Your Career in Montana Starts Here
There is no better time than the present to start a career in medical assisting in the great state of Montana. There are approximately 810 individuals employed as Medical Assistants in Montana currently. Though most work in clinical settings such as hospitals, Medical Assistants can work in a variety of settings and may carry out a diverse range of clinical and administrative tasks. [Leer en español]
Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Montana expects to see a 23 percent increase in job openings by the year 2022. That means there are currently 40 new job openings each year.
Salary
It is important to note that the salaries these dynamic medical workers earn are as variable as the jobs themselves. Pay differentials are based on location, context, experience level, proficiency, and other factors. Some healthcare personnel may have started in the career as novices, working as nursing aids or caregivers, eventually having advanced within the field.
Wages reported in 2012 were between $11.57 and $18.58 hourly, depending on the employer, the region, skills and experience of the employee.
Salaries by Metropolitan Area in Montana
| AREA | TOTAL EMPLOYED | EMP_PRSE | MEAN HOURLY SALARY | MEAN ANNUAL SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 230 | 15.9 | 14.38 | 29,910 |
| Great Falls, MT | 70 | 27.1 | 14.64 | 30,460 |
| Missoula, MT | 80 | 22.9 | 14.88 | 30,960 |
Licensing and Certification
There is no legislature in Montana that calls for special licensing of any kind, and Medical Assistants can carry out any duty that is delegated by a doctor or nurse. That being said, there are general rules that apply across the board.
As an example, they can never diagnose a patient, nor can they prescribe a treatment or medication regimen. They can assist with evaluation, assist with diagnostic processes (to an extent) and assist with treatments.
Certification for this work does exist and recognized by a governing authority. Assistants with certification are not awarded any special privileges with regard to their limitations or what clinical tasks they may fulfill. Certified and non-certified staff are bound by the same permissions and limitations. The benefits of certification are many, though, because more employers actually require their assistants to be certified than in past years. Being certified shows dedication, perseverance, a genuine interest in the work, endurance, and most of all, skills and experience.
Pursuing Certification
The first thing to do is to visit the website of the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) to learn what the recognized awards are, and how to go about acquiring them. The organizations recognized to regulate and monitor certification of Medical Assistants are national, and the certification will be indispensable when you land your first job.
Below is an exhaustive list of schools and relevant programs that provide training in medical assisting, in areas of Montana. Compare and contrast programs to make an informed choice that suits you and your specific goals.
Popular Schools
College and University Listings
Great Falls, MT Area
Great Falls College Montana State University
2100 16th Ave S, Great Falls, Montana 59405Medical Assistant – Associate Program
The Associate’s program at Great Falls College Montana State University can be taken at their campus in the city of Anchorage, Montana. The majority of of the school’s 1,657 students are on 2-year programs. Great Falls College Montana State University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.* Fees for tuition for in-state students are about $3,130 and for students from other states likely to be about $9,382 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $1,400, although this varies from program to program.
Southwestern Montana nonmetropolitan area Area
Highlands College of Montana Tech
25 Basin Creek Rd, Butte, Montana 59701Medical Assistant – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Highlands College of Montana Tech is taught at their campus in the city of Anchorage, Montana. The college has around 850 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. Fees for tuition for in-state students are in the order of $3,325 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $8,595 yearly. Study materials can cost around $1,100, depending on the program chosen.
Montana State University
Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Montana State University is taught at their campus in the city of Anchorage, Montana. Of the 15,236 students, about 11% are postgraduates. The school is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.* The cost of tuition for students living in the state is about $6,887 and for students from other states around $23,186 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,300, depending on the program.
Western Montana nonmetropolitan area Area
Flathead Valley Community College
777 Grandview Dr, Kalispell, Montana 59901Medical Assistant – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Flathead Valley Community College can be taken at their campus in the city of Anchorage. This public college has around 2,169 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.* The cost of tuition for in-district students is usually in the order of $4,112 and are $5,486 and $11,254 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Learning materials may cost in the order of $1,000, although this will vary with the 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
See options in Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.
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