Medical Assistant Schools in West Virginia
West Virginia boasts that it is for lovers, but it is also for those who love country charm, thriving city life, or quiet rural peace. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are currently between 2,620 and 6,290 medical assistants employed in the state. According to the Bureau, these professionals earn an average salary of between $23,760 and $28,550 a year, a bit below the national average. However, this does not make West Virginia a poor employment prospect for aspiring medical assistants. While the salary is relatively low, so is the cost of living. In addition, many medical assisting jobs come with several thousand dollars worth of paid leave, retirement benefits, and insurance that make this a very promising career field.
Employment opportunities may be limited in some areas, so to provide yourself with an edge in landing the highest paying positions, it is a good idea to become a Certified Medical Assistant after graduation. To do so, you must successfully complete your medical assistant training at an online or on-campus program that is accredited through either the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). These accreditations show employers that your training program met rigorous standards for content and performance, and that graduates are fully prepared to perform the duties of the job. If you are ready to begin your medical assistant training, here are some of the great schools in West Virginia:
American National University
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $3,804/semester (12 credit hours)
- Program: Associate’s degree
- Located in Parkersburg and Princeton, American National University provides students with a fully accredited associate’s degree in medical assisting. The program boasts full clinical and administrative training, a quality externship experience, and small class sizes, with a student to faculty ratio of only 15:1. Students who choose to study at American National University will enjoy the school’s support services and the ability to take refresher courses after graduation at no cost. After graduating from this program, students are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant examination.
Mountwest Community and Technical College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $159/credit hour
- Program: Associate’s degree
- Mountwest Community and Technical College, located in Huntington, has an accredited associate’s degree in medical assisting that students can complete in around two years of full-time study. The program fully prepares students to perform both clinical and administrative duties and prepares them to sit for the national certification examination after graduation. Mountwest has been providing higher education to students for over 40 years and prides itself on providing a complete educational experience that includes academic services such as tutoring, on-campus resources, support services, and a range of clubs and organizations to keep students involved.
Huntington Junior College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $13,600
- Program: Associate’s degree
- Since 1936, Huntington Junior College has an accredited associate’s degree in medical assisting that provides both administrative and clinical training and that can be completed in around 18 months of full-time study. Huntington Junior College provides students with fully-supplied, modern facilities, laboratories, and classrooms. In addition, the school provides students with the full range of support services. Graduates of the medical assisting program at HJC can enroll in person or online and are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination after graduation.
West Virginia Northern Community College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $2,806 (certificate); $4,800 (degree)
- Program: certificate; associate’s degree
- With campuses in Weirton, Wheeling, and New Martinsville, West Virginia Northern Community College gives students the choice between earning a certificate in medical administrative assisting, or an associate’s degree in either administrative or clinical medical assisting. The certificate program takes approximately one year to complete, while students pursuing an associate’s degree can complete the program in around two years of full-time study. Both the certificate and degree programs are accredited and provide students with valuable knowledge and experience that will help them successfully enter this career field.