Medical Assistant Schools in Washington State
The state of Washington is home to its own unique culture as well as seemingly endless expanses of natural areas and wildlife habitats. Home to over 6.5 million people, Washington has it all. If you are a Washington resident and wish to enter the exciting field of medical assisting, you are making a great choice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Washington as one of the top five states in the country for medical assistant salaries, with an average of $33,600 a year. In addition, this great state is listed as being above average for employment of medical assistants, with between 7,410 and 13,390 medical assistants currently working across the state.
If you plan to become a medical assistant, this is definitely a great state in which to do so. Jobs are plentiful, but there is still likely to be competition for the best positions with the highest pay. In order to make yourself more appealing to potential employers, it is a great idea to become a Certified Medical Assistant after graduation. Attaining this certification shows employers that you have received the best training and that you have all of the skills and knowledge you need to be a vital part of the healthcare team. There are many great colleges and schools in Washington that offer the right program. Some of these include:
Olympic College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $6,790
- Program: Certificate
- Located in Bremerton, Poulsbo, and Shelton, Olympic College offers a certificate in medical assisting that can be completed in only 15 months. The program allows students to choose between two career paths: Medical Receptionist and Medical Billing and Coding. Students who choose from these programs will be prepared to serve as administrative medical assistants where they will perform scheduling, bookkeeping, billing, and multiple other front office duties. The school provides small class sizes as well as student support services that include career help, child care, and much more.
Everest College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $15,712
- Program: certificate
- Everest College has six campuses from which Washington students can choose to complete their medical assistant training. The certificate training at Everest takes 41 weeks to complete and includes all of the training necessary to perform clinical and administrative medical assisting. Students who choose to complete this program get valuable hands-on experience in a variety of topics including laboratory procedures, cardiopulmonary procedures, endocrinology and reproduction, and more. Everest offers both day and evening classes for flexibility, small classes for individualized attention, and full support services to help students be successful both during and after training.
Lower Columbia College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $6,251 (certificate); $7,571 (degree)
- Program: certificate; associate’s degree
- Located in Longview, Lower Columbia College offers aspiring medical assistants the choice between earning a certificate or an associate’s degree in medical assisting. Both programs include clinical and administrative training as well as hands-on experience through an externship. Graduates from Lower Columbia College are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination upon graduation. While in school, students benefit from assistance in locating housing, transportation, and child care, career assistance, financial aid help, tutoring, and much more.
Pima Medical Institute
- Accreditation: ABHES
- Tuition: $12,602
- Program: certificate
- In as little as 9 months, students at Pima Medical Institute can earn a certificate in medical assisting. Pima is a widely recognized name in health education and backs their reputation with excellent student care and support as well as job placement assistance after graduation. Students who attend Pima receive free tutoring, financial aid assistance, and individualized attention, allowing everyone to succeed. After graduations, Pima medical assisting students are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination.
Spokane Community College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $5,484 (certificate); $106/credit (degree)
- Program: certificate; associate’s degree
- At Spokane Community College, students can complete a 12-month certificate or a 2-year associate’s degree in medical assisting. Since 1963, Spokane Community College has prided itself on providing affordable, high quality education to Washington residents. Students who choose this school will benefit from a staggering array of services that includes basic student success support as well as daycare, a food bank, a health clinic, tutoring, career coaching, and much more. If you are a student who is looking for a great educational experience at a school that can meet your unique needs, this school may be your perfect fit.
Highline Community College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $102.75/credit
- Program: certificate; associate’s degree
- Highline Community College, in Des Moines, provides students with a choice between a certificate and an associate’s degree in medical assisting. The programs provide both administrative and clinical training, allowing graduates to work as general medical assistants in physician’s offices, clinics, and other healthcare environments. The school has been in operation since 1961 and is widely recognized as one of the premier community colleges, with both national and international recognition. Students who choose Highline will receive full support services, modern facilities, hands-on experience through an externship, and eligibility to sit for the AAMA’s certification examination.