Medical Assistant Schools in Seattle

With over 608,000 residents, it’s clear that Seattle needs a strong backbone of medical providers to keep people healthy. If you want to start a career in the medical field in as little as nine months, consider becoming a medical assistant!

In order to become a medical assistant, you have to get a thorough education in the theories and skills required by employers. There are many schools in the Seattle area; check out our list of schools below and contact any schools you’re interested in attending.

Medical assistants are used in many different settings, including private clinics, free clinics, and college campuses. Some of the largest employers in Seattle are hospitals, including University of Washington Medical Center, Evergreen Health Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and Virginia Mason Medical Center.

As a student, you’ll likely spend lots of time going to class, work, and practicum sites. Save money on your transportation costs by using the Seattle Transit. They offer bus service, rail service, and train service. With several different lines running at any given point, you can almost always find a bus or rail pickup that fits your schedule.

Medical Assistant Education in Seattle

Seattle is home to plenty of schools that can help you get your start in the field of medical assisting. You may find the most options at technical and community colleges in the area. Look into the two main options in this field: a one-year certificate program or a two-year Associate’s degree program. Tuition varies from school to school, so it’s important to consider tuition and financial aid before deciding on a school. Tuition at North Seattle Community College is $102.91 per credit for residents and $279.62 per credit for non-residents. You may be able to apply for scholarships, including one offered by the Washington State Society of Medical Assistants.

There are many facets to a medical assisting curriculum. You’ll need to learn how to treat patients, how to perform basic billing tasks, and how to take down patient information. Some of the classes you may be required to take include Basic Life Support, Clinical Competencies, Phlebotomy, and Medical Office Laboratory Procedures. You put all your experience to use during clinical hours and a final practicum course. In these field experiences, you go out to local clinics and hospitals to practice your skills on real patients.

The courses you complete as a medical assisting student may prepare you for licensure as a Certified Medical Assistant. All certification at this level goes through the American Association of Medical Assistants. After passing a thorough examination, you can receive a certificate that is good for 60 months.

Career Outlook for Medical Assistant Graduates in Seattle

Starting your career is the exciting final step to becoming a medical assistant in Seattle. The majority of graduates choose to work as medical assistants in hospitals and medical offices; the average salary for a medical assistant in Seattle is $39,370 per year (BLS, 2016).

It’s important to maintain your education, professional connections, and career growth. You can meet all three of these goals by joining the Washington State Society of Medical Assistants. Becoming a member of this group can entitle you to attend special events, find out about new job opportunities, and go to continuing education events.

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