Medical Assisting Education Options in Missouri
Those currently working in the healthcare field deserve a round of applause for the contributions they make to a robust industry. Perhaps due to the recently implemented healthcare subsidy, America’s health and wellness facilities are at full capacity, and some even overloaded. Medical Assistants can be the glue that holds health clinics together and the influx of new patient’s calls for more of them. If you are aspiring toward a career in healthcare, and you reside in the state of Missouri, Medical Assisting may be the job for you. [Leer en español]
Outlook
In 2012, there were 9,450 individuals working as Medical Assistants in the state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a sixteen percent rise in this industry’s growth is expected through 2022. Put another way, this means that an estimated three hundred thirty new positions in Missouri alone are becoming available every single year.
This can be an appealing career choice for many who understand the benefits this occupation has to offer. Higher wages, versatility of service, and flexibility of scope, are all very good reasons to join a healthcare team or specialization of your interest. These technicians, aids, and advocates of the industry take positions ranging from clinical wellness all the way to retail sales.
That said, the majority of Medical Assistants do work in doctor’s offices, health clinics, and hospitals. Though their range of duties will vary from clinic to clinic, region to region, we can generally describe the position as one which supports both professional and administrative staff. Working on both sides of the office, having knowledge of those treatments and procedures, as well as medication codes, billing procedures, database maintenance, and laboratory preparation, this talented support person consistently bridges the gap between medical and administrative entities.
Skills and Aptitude
Indeed, the assistant will need a high energy level and expect to be on his or her feet for extended periods. He or she will have the ability to transition seamlessly from one task to another, to facilitate positive communication, and to assume a leadership role. Leadership is imperative, as it frequently becomes the assistant’s primary duty to assure that technical details are not missed, and all clinical and regulatory processes are followed correctly. He or she will need to use assertive and yet professional language and tone, be able to manage stress well, and be willing to self-assign work and complete tasks at random.
Salaries
Salaries earned by Medical Assistants vary just as much as their positions do. A caregiver, for example, can be considered a medical assistant in certain contexts, and their starting wages might fall into the tenth percentile, around $9.86 per hour.
The average hourly wage in Missouri is about $13.97, while higher wages can commonly reach $19.07 per hour and higher. Wages earned by Medical Assistants in Missouri are directly related to the setting and context of the work, level of responsibility, years of experience, skills, and trainings or certifications held.
Salaries by Metropolitan Area in Missouri
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau-Jackson, MO-IL | 220 | $10.81 | $22,480 |
| Columbia, MO | 200 | $12.73 | $26,470 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 150 | $12.75 | $26,530 |
| Joplin, MO | ** | $12.13 | $25,220 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 3,210 | $15.10 | $31,410 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 120 | $12.95 | $26,930 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 4,960 | $13.80 | $28,710 |
| Springfield, MO | 760 | $11.71 | $24,360 |
Requirements
There are no special requirements for Medical Assistants under Missouri law, and many receive on-the-job training only. Medical Assistants can perform any function delegated to them by a nurse or physician, except those clearly restricted functions, like making diagnoses or prescribing medications.
Though some with aptitude have increased their status from entry-level work, this is not the recommended career path. As the demand for medical services increases, so does the demand for good medical staff. To maximize one’s job outlook and earning potential, a person seriously interested in this work will want to become certified. Otherwise, you may be waiting a long time to become noticed. Without certification, there is no guarantee of placement, no guarantee of salary, and even if you are promoted, it will take much longer. It is well understood that most clinics and hospitals now require career candidates to be certified. Missouri recognizes some types of certification, and these can be attained after graduating from an accredited program. There are many programs in medical assisting in the state of Missouri that offer programs in medical assisting. Be sure to check with the AAMA before comparing schools, linked here.
Popular Schools
College and University Listings
- Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area
- Columbia, MO
- Joplin, MO
- Kansas City, MO-KS
- Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area
- Springfield, MO
- St. Joseph, MO-KS
- St. Louis, MO-IL
Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area Area
State Fair Community College
3201 W 16th Street, Sedalia, Missouri 65301-2199Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
State Fair Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are offered at their campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has approximately 4,934 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. State Fair Community College has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.* Fees for tuition for in-district students are roughly about $2,640 and are $3,840 and $5,280 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively, while study materials may cost roughly $698, depending on the program.
