Training & Certification
Medical assistant schools and programs are available in several different educational venues in Maryland, including community colleges, accredited colleges, vocational schools, technical colleges and universities, many of which offer online courses. There are currently over 10,000 medical assistant jobs throughout the state with an expected growth of 30 percent over the coming decade. Although medical assistant salaries vary slightly depending on the area, the hourly median wage in Maryland is $5 more than the national wage. If you're looking for a rewarding career in healthcare in a state with growing opportunities, look into training and certification as a medical assistant in Maryland.
- Maryland's Best Medical Assisting Schools
- Finding a Medical Assistant Program in Maryland
- Maryland's State Certification Requirements
- Medical Assistant Salaries in Maryland
- Maryland's Medical Assisting Career Trends
- School Spotlights in Maryland
- Extra Resources
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Top Medical Assisting Schools: Maryland
To be considered for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria:
- Accredited at the institutional level
- Private nonprofit or public school
- Minimum of 1 bachelor’s or master’s degree in subject area for 4-year schools
- Minimum of 1 associate degree or certificate program in subject area for 2-year schools
Schools were then scored on factors such as:
- Cost & Financial Aid
- Number and variety of program offerings
- Student-teacher ratios
- Graduation rates (4-year schools only)
- Placement and support services offered
- Academic/Career counseling services
- Employment services
- Loan default rates
These factors were assembled for each school and rated using a peer-based-value (PBV) calculation. PBV compares the cost of a program to the cost of other programs with the same (or similar) qualitative score and cost. PBV denotes the overall value or "bang for your buck" of a college or degree program.
Aspiring medical assistants start ton their career paths by first earning a degree or certificate in the field. This puts them on the path to helping patients and assisting health care professionals by managing medical offices and clinics, maintaining patient records, taking medical histories and scheduling patient appointments. To find the medical assisting program that allows you the time and resources you need to maintain your personal and professional obligations, do your research. Our list of 2017's Top Medical Assisting Schools in Maryland can help.
Students who are interested in gaining employment directly after graduation may be interested in pursuing Harford Community College's associate degree or certificate in medical assisting. With the skills in administrative functions and medical understanding that are fostered in this program, students will be given a competitive edge over other future applicants to medical assisting positions. Students will work in small class environments meant to facilitate communal academic engagement and productive interactions between students and faculty members. Students may spend their free time socializing with their peers at one of Harford's regularly held campus events.
Frederick Community College offers an associate of applied science degree program in medical assisting that will guide students to immediate employment after their two years of learning. FCC is eager to accept students from a variety of backgrounds, and is willing to honor any applicable credits earned at a previous two-year or four-year institution of higher education. For students with busy daily schedules, FCC's online or evening class sessions may allow for academic advancement while maintaining personal priorities. FCC students who excel in their academics may be eligible for certain merit-based scholarships that can help to lighten any financial stress applied by college tuition.
A degree earned in medical assisting from Allegany College of Maryland will help guide students into a successful career as a medical assistant in a medical office, clinic, or urgent care facility. Students will take on both medical and administrative duties throughout their degree program, learning to schedule medical appointments, process medical payment, and assisting physicians during routine medical checkups. Allegany offers its learning in several different formats to fit the different needs of its students, including distance learning, evening courses, and even weekend courses. Allegany happily accepts applicable credits earned at different college-level schools to go towards an Allegany degree.
Certification & Training Requirements for Medical Assistants in Maryland
1.How is "medical assistant" defined in Maryland?
Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of physicians, usually in outpatient facilities, such as clinics and medical offices. They are trained to perform clinical duties including assisting during exams, preparing and administering medications and collecting and preparing lab specimens, as well as administrative duties.
2.Is certification required?
Licensure and certification is not required of medical assistants in Maryland. All that is needed is a high school diploma or GED.
3.Is certification available?
Although certification is not required in Maryland, physicians hiring them are at liberty to request training or certification. For this reason, medical assistants may voluntarily become nationally certified. Approved certifications available include (but may not be limited to):
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
4.How do Maryland medical assistants maintain their credentials?
