Jumpstart a New Career in Medical Assisting in Rhode Island
Job markets are flourishing all over the US; the state of Rhode Island bears no exception. One industry in particular demonstrates a pattern of demand throughout the country as well, and that is Healthcare.
Medical Assisting is as a result, becoming a popular profession, showing a twelve and a half percent increase in job openings as of this writing (Bureau of Labor Statistics). [Leer en español]
Outlook
The outlook is optimistic in Rhode Island. The job market is on the rise and is only expecting to continue its growth. Some speculate that job security is a given, with the demand on healthcare largely due to the needs of the aging baby boomer population, as well as those availing themselves of the Affordable Healthcare Act.
Salary
Another aspect of this occupation, which factors in region and other demographics, is that of wages. Pay scales fluctuate by facility type (clinic or specialty, for example), region (such as rural versus metropolitan), staff experience level (entry-level versus advanced), and other factors.
The average wages earned by Medical Assistants in Rhode Island is currently reported as $15.87 hourly. Top earners made more than $19.97 hourly. (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm)
Salaries by Metropolitan Area in Rhode Island
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA | 2,120 | $15.23 | $31,670 |
Requirements
There is no special certification requirement for Medical Assistants in the state of Rhode Island. This means that medical support personnel for the most part, are allowed to perform all of the same functions whether licensed or unlicensed.
Obtaining Certification
Although Medical Assistants are not required by Rhode Island law to become certified, pursuing the field without it is no longer practical. Practicing without a license will significantly decrease your marketability and overall success in the field. Check out the AAMA website for details on obtaining certification.
Popular Schools
College and University Listings
Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA Area
Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln
622 George Washington Hwy, Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Lincoln Technical Institute is taught at their Lincoln campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has around 563 students in total, with most students on programs that last under 2 years. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 40 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. The program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Fees for tuition are about $16,298 for each academic year.
Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute-West Warwick
186 Providence Street, West Warwick, Rhode Island 02893Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute is taught at their West Warwick campus in the city of Anchorage, RI. Most of the school’s 196 students are on short programs of under two years. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 62 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute-West Warwick is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* Tuition fees are generally around $17,000 annually.
* 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 also the neighbor states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey.
Healthcare News for Rhode Island
Lifespan, nurses union reach new tentative deal
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Lifespan and United Nurses and Allied Professionals Local 5098 reached tentative agreement on a new, five-year contract, both sides announced Friday, signaling an possible end to a bitter labor dispute.The agreement will go to a vote by union membership on Wednesday, but it has the unanimous backing of the negotiating committee, Local 5098 president Frank Sims said in a statement Friday.“After months of bargaining, we have finally reached a [...]
R.I. Hospital to lose $25.3 million due to Medicare rules change
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A change in Medicare payments for care of patients in hospitals in New Jersey, Delaware and Rhode Island has resulted in a $25.3-million reduction of funds to Lifespan’s Rhode Island Hospital, hospital officials said.The reduction in the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, according to Lifespan chief financial officer Mamie Wakefield, presents “a significant financial challenge. We do not want to have a deficit bottom line. [...]
Care New England finances improving since Memorial Hospital closure
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Care New England Health System recorded $4.6 million in net income from operations for the third quarter of its current fiscal year, an improvement from the $6.5-million net loss from operations during the same quarter, April through June, of last year, the company announced."The financial information reported today continues to show that the focus, strategic planning, and dedication of staff across CNE is making a significant impact," Dr. James E. [...]