Medical Assistant Schools in South Carolina

Responsible for many important tasks within medical environments, medical assistants in South Carolina are an essential component of the state’s doctor’s offices, hospitals, and healthcare facilities. Handling projects like preparing lab tests, drawing blood, giving injections, and taking patient histories, medical assistants perform a diverse set of roles within the healthcare industry.

If you are interested in entering this vital profession, contact the schools you see on this site that offer Med Assisting programs in South Carolina to get program information.

Medical Assistant Education in South Carolina

If you wish to enter a medical assistant training program in SC, you likely have a personal interest in medical topics like biology, anatomy, and chemistry. Taking an extra course in science during high school may help you meet the challenges of training in a medical field at the college level.

A four-year degree isn’t mandatory to become a medical assistant, and South Carolina offers a variety of online and brick & mortar program options. Future medical assistants will commonly enter a certificate or associate’s degree program. Medical assisting certificates and associate’s degrees can take anywhere between one year to two years to complete; however, part-time study may extend that timeframe.

Curriculum and Admissions for Medical Assistant Programs in South Carolina

Admissions requirements vary for each SC med assisting school, but students should try to maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA for high school and college before application to a program. Also, while in the program, you may need to maintain a certain GPA that equals least a “C” or better.

The curriculum of the program will vary depending on the school chosen. Common topics include medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, psychology, basic math courses, and a clinical experience or practicum taken during the final semester or quarters of study.

Most importantly, you may need to submit documentation of a negative TB skin test, current immunizations, and CPR certification. Documentation is required because of the work you will perform during your clinical experience.

A program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is an important way to find a med assisting course that offers a challenging and useful curriculum. Accreditation with the CAAHEP means that the curriculum meets the minimum standards for school faculty, facilities, administration, and resources.

After graduating from a South Carolina medical assistant program, you will want to investigate membership with the South Carolina Society of Medical Assistants. The group offers a yearly state conference for members, as well as regular meetings and workshops designed to further the careers of its members.

Additionally, graduates will want to consider taking the Certified Medical Assistant exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) as certification may open more doors regarding employment opportunities. Other licenses and certifications include:

Medical Assisting Careers in South Carolina

With significant growth of the profession predicted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), training to become a medical assistant is something to consider if you want to enter a profession with promising job prospects.

Nationwide, the BLS suggests over 162,000 medical assistant jobs will be added to the economy over the next several years, which represents a healthy 29 percent growth. According to further data from the BLS, South Carolina has 8,430 jobs for medical assistants.

One of the defining factors regarding maximum income for medical assistants in South Carolina is whether a job is located in a rural or urban area. Nationwide, the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests the mean annual wage for medical assistants in South Carolina is $29,050.

The aging population in America will require many additional healthcare workers in the coming years, and the economy of South Carolina may be seeing a significant influx of retired couples and individuals. According to research by “U.S. News & World Report,” South Carolina’s capital city of Columbia is one of the best places in the nation to retire. Therefore, a degree or certificate from a medical assistant program may offer a solid chance for reliable, essential employment.

Reach out to the schools on our site to learn more about your options for becoming a Medical Assistant in South Carolina.

Listed below are all of the schools offering Medical Assistant programs in South Carolina. As a rule, you should contact at least 3-5 schools during the course of your research, and ideally more. There are important differences between the programs in terms of cost, admissions requirements, and other characteristics, and, as with many things in life, the way to find the best Medical Assistant program for your needs is to spend some time shopping around.

Here Are The Medical Assistant Schools…

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