How to Become a Medical Assistant in Kansas
Medical assistants play an integral role in the functioning of a hospital or other medical facility. They help physicians perform tasks when diagnosing and evaluating patients. Additionally, medical assistants complete administrative duties like record-keeping, appointment scheduling and other clerical functions. If you’re interested in entering this field, you should be passionate about healthcare and enjoy conveying and relaying accurate, important information.[Leer en español]
Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Kansas
Kansas is one of many U.S. states that do not require medical assistants to complete post-secondary education or earn national certification before practicing. In most cases, however, employers will prefer to hire candidates who have completed a medical assistant training program, as well as those who possess certification. In other cases, you may find that a high school diploma or equivalent is all you need to get your foot in the door.
Medical Assistant Training and Educational Programs in Kansas
Enrolling in a training program is optional, but it is the best decision if you want to excel quickly within this industry. Each program below is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- Coffeyville Community College allows students to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in medical assisting, which will take two years to complete. This program consists of a combination of in-person and online classes.
- Northwest Kansas Technical College is located in the city of Goodland. Students can choose to complete either an Associate of Applied Science degree or a Technical Certificate in medical assisting. The degree will take two years to complete, while the certificate can be completed in about one year.
- Rasmussen College is located in the city of Overland Park. Students will earn a diploma in medical assisting in as little as 12 months. Classes take place in-person and online.
Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Kansas
Medical assistants can earn up to four types of national certification. Of these, the two most common certifications are the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). Others include the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) and the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). All of these certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
To earn one or more of these certifications, you will need to complete a medical assistant training program accredited by either the CAAHEP or the ABHES. Typically, you can substitute experience for education; however, some of these organizations may require you to have a combination of the two.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in Kansas
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2017, medical assistants in Kansas earned an average hourly wage of $14.98, which is equivalent to $31,160 per year. The top 10 percent of medical assistants working in this state earned $40,860 the same year.
BLS data also indicate that, in 2016, there were 4,760 medical assistants employed in Kansas. By 2026, there are expected to be 5,410 medical assistants working in the field in Kansas, signifying a 13.6 percent expansion in the job market during this 10-year period.
Working as a Medical Assistant in Kansas
Medical assistants working in Kansas will earn the highest compensation in cities like Kansas City, Edwardsville and Bonner Springs. But no matter the area in which you work, you can expect to find employment in hospitals, clinics, private practices and other medical facilities.
You can choose to work with specific types of doctors or in particular hospital wings, and you can expect to work directly with people throughout each shift, using your customer service skills and medical expertise to excel at your job.
Popular Schools
College Listings
College | Address | Program Information |
---|---|---|
Kansas City Kansas Community College | 7250 State Ave Kansas City Kansas 66112 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: In-State $3,240, Out-of-State $8,040 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
National American University-Overland Park | 10310 Mastin Overland Park Kansas 66212 | Associate Program Tuition: $13,755 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Barton County Community College | 245 NE 30th Road Great Bend Kansas 67530 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $3,328, Out-of-State $4,320 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Coffeyville Community College | 400 W 11th St Coffeyville Kansas 67337 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $2,304, Out-of-State $3,872 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Neosho County Community College | 800 W 14th St Chanute Kansas 66720 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: $4,522 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Northwest Kansas Technical College | 1209 Harrison St Goodland Kansas 67735 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: $16,600 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Salina Area Technical College | 2562 Centennial Road Salina Kansas 67401 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: $6,493 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Pinnacle Career Institute-Lawrence | 1601 W 23rd Street Lawrence Kansas 66046 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: $15,765 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
WellSpring School of Allied Health-Lawrence | 947 New Hampshire Lawrence Kansas 66045 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: $16,000 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools |
Highland Community College | 606 W Main Highland Kansas 66035 | <1 year Certificate Program 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: In-District $3,007, In-State $3,457, Out-of-State $3,457 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Bryan University | 1527 SW Fairlawn Rd Topeka Kansas 66604 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: $15,400 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
Rasmussen College-Kansas | 620 SW Governor View Topeka Kansas 66606 | Associate Program Undergraduate Certificate Program Tuition: $9,360 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools Program Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools |
National American University-Wichita | 7309 East 21st Street North Suite G-40 Wichita Kansas 67206 | Associate Program Tuition: $13,755 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
National American University-Wichita West | 8428 West 13th Street North Suite 120 Wichita Kansas 67212 | Associate Program Tuition: $13,755 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Wichita Area Technical College | 4004 N Webb Rd. Bldg 100 Wichita Kansas 67226 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-State $7,323, Out-of-State $8,735 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Wichita Technical Institute | 2051 South Meridian Wichita Kansas 67213 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: $19,700 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |