Medical Assistant Schools in Albuquerque
Getting an education to become certified as a medical assistant provides an effective means for becoming a part of the exciting and ever-changing health care field. You’ll often work alongside physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other medical professionals.
It is often possible to complete the coursework required to become a medical assistant in approximately 12 to 24 months. After you become certified, you’ll have an opportunity to take on many varied responsibilities. Some medical assistants gather patient histories, take and note a patient’s vital signs, assist patients in the hospital room or help patients prior to their visit with the doctor in the exam room. Some medical assistants are responsible for front desk or administrative duties.
If medical assisting is the career field you’d like to pursue, request information directly from the medical assisting schools in Albuquerque at the bottom of the page. Or, you can simply type in your zip code in the quick search at the top of the page to find schools near you.
Medical Assistant Education in Albuquerque, NM
Medical assistant schools in Albuquerque are available that offer at least one three degree options: an Associate’s degree, certificate or diploma. The programs that lead to a certificate or diploma are usually about one-year long. Certificate and degree programs will be quite focused on specific medical assistant courses. By contrast, the curriculum for a two-year Associates degree will also include a variety of general education classes in addition to those more specifically related to becoming a medical assistant.
There are approximately four schools that offer students accredited MA programs in the Albuquerque area. Any one of the three types of programs, diploma, certificate or Associate’s degree, can be found right within the city.
Medical assisting students typically gain access to a variety of hands-on educational opportunities. There can be laboratory-oriented classes, and clinical experiences may be included in other coursework. After you get further into your studies, you may have an opportunity to participate in an internship at an area medical center, hospital or clinic. We recommend networking during these internships to open up future employment possibilities.
Your studies can lead you to become a CMA, or Certified Medical Assistant. After you’ve been in the field for five years or more, it becomes possible to take an exam on the way to becoming an RMA, or Registered Medical Assistant.
Many medical assistants secure employment in physicians’ offices, hospitals and medical centers. Still others find jobs at community health facilities or nursing homes.
Once you compete your studies to become a medical assistant, a wide array of opportunities in professional health care environments may open up for you in Albuquerque, elsewhere in the state and across the country.
Local Information for Albuquerque, NM
One of the benefits of attending a MA school in Albuquerque is the availability of public transit. ABQ Ride is the city’s system that provides bus service across the metropolitan area. Many students take advantage of public transit to minimize expenses while they complete their studies.
Students attending medical assistant school in Albuquerque can benefit from the fact that a number of professional medical associations are headquartered there. Opportunities for additional education may be found via the city’s educational institutions and major hospitals. Students can also benefit from the services of the New Mexico Society of Medical Assistants and the New Mexico Hospital Association. The Greater Albuquerque Medical Association is another professional association headquartered right in the city.
Medical Assistant Job Outlook in Albuquerque, NM
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Mexico has one of the highest concentration of medical assistant jobs in the United States. The annual mean wage for MAs is $29,800 in Albuquerque (BLS, 2016).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts much higher than average increases in the employment of medical assistants. In fact, job growth nationwide is expected be more than 29 percent for period spanning 2012 to 2022. Specifically, the BLS projects approximately 162,900 new job openings for medical assistants during that time span.
If you like people and health care, this is a great career option for you. Simply contact the schools on our page to learn more about MA programs in Albuquerque and get started in this growing medical field.
Salary numbers provided are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.