Medical Assistant Schools in Charlotte

Overview

If you’ve ever wanted to start a career in the medical field and serve the people of Charlotte, you may be a perfect fit for a medical assistant program. This career allows you to work alongside doctors and nurses while providing valuable services to Charlotte’s 842,000 residents.

Before you can start a career and work with patients, you need to a get a great education! Check out our list of medical assistant schools in Charlotte. You can then contact any schools you may want to attend.

There are many different settings that employ medical assistants. You may find work at some of Charlotte’s best hospitals, include the Carolinas Medical Center, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, and Novant Health Matthews Medical Center.

One of the main benefits of studying in a large city like Charlotte is the easy access to public transit. In Charlotte, you have the Charlotte Area Transit System. CATS offers bus and rail service, allowing you to get wherever you need to go whenever you need to get there.

Medical Assistant Education in Charlotte

Since you’ll be working closely with patients, it’s important to have a strong foundation of knowledge in medical skills and theories. The majority of medical assisting programs are at technical colleges and community colleges. The good news is that tuition at these schools is often considerably less than tuition at four-year schools. For example, tuition at South Piedmont Community College is $76.00 per credit for residents and $268.00 per credit for non-residents.

Throughout the course of your MA program, you can expect to take classes in many different areas and topics. Some of the classes you may have to take include Medical Office Laboratory Procedures, Clinical Procedures, Medical Terminology, and Pathophysiology. All of these classes give you the knowledge and skills you need to successfully complete a practicum course. In your practicum course, you may go to a local clinic or hospital and use your skills on real patients. In addition to your practicum course, you may get lots of practical experience in each class as you learn new skills.

Some schools may recommend pursuing certification as a medical assistant. All certification goes through the American Association of Medical Assistants. You can apply to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam as soon as 30 days prior to graduation. Upon passing this exam, you get a certificate that is good for five years.

Career Outlook for Medical Assistant Graduates in Charlotte

After you have worked hard and completed a degree or diploma in medical assisting, it is time to start your career! In general, there are two main jobs you can take on. There are approximately 4,010 MAs working in the Charlotte metro, according to 2016 BLS data.

In general, this degree can help you earn a very competitive starting salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Charlotte medical assistants earn an average salary of $33,330 per year (BLS, 2016).

There are several ways you can increase your earning potential and take your career to the next level. You may wish to take continuing education seminars as new medical technology comes out. These courses can also help you learn about new treatment techniques. It’s also important to network within the community. If you join the North Carolina State Society of Medical Assistants, you can attend networking events, find job postings, and go to continuing education seminars.

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