How to Become a Medical Assistant in West Virginia

Your responsibilities as a medical assistant will include a combination of administrative and clinical duties. You may be responsible for answering phones, greeting patients and helping them schedule their hospital visits. Additionally, you may need to monitor a patient’s vitals, help them understand their prescription or even administer their medication.[Leer en español]

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Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in West Virginia

In West Virginia, medical assistants do not need to earn a degree or certification before finding employment.

In many cases, however, employers in this state may prefer to hire candidates who have completed a post-secondary training program and earned certification, especially since having these credentials will allow you to take on greater levels of responsibility than candidates who have no training or experience within the field.

In other cases, you may be able to find employment with only a high school diploma or GED.

Medical Assisting Training and Educational Programs in West Virginia

While completing a medical assistant training program is not required by law, if you choose to do so, it would be wise to enroll in one that is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

These two trusted medical assistant schools in West Virginia that help ensure that those entering the medical field receive proper training.

Huntington Junior College

Huntington Junior College allows students to earn an associate’s degree in medical assisting. The program will take about two years to complete, and students are also required to complete an unpaid externship before graduating.

Mountwest Community and Technical Medical

Mountwest Community and Technical Medical Assisting College Assisting College are located in the city of Huntington. Students will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree after completing two years of study.

West Virginia Northern Community College

West Virginia Northern Community College is located in the city of Wheeling. The school also offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in medical assisting, which will be earned after two years of study.

Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant in West Virginia

There are four national certifications available for medical assistants to choose from. These include the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), and the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). Each exam is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Successful completion of an ABHES- or CAAHEP-accredited medical assistant training program will most likely make you eligible to sit for these exams.

Since each certification has its eligibility requirements, you may be able to use your professional experience to bypass educational requirements, or you may need to show a combination of both education and experience.

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

To sit for the CMA exam, you must have completed an accredited training program or have about five years of experience working as a medical assistant. Additionally, you will need to submit an application and fee to the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). If approved, you will then be able to schedule your exam date and time.

Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

The RMA credential is offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). To be eligible to take the certification exam, you must have completed an accredited medical assistant program or have two years of full-time work experience as a medical assistant.

You will also need to submit an application and fee to the AMT. Once approved, you will be able to schedule your exam date and time.

National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)

The NCMA credential is offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). To sit for the certification exam, you must have completed an accredited medical assistant program or have one year of full-time work experience as a medical assistant.

You will also need to submit an application and fee to the NCCT. Once approved, you will be able to schedule your exam date and time.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant(CCMA)

The CCMA credential is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To be eligible to take the certification exam, you must have completed an accredited medical assistant program or have one year of full-time work experience as a medical assistant. You will also need to submit an application and fee to the NHA. Once approved, you will be able to schedule your exam date and time.

West Virginia State Licensure for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants in West Virginia are not required to hold a state license. However, those who wish to use the title “licensed medical assistant” (LMA) must meet the requirements set forth by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses. To use the title LMA, you must have graduated from an accredited medical assistant program and passed the credentialing exam of one of the four nationally-recognized organizations. You must also submit a notarized application, along with the required fee, to the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in West Virginia

The landscape for medical assistants in West Virginia has seen a notable update in terms of compensation. As of 2022, medical assistants in the state now earn an average annual salary of $30,850, with entry-level positions starting at $26,860 or less, and the top 10% earning $37,120 or more. This represents a shift from the previously recorded figures in 2020, indicating a gradual increase in wages for medical assistants in West Virginia.

National vs. West Virginia Salaries for Medical Assistants

Location Annual Low (10%) Annual Median Annual High (90%)
United States $30,390 $38,270 $51,710
West Virginia $26,860 $30,850 $37,120

Salaries and Percentiles by Region in West Virginia

Region Annual Low (10%) Annual QL (25%) Annual Median (50%) Annual QU (75%) Annual High (90%)
Beckley, WV $22,870 $27,970 $28,850 $30,640 $34,620
Charleston, WV $29,070 $29,910 $31,180 $35,220 $36,750

Medical Assistant Trends in West Virginia

The employment outlook for Medical Assistants in West Virginia is exceptionally positive, with a projected growth rate of 32% from 2020 to 2030. This rate significantly surpasses the national average growth rate of 14% for the same period. In 2020, there were 3,380 medical assistants employed in the state, and this number is expected to increase to 4,460 by 2030. Annually, there are projected to be 560 job openings in West Virginia for medical assistants, which includes new job growth as well as replacements for positions vacated by workers leaving the field. This robust growth indicates a strong demand for medical assistants in West Virginia, reflecting broader healthcare industry trends and the state’s specific needs.

Employment Trends

Location Employment (Start Year) Projected Employment (End Year) Projected Growth Projected Annual Job Openings
West Virginia 3,380 (2020) 4,460 (2030) 32% 560
United States 764,400 (2022) 870,200 (2032) 14% 114,600

Sources of data:

  1. West Virginia Data: The employment figures and projections for West Virginia are sourced from Projections Central, specifically their 2020-2030 long-term projections. Projections Central specializes in state-level employment projections, providing detailed insights into various occupations.
  2. United States Data: The national employment statistics and projections are obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), particularly their 2022-2032 employment projections.

Working as a Medical Assistant in West Virginia

Cities like Falling Waters, Yellow Spring, and Capon Bridge are where some of the top-paid medical assistants in this state can be found working.

You should expect to find employment in hospitals, private practices, local clinics, urgent care offices, or other medical facilities.

Entry level position may have you performing administrative tasks such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, and handling patient records.

Clinical internship may give you the opportunity to work one-on-one with patients, taking vital signs, updating medical histories, and preparing patients for examination.

While the main function of your job will include interacting with people, you should also expect to be responsible for handling important medical records, listening attentively, and communicating effectively.

Popular Medical Assistant Schools in West Virginia

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FAQs

How much do medical assistants earn in the state of West Virginia?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of West Virginia made an average of $29,740 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $23,310 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $37,970.

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