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Medical Assistant Schools in Oklahoma City
(found 8 schools)

If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant, you should first picture yourself in the job. As a medical assistant, you’ll be performing some or many of the following tasks:

  • You’ll work in a physician’s office, healthcare clinic or hospital.
  • You’ll support doctors and nurses, and in some cases, you’ll work closely with patients.
  • You’ll take vital signs, prepare patients for exams, and update medical records.
  • If you specialize, you may be asked to assist in certain procedures.
  • You’ll usually be the first person to see a patient. You need strong interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate verbally, and the ability to listen.

We want you to be well-informed about becoming a MA, so we’ve put together a list of schools that offer medical assisting schools in OKC! You can read more about earning your degree, or if you’re ready, you can skip straight to the bottom of the page to request program information from schools near you!

Medical Assistant Degrees

To become a medical assistant with the greatest opportunity for advancement, you should plan on a two-year associate degree program that’s accredited by either the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). Oklahoma employers generally prefer certification because it’s evidence of training.

Another option that requires less time to complete but does not result in certification is a vocational school program. These programs result in a diploma or certificate (not the same as certification). This minimum level of education is good enough for an entry-level position.

Medical Assistant Certification

There are four agencies that grant different titles, but the AAMA’s Certified Medical Assistant is the most highly respected. Here’s the process to get your CMA:

  • Complete the coursework in an accredited associate degree program.
  • Apply to the AAMA to take the test. All the information you need about the process can be found in the Candidate Application and Handbook
  • Schedule your exam at a testing center near you. Testing centers are available in many Oklahoma cities.
  • Don’t forget to study.
  • When you pass the exam, you’ll officially be a CMA.
  • Every five years, you’ll need to be re-certified.

Scholarships

The Maxine Williams Scholarship is a fund that was established in 1959 to honor the founder of the American Association of Medical Assistants, Maxine Williams. In 2013 there were three $1,000 grants awarded to CMA students. To qualify, you need to meet the following qualifications:

  • Currently enrolled in and has completed a least one quarter or semester at a medical assisting program accredited by CAAHEP.
  • 3.0 or higher grade point average.

Students cannot apply for this scholarship directly. If you’re interested, request an application from your program director.

Advancement Opportunities

If you opt for the diploma or certificate program to get your foot in the door, you’ll have a head start if you decide to return to school to get your degree. Once you’re a CMA, you can look around at the opportunities for specialization. You may find an area, like podiatric or opthalmic medical assisting, that provides not only personal satisfaction, but could result in a higher salary as well. If you want to take it a step further to go into nursing, once again, you’re halfway there.

Salary and Job Outlook for Medical Assistants

According to BLS statistics (2016), Medical Assistants in Oklahoma City earn an average of $29,480 annually. As you gain experience and find your niche, you may increase your value, and likely your paycheck as well, if you decide to specialize. There’s a need for both administrative and clinical medical assistants. The BLS expects employment of medical assistants to grow by 29 percent from 2012 – 2022, which is much faster than the average.

Major Healthcare Employers in Oklahoma City

Taken from the July 2014 list of Oklahoma City’s Major Employer’s provided by the Greater Oklahoma City Partnership, the top four healthcare employers in the city are:

  • INTEGRIS Health, on the NW Expressway
  • OU Health Sciences Center, on NE 13t5h St.
  • Mercy Health Center, on W. Memorial Road
  • SSM Health Care of Oklahoma, on North Lee

If medical assisting is sounding more and more like the job for you, the first step is to get a degree and get certified. In Oklahoma City, there are many colleges and technical schools that offer medical assisting programs. You can find our school listings below and request information from multiple institutions to learn more.

Salary numbers provided are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.