The CMA credential is valid for 60 months. Recertification in Maryland through the AAMA requires the medical assistant holds a current CMA credential and completes one of the following:
| Recertification by Examination | To pass the examination originally taken to become a medical assistant. |
| Recertification by Continuing Education | To accumulate 60 recertification points over the five years of the current CMA credential’s validity. This must include 10 administrative points, 10 general points, 10 clinical points, 30 points from a combination of the above categories. |
5.Are there tasks outside the scope of medical assistants in Maryland?
A Maryland medical assistant may not:
- Conduct a physical exam
- Dispense medications
- Provide physical therapy services
- Give medical advice without consulting a physician
- Initiate independent treatment except CPR
Salaries for Medical Assistants in Maryland
The following 2014 salary figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offer a comparison between medical assistant earnings in Maryland and nationally.
| Annual Wage 25th percentile | Annual Wage Median | Annual Wage 75th percentile | Hourly Wage Median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $26,990 | $31,980 | $36,950 | $15.37 |
| National | $25,500 | $29,960 | $36,070 | $14.41 |
Source: BLS, 2014
Maryland Medical Assistant Salaries: City and Metropolitan Area Salaries
Salaries for medical assistants can vary by thousands of dollars a year depending on location, illustrated by the 2014 wage amounts from the BLS shown in the map below. The highest paying areas are located in or around Bethesda, while Cumberland and Hagerstown have lower wages.
| Area | Annual Wage 25th percentile | Annual Wage Median | Annual Wage 75th percentile | Hourly Wage Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Towson, MD | $27,760 | $32,450 | $36,870 | $15.60 |
| Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division | $27,470 | $33,250 | $38,210 | $15.99 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | $24,590 | $28,860 | $35,060 | $13.87 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $24,020 | $28,270 | $33,380 | $13.59 |
| Salisbury, MD | $26,390 | $30,460 | $35,500 | $14.64 |
Source: BLS, 2014
Maryland Medical Assisting Employments Trends
Medical assistant jobs are projected to grow by 6.4 percent from 2012-2022 in Maryland. While this is respectable growth compared to other jobs, it's much lower than growth for medical assistants in other parts of the country. The table below compares Maryland medical assisting job growth with national growth.
Medical Assistant Estimated Employment Growth 2012-2022
| Average Annual Openings | Current Employment | Projected Employment 2022 | Jobs Added | Growth Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 250 | 9,810 | 10,440 | 630 | 6.4% |
| National | 26,990 | 560,800 | 723,700 | 162,900 | 29% |
*Source: Projections Central, 2012-2022
Maryland Medical Assisting Schools Spotlight
There is a wide range of medical assisting programs to choose from throughout the state of Maryland's universities, community colleges and vocational school, here are a few reputable ones to give you a place to begin your search.
ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
School Type:Community college
Accreditation:Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB)
School highlights:A 31-credit, three term program
Offers degree, certificate and Letter of Recognition for graduates
Practice in the clinical college laboratory
Programs offered:Medical Assistant Certificate
Healthcare Delivery Systems Certificate
Medical Assisting Associate of Applied Science
Pharmacology for health professions
Allied health and medical ethics
Electronic medical records
Anne Arundel Community College
CECIL COLLEGE
School Type:Vocational college
Accreditation:Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB):
School highlights:Courses include coding and insurance and managed care
Opportunity to sit for to the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA/AAMA) exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
Programs offered:Certificate of Medical Assisting
Associate Degree in Healthcare Sciences
Anatomy and physiology for allied health
Medical terminology
Psychology essentials
Medical office procedures
Professionalism in healthcare
Maryland Medical Assistant Resources
Maryland Society of Medical Assistants
This is the website for the MSMA; a professional body which provides membership and promotes the professional identity of people in the medical assisting profession throughout Maryland.
Maryland Medical Assistant State Exam
While the state does not require a license or certification, you may need one to get a position or a promotion. This site details the CMA and RMA and explain how you can take them.
The American Association of Medical Assistants
The AAMA provided certification, information and membership for medical assistants throughout the USA.