Medical Office/Admin Assisting Programs in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a small state, but there are many opportunities to work in health care and as a medical admin assistant. According to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, health care job growth in Rhode Island is currently being fueled by a variety of factors. Those factors include an aging population in need of additional medical care, a statewide workforce shortage, medical advances and recently insured individuals benefiting from the Affordable Care Act.

Further data from the RI Department of Labor and Training reveals that the healthcare and social assistance industry will be responsible for creating 8.7% more jobs by 2024 in a variety of environments like ambulatory care facilities, outpatient centers, and doctor’s offices. Medical secretaries are employed in each of these areas, as well as virtually all offices that operate in the healthcare sector.

To learn how to get started as a med assistant in Rhode Island, contact the schools below for program details.

What to Expect in a Medical Admin Assistant Program

You’ll find a variety of opportunities for training in Rhode Island at schools that offer online med assisting classes, as well as classes on campus at local community colleges. The choice to enter a certificate or associate’s degree program is entirely up to you, and you’ll find sufficient training with either type of program. A certificate program may be completed in less than a year while associate’s degrees tend to take about two years.

There are many campuses around the state where you can find classes in cities like Lincoln, Warwick, Providence, and Newport. Some of the classes you’ll take will deal with handling patient records, essential medical terminology, and various administrative duties required of the job. By the time you graduate, you should be familiar with everything a traditional administrative assistant knows with the added benefit of understanding the health care industry.

You’ll likely find the most medical office jobs in the offices of physicians, with many additional jobs in the offices of dentists and various health practitioners. You may also find jobs in outpatient care centers, as well as diagnostic laboratories and medical research facilities. Further, you may find work with medical insurance companies or government departments at the local, state, and federal level.

You can also find positions under a variety of job titles that stretch far beyond Medical Admin Assistant. Some of the other job titles you may find during your job search include Medical Secretary, Patient Service Representative, Bilingual Sales Representative, and Administrative Secretary.

As you write your resume and begin looking for jobs, an essential part of your search will include getting certified. Although the law in Rhode Island doesn’t require you to become certified to work as a medical secretary, employers still look favorably upon candidates with their Medical Administrative Assistant Certification (CMAA).

Career Outlook for Medical Admin Assistants in Rhode Island

With a degree or certificate as a medical office assistant, you’ll find a variety of positions open in facilities like doctor’s offices, hospitals, and various outpatient care centers. A recent report from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training reveals that the entry level wage for workers in the state is $11.70 an hour.

However, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests medical secretaries in the state of Rhode Island earn a median hourly salary of $17.43 an hour. After a few years, you may be able to join the top earners in the state and reach a wage of $47,750.

Overall, the career outlook for medical office assistants is a positive one, and you’ll be able to choose from many different working environments. If you enjoy the excitement of a hospital, you’ll find jobs with many major facilities. This variety means you’ll be able to choose an area of health care that suits your interest and help patients each time someone arrives to get checked in for their appointment.

Contact the medical assistant schools in Rhode Island listed below to get started.