campuses in Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, and Danville, American National University provides students across the state with quality medical assistant training that prepares them for all of the demands of this highly rewarding career field. Students who choose this program will study in realistic laboratory environments and will experience on-the-job training through an externship in an operational healthcare facility. The school offers both day and evening classes for flexible scheduling and promises individual attention with a 15:1 student to instructor ratio. There are five start dates each term, so students who are interested in this program can start at a time that is right for them.

Bryant and Stratton College

• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Tuition: $32,100
• Program: Associate’s degree
• Bryant and Stratton College has campuses in Richmond, Hampton, and Virginia Beach for student convenience. In addition, the school offers highly flexible classes that include options for day, evening, and online classes. Students who choose the school’s medical assisting degree program receive clinical and administrative instruction as well as real-world experience during an internship. The school has been in operation for over 150 years and prides itself in offering an excellent student experience that includes full career services, counseling, and much more.