How to Become a Medical Assistant in Missouri
Medical assistants greet patients, record medical information and handle administrative duties in a health care environment. They may also need to measure patients’ vitals or assist doctors as they examine patients.[Leer en español]
Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Missouri
In Missouri, similar to most other U.S. states, there are no requirements for medical assistants to earn certification before practicing. There is also no law stating that medical assistants must complete post-secondary education in order to work in this field. Typically, employers will have a minimum requirement of a high school diploma or GED, but some employers may also require medical assistants to complete a training program or earn certification before being hired.
Medical Assistant Training and Educational Programs in Missouri
If you choose to enroll in a training program, it is best to choose one that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Consider the programs below, all of which are accredited by one or both of these organizations.:
- East Central College is located in the city of Union. Students will earn a Certificate of Completion in medical assisting with just one year of study.
- Bolivar Technical College offers both a Certificate of Completion as well as an Associate of Applied Science degree in medical assisting. The certificate program will take one year to complete, while the degree can be earned with two years of study.
- Midwest Institute is located in Earth City and offers a Certificate of Completion in medical assisting. This program can be completed in about one year.
Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Missouri
There are a few different certifications available for medical assistants. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) are the two most common certifications, but you may also choose to earn the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) or the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certifications. These certifications are all accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Successful completion of an ABHES- or CAAHEP-accredited medical assistant training program may be all you need to sit for some of these exams. You may be able to substitute experience for education, or you may need a combination of both to sit for certain exams, as they all have their own requirements.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in Missouri
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data presented in 2017 stated that medical assistants in Missouri earned $15.08 per hour on average, which is equivalent to $31,370 per year. The highest paid medical assistants in this state earned more than $39,000 annually according to the same data.
During 2016, BLS data also indicated that there were 9,140 medical assistants working in Missouri. By 2026, it is projected that there will be 10,720 medical assistants working in this state. This indicates a 17.2 percent expansion in the job market during this 10-year period.
Working as a Medical Assistant in Missouri
Saint Louis, Saint Ann and Florissant are Missouri cities in which the highest paid medical assistants can be found working. Since there will continue to be a great demand for medical assistants over the next several years, you should take advantage of your opportunity to enter this career field.
Medical assistants will typically work in private practices, hospitals, clinics or other types of medical facilities. You may also prefer to work with certain types of physicians, such as pediatricians or dermatologists. If this sounds interesting to you, you should know that now is as good a time as any to get started as a medical assistant.
Popular Schools
College Listings
College | Address | Program Information |
---|---|---|
State Fair Community College | 3201 W 16th Street Sedalia Missouri 65301 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-District $2,640, In-State $3,840, Out-of-State $5,280 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Bryan University | 3215 LeMone Industrial Boulevard Columbia Missouri 65201 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: $15,447 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
Franklin Technology-MSSU | 3950 E. Newman Road Joplin Missouri 64801 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: $13,107 Institutional Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education |
Concorde Career College-Kansas City | 3239 Broadway Kansas City Missouri 64111 | Associate Program Undergraduate Certificate Program Tuition: $14,480 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
Everest College-Kansas City | 1740 W 92nd St Kansas City Missouri 64114 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
National American University-Independence | 3620 Arrowhead Avenue Independence Missouri 64057 | Associate Program Tuition: $13,755 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
National American University-Lee's Summit | 401 North West Murray Road Lee's Summit Missouri 64081 | Associate Program Tuition: $13,755 |
National American University-Zona Rosa | 7490 North West 87th Street Kansas City Missouri 64153 | Associate Program Tuition: $13,755 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Pinnacle Career Institute-North Kansas City | 11500 N Ambassador Ste 221 Kansas City Missouri 64153 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: $20,465 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City | 10301 Hickman Mills Dr. Kansas City Missouri 64137 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: $20,465 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City | 9140 Ward Pkwy Ste 100 Kansas City Missouri 64114 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Tuition: $15,000 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools |
Texas County Technical College | 6915 S Hwy 63 Houston Missouri 65483 | Associate Program Tuition: $15,586 |
Bryan University | 4255 Nature Center Way Springfield Missouri 65804 | Associate Program Undergraduate Certificate Program Tuition: $15,400 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
Cox College | 1423 N Jefferson Springfield Missouri 65802 | Associate Program Tuition: $11,170 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Midwest Technical Institute-Springfield | 3600 South Glenstone Terrace Springfield Missouri 65804 | <1 year Certificate Program Tuition: $13,174 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
East Central College | 1964 Prairie Dell Rd Union Missouri 63084 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: In-District $2,376, In-State $3,216, Out-of-State $4,584 Institutional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Midwest Institute | 964 South Highway Drive Fenton Missouri 63026 | <1 year Certificate Program Tuition: $14,680 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools |
St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton | 1297 North Highway Drive Fenton Missouri 63026 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: $30,569 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools |
St Louis College of Health Careers-St Louis | 909 South Taylor Avenue Saint Louis Missouri 63110 | 1 to <2 year Certificate Program Associate Program Tuition: $14,845 Institutional Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools |