Get Started in Medical Assisting in Indiana
Currently, careers in healthcare are on the rise in the great state of Indiana. As it stands, some 12,650 are currently employed as Medical Assistants statewide.
Increased access to healthcare in the US in recent years creates unusual demand on some facilities, forcing their expansion. To expand, physicians are hiring more of their most valuable team members to keep clinics in smooth operation. Medical Assistants are invaluable to clinical teams and are increasing their visibility in the healthcare field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 600 medical assistant positions open every year. [Leer en español]
What is a Medical Assistant?
Medical Assistants are the glue that holds health and wellness facilities together. They take care of the beginnings and endings of many procedures, like greeting and excusing patients, collecting and receiving specimens, collecting and submitting diagnostic information, turning the clinic lights on in the morning or off in the evening, and closing out or resolving the end phases of treatments and patient inquiries. Meeting these bottom line procedural requirements is their bread and butter.
Their duties may differ from clinic to clinic, but Medical Assistants typically perform both clinical activities and the administrative duties described above. They often bridge the communication gap between physicians, patients, and office staff, due to their cross-training and natural ability to adapt and communicate with a variety of people.
Indeed, even a larger office can operate smoothly with the right balance of staff and a solid system.
Salary
The average wage earned by medical support staff in Indiana is currently $14.08 per hour, or about $29,000 per year. An hourly wage of $12.06 is the lowest, with $18.26 per hour reported at the high end. It is important to remember that these wage estimates are not necessarily representative of what one can expect to earn. Experienced Medical Assistants can earn even higher wages, depending on the region of their employment, and any specializations or credentials they hold.
Salaries by Metropolitan Area in Indiana
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson, IN | 140 | $13.78 | $28,660 |
| Bloomington, IN | 230 | $12.29 | $25,560 |
| Columbus, IN | 170 | $14.14 | $29,420 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 350 | $13.80 | $28,710 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 800 | $14.08 | $29,290 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 1,000 | $13.53 | $28,140 |
| Gary, IN Metropolitan Division | 1,510 | $13.95 | $29,020 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel, IN | 3,820 | $14.51 | $30,180 |
| Kokomo, IN | 110 | $12.93 | $26,890 |
| Lafayette, IN | 400 | $13.88 | $28,870 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 220 | $12.85 | $26,740 |
| Muncie, IN | 350 | $12.51 | $26,030 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 630 | $13.92 | $28,960 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 310 | $13.26 | $27,580 |
Requirements
There are no state mandated certificates or education requirements for Medical Assistants working in Indiana; many of them receive on the job training. But due to the lower wage values assigned to non-certified workers, it is advisable that prospective assistants pursue certification. There are recognized programs that confer certification. Obtaining certification these days makes all the difference in one’s future success in this dynamic and rewarding career.
Steps to Take
If you have already determined this is the career for you, you just need to start your research. Go to the AAMA website to learn the award types, their requirements, and the agencies that offer them.
Certification will almost certainly require some schooling, so you will want to research programs, too. Below is a comprehensive list of colleges and technical schools offering programs that are recognized by qualifying agencies. Each program is different; though you could expect the duration to be one to two years. At the time of graduation they may even assist you with attaining your certification.
Popular Schools
College and University Listings
- Evansville, IN-KY
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Gary, IN Metropolitan Division
- Indianapolis-Carmel, IN
- Kokomo, IN
- Muncie, IN
- South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
Evansville, IN-KY Area
Ross Medical Education Center-Evansville
227 N. Green River Road, Evansville, Indiana 47715-2405Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Ross Medical Education Center is based at their Evansville campus in the city of Anchorage, IN. The majority of of the school’s 179 students are on short programs of under two years. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 45 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Tuition fees are around $15,740 per year.
Fort Wayne, IN Area
International Business College-Fort Wayne
5699 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804-7145Medical Assisting – Associate Program, Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
International Business College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. All programs are taught at their Fort Wayne campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 340 students are on 4-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* Fees for tuition are about $13,920 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,360, depending on the program.
Ross Medical Education Center-Fort Wayne
4122 Lima Road, Unit A5, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
Ross Medical Education Center offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their Fort Wayne campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has in the region of 120 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 45 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are usually in the order of $10,800 for each academic year. Typically, the program is completed in 18 months.
Gary, IN Metropolitan Division Area
Brightwood College-Hammond
7833 Indianapolis Blvd, Hammond, Indiana 46324Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
Brightwood College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their Hammond campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 349 students are on short programs of under two years. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 51 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. The cost of tuition is in the order of $15,805 per year.
Indianapolis-Carmel, IN Area
Brightwood College-Indianapolis
4200 S East Street, Suite 7, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Brightwood College is offered at their Indianapolis campus in the city of Anchorage, IN. The college has in the order of 591 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 51 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. Brightwood College-Indianapolis has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and the program itself is accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* The cost of tuition is broadly in the order of $15,985 yearly.
Fortis College-Indianapolis
9001 N Wesleyan Rd Ste 101, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
Fortis College’s Certificate-level Medical Assistant program is imparted at their Indianapolis campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 265 students are on 2-year programs. Fortis College-Indianapolis has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and the program is separately accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Tuition fees are around $19,957 per year. Books and supplies can cost in the order of $2,045, although this will depend on the program.
Harrison College-Indianapolis
550 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2611Medical Assistant – Associate Program
Harrison College’s Associate program in Medical Assisting is based at their Indianapolis campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 3,040 students are on 4-year programs. Harrison College-Indianapolis is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $16,275 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $825, depending on the program.
International Business College-Indianapolis
7205 Shadeland Station, Indianapolis, Indiana 46256-3954Medical Assisting – Certificate Program, Medical Assisting – Associate Program
International Business College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their Indianapolis campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 324 students are on 2-year programs. Tuition fees are generally around $13,920 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,480, although this will depend on the program.
Ivy Tech Community College
50 W. Fall Creek Parkway N. Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208-5752Medical Assisting – Certificate Program, Medical Assisting – Associate Program
Ivy Tech Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are taught at their campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has around 81,668 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. Ivy Tech Community College has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.* Fees for tuition for in-state students are likely to be about $4,175 and for students from other states likely to be about $8,052 yearly, while study materials may cost about $1,196, depending on the program.
Midwest Technical Institute
554 Pitt Road, Brownsburg, Indiana 46112Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Midwest Technical Institute can be taken at their campus in the city of Anchorage, IN. Most of the school’s 243 students are on short programs of under two years. Midwest Technical Institute is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is 93%. Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are generally in the order of $14,000 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $400. The typical program completion time is 9 months.
Kokomo, IN Area
Ross Medical Education Center-Kokomo
196 East Southway Boulevard, Kokomo, Indiana 46902-3650Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Ross Medical Education Center is offered at their Kokomo campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 166 students are on short programs of under two years. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 45 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. Ross Medical Education Center-Kokomo is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Tuition fees are likely to be around $15,740 per year.
Muncie, IN Area
Ross Medical Education Center-Muncie
411 W. Riggin Road, Muncie, Indiana 47303-6413Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Ross Medical Education Center’s Certificate program is based at their Muncie campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 87 students are on short programs of under two years. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 45 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. The college’s retention rate for full-time students is over 80%. The cost of tuition is in the order of $15,740 yearly.
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Area
Ross Medical Education Center-Granger
445 E University Dr, Granger, Indiana 46530Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
Ross Medical Education Center offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their Granger campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 193 students are on 2-year programs. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 45 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are usually around $10,800 per year. Typically, the program is completed in 18 months.
* Tuition fees and accredition status are correct at the time of writing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with college before applying.
Other Options
Residents of Indiana may also wish to review their options in Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio.
Healthcare News for Indiana
Private equity firms mull bids for Eli Lilly's Elanco unit
The Indianapolis pharmaceutical giant is evaluating whether to keep the division, which makes animal-health products, or sell it or take it public. An analyst said it might fetch $16 billion.
Eli Lilly hikes forecast after better-than-expected first quarter
Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. on Tuesday reported quarterly revenue and adjusted earnings that exceeded analyst forecasts.