Administrative Medical Assistant Programs in Alaska

An administrative medical assistant plays a key role in the operation of many medical clinics, private practices and other healthcare facilities. In many cases, this type of medical assistant is the first person to greet an arriving patient, making a valuable first impression.

The job may also include the scheduling of appointments, noting patient insurance information and compiling notes regarding patient care. If you like the idea of interacting with patients in an empathetic and caring manner, this may be an excellent job to consider. Contact the schools you see on our site that offer Administrative Medical Assisting programs in Alaska to begin.

Educational Requirements

You’ll often find that a clinic, hospital, nursing home or other facility will require that an administrative medical assistant be in possession of a diploma from an accredited certificate program. Some may also require that you are professionally certified through the National Health Careers Association. Still other prospective employers will require the successful acquisition of an Associate’s Degree before they will consider an application.

The certificate requirement is by far the most common. When O*Net asked administrative medical assistants about the amount of education they had, 65 percent said they had completed a certificate program. Another 18 percent stated that they had received an Associate’s Degree, and another 10 percent said that they just had a high school diploma.

Admission Requirements

A diploma from a high school, or its equivalent, is required for enrollment into certificate programs. Some schools may require a passing grade on a computer keyboard exam and/or an English proficiency test. Admissions requirements for Associate’s Degree programs in Medical Assisting in Alaska are usually more stringent, with some requiring a minimum high school GPA for admission into the school of your choice.

Academic Programs

A certificate program in Administrative Med Assisting can often be completed in 12-18 months, especially if you attend classes on a full-time basis. Although some general classes will be included in the curriculum in most cases, the majority of the coursework will specifically prepare you for work as an administrative medical assistant. There may be classes in medical office procedures, medical transcription, patient coding, producing medical documents and public health.

Those that enroll in an Associate’s Degree program will generally find that it involves a two-year course of study. There will be additional general classes in areas like math, sciences and English. Some Medical Assisting degree programs in Alaska will also offer studies in psychology, anatomy and current U.S. health issues.

It is possible to be certified through the National Health Careers Association, which administers the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam. Successfully passing the exam will result in a two-year certification that may expand job opportunities and income potential. To be re-certified, it is necessary to complete 10 hours of continuing education classes every two years.

Career Outlook for Administrative Medical Assistants in Alaska

Pay in Alaska is much higher than the U.S median wage of $29,600. According to O*Net, the Alaska median wage in 2013 was $38,700, which puts the state near the very top of the U.S. pay scale for this position. That same organization projects excellent job growth in this profession, with 22 percent more jobs available in 2022 than in 2012. Jobs for Alaska administrative medical assistants will be concentrated in and around population centers like Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Nome, although some assistants work in “hubs” that have been organized in a way that brings medical services to the widespread rural areas of the state.

This is an exciting time to begin a career as an administrative medical assistant. You may be involved in the continuing transition over to electronic medical records, as mandated by federal government. Your work may also be impacted by the continuing adoption of various aspects of the Affordable Health Care Act. Positions in this field often carry a good degree of job security, and professional advancement may be possible as you take continuing education classes and gain experience. Contact schools today directly from our website to learn more about your options.