Columbia, MO Area
Bryan University
3215 LeMone Industrial Boulevard, Columbia, Missouri 65201-8248Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
Bryan University offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are offered at their campus in the city of Anchorage, MO. This private, for-profit college has about 71 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. Bryan University has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* Fees for tuition are about $15,447 annually, while books and supplies may cost around $1,588, although this varies from program to program.
Joplin, MO Area
Franklin Technology-MSSU
3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, Missouri 64801-1595Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
Franklin Technology’s Certificate program is offered at their MSSU campus in the city of Anchorage, MO. The majority of of the school’s 167 students are on short programs of under two years. The school is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.* The cost of tuition for the Medical Assisting program is about $8,768 for each academic year, while books and supplies may cost around $1,672. Program completion is normally 9 months.
Vatterott College-Joplin
809 Illinois, Joplin, Missouri 64801Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
Vatterott College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are offered at their Joplin campus in the city of Anchorage. This private, for-profit college has in the order of 287 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. Vatterott College-Joplin is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $12,299 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $2,610, depending on the program.
Kansas City, MO-KS Area
Concorde Career College-Kansas City
3239 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri 64111-2407Medical Assistant – Associate Program, Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Concorde Career College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their Kansas City campus in the city of Anchorage, MO. This private, for-profit college has in the region of 435 students in total, with most students on 4-year programs. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 26 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. Concorde Career College-Kansas City has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* Fees for tuition are broadly about $14,480 yearly.
Everest College-Kansas City
1740 W 92nd St, Kansas City, Missouri 64114Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Everest College can be taken at their Kansas City campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 269 students are on short programs of under two years. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 44 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. Everest College-Kansas City is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.*
National American University-Independence
3620 Arrowhead Avenue, Independence, Missouri 64057-1791Medical Assisting – Associate Program
National American University’s Associate program in Medical Assisting is based at their Independence campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 436 students are on 4-year programs. National American University-Independence has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $13,755 per year, while books and supplies may cost in the order of $1,350, although this varies from program to program.
National American University-Lee’s Summit
401 North West Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64081-1425Medical Assisting – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at National American University can be taken at their Lee’s Summit campus in the city of Anchorage, MO. The majority of of the school’s 261 students are on 4-year programs. Tuition fees are around $13,755 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,350, although this will depend on the program.
National American University-Zona Rosa
7490 North West 87th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1934Medical Assistant – Associate Program
National American University’s Associate-level Medical Assistant program is based at their Zona Rosa campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 286 students are on 4-year programs. National American University-Zona Rosa is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.* Fees for tuition are about $13,755 per year. Books and supplies can cost in the order of $1,350, although this will depend on the program.
Pinnacle Career Institute-North Kansas City
11500 N Ambassador Ste 221, Kansas City, Missouri 64153Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Pinnacle Career Institute’s Certificate-level Medical Assistant program is imparted at their North Kansas City campus in the city of Anchorage. This private, for-profit college has roughly 135 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 69 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. Pinnacle Career Institute-North Kansas City is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* Tuition fees are around $20,465 for each academic year.
Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City
10301 Hickman Mills Dr., Kansas City, Missouri 64137-1659Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Pinnacle Career Institute’s Certificate-level Medical Assistant program is imparted at their South Kansas City campus in the city of Anchorage, MO. This private, for-profit college has about 807 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 69 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* Tuition fees are usually around $20,465 yearly.
Vatterott College-Kansas City
4131 N. Corrington Ave, Kansas City, Missouri 64117Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
Vatterott College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are offered at their Kansas City campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 426 students are on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* Fees for tuition are, as a rough guide, in the order of $12,448 per year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $2,217, although this will vary with the program.
WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City
9140 Ward Pkwy Ste 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64114-3313Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
WellSpring School of Allied Health’s Certificate-level Medical Assistant program is imparted at their Kansas City campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 241 students are on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* The cost of tuition for the Medical Assisting program is usually around $16,200 yearly. Study materials can cost about $950. Typically, the program is completed in 10 months.
Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area Area
Texas County Technical College
6915 S Hwy 63, Houston, Missouri 65483Medical Assistant – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Texas County Technical College is imparted at their campus in the city of Anchorage, Missouri. The college has around 106 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. Fees for tuition are about $15,586 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $2,550, depending on the program.
Springfield, MO Area
Bryan University
4255 Nature Center Way, Springfield, Missouri 65804Medical Assistant – Associate Program, Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Bryan University offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 289 students are on 4-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* Fees for tuition are broadly about $15,400 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,571, depending on the program.
Cox College
1423 N Jefferson, Springfield, Missouri 65802Medical Assisting – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Cox College is based at their campus in the city of Anchorage, MO. This is a full, 4-year private college with 871 students, of which 89% are undergraduates. Cox College is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is over 80%. Fees for tuition are about $11,170 annually, while books and supplies may cost around $1,700, although this varies from program to program.
Midwest Technical Institute-Springfield
3600 South Glenstone Terrace, Springfield, Missouri 65804-4414Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
Midwest Technical Institute’s Certificate-level Medical Assistant program is imparted at their Springfield campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has in the order of 252 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is 82%. Tuition fees are usually around $13,174 for each academic year.
Vatterott College-Springfield
3850 South Campbell, Springfield, Missouri 65807Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
Vatterott College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their Springfield campus in the city of Anchorage. This private, for-profit college has about 359 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $12,316 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $2,311, depending on the program.
St. Joseph, MO-KS Area
Vatterott College-St Joseph
3709 N. Belt Hwy, Saint Joseph, Missouri 64506Medical Assistant – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Vatterott College is based at their St Joseph campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has in the region of 116 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* Fees for tuition are about $12,059 yearly, while study materials may cost about $2,365, depending on the program.
St. Louis, MO-IL Area
East Central College
1964 Prairie Dell Rd, Union, Missouri 63084Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
East Central College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are based at their campus in the city of Anchorage, MO. This public college has around 3,222 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. East Central College is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.* The cost of tuition for in-district students is usually in the order of $2,376 and are $3,216 and $4,584 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Learning materials may cost in the order of $1,500, although this will vary with the program.
Midwest Institute
964 South Highway Drive, Fenton, Missouri 63026Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Midwest Institute can be taken at their campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 202 students are on 2-year programs. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 33 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Tuition fees are around $14,680 annually.
Missouri College
1405 South Hanley Road, Brentwood, Missouri 63144Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Missouri College can be taken at their campus in the city of Anchorage. This private, for-profit college has in the order of 722 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. Missouri College has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, while the program itself is accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.*
St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton
1297 North Highway Drive, Fenton, Missouri 63026Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
St Louis College of Health Careers offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their Fenton campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has round 455 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is over 80%. Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are likely to be in the order of $15,415 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $792. Program completion is usually 9 months.
St Louis College of Health Careers-St Louis
909 South Taylor Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
St Louis College of Health Careers offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their St Louis campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has roughly 299 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are around $15,415 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $792. Typically, the program is completed in 9 months.
Vatterott College-Berkeley
8580 Evans Avenue, Berkeley, Missouri 63134Medical Assistant – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Vatterott College is offered at their Berkeley campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 1,141 students are on 2-year programs. Vatterott College-Berkeley has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* Fees for tuition are generally about $12,650 per year. Books and supplies can cost in the order of $2,178, although this will depend on the program.
Vatterott College-St Charles
3550 W. Clay Street, St Charles, Missouri 63301Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
Vatterott College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are based at their St Charles campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 326 students are on 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* Tuition fees are around $12,524 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $2,447, depending on the program.
Vatterott College-Sunset Hills
12900 Maurer Industrial Dr, Sunset Hills, Missouri 63127-1516Medical Assistant – Associate Program, Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Vatterott College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their Sunset Hills campus in the city of Anchorage, Missouri. The majority of of the school’s 434 students are on 4-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* Fees for tuition are about $12,728 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $2,135, although this varies from program to program.
* 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 Missouri may also wish to review their options in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois.
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