Medical Assistant Schools in Wichita
A degree in medical assisting can have a great impact on your career prospects and your ability to serve the people around you. There are over 385,000 people living in Wichita, Kansas that rely on its strong health care network. As a medical assistant, you may be able to work alongside nurses, doctors, and nurse practitioners in many different environments and you will be a crucial part of healthcare delivery.
Checking out multiple medical assistant schools in Kansas is a good way to assess your options and figure out which program can help you get the training you need. You can find them listed on our website, and we encourage you to request detailed program information from the schools you are interested in.
Schools and Jobs in Wichita
You may find medical assistant programs in Wichita at community colleges, technical colleges, hospitals, and other educational institutions. Shorter options in this field may include diploma and certificate programs. These take about one year of study. An Associate’s degree in medical assisting may require four semesters of study.
As a medical assistant in this area, you may be able to earn a wide range of salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for a Wichita medical assistant is almost $13.20 per hour (BLS, 2015). Earnings may vary depending on your educational level and experience.
Several types of employers hire medical assistants, including nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics. Some of the main employers in the Wichita area include GraceMed Health Clinic, Kansas Surgical Consultants, Summit Health, and Legend Senior Living.
Transportation and Networking in Wichita
You may find it helpful to take advantage of public transit while attending school in Wichita. As a health care student, you may need to travel to clinical sites as well as your traditional courses. Wichita Transit provides bus service all over the Wichita area, allowing you to get a range of clinical experience across the city.
Networking is an important part of this field. The American Association of Medical Assistants notes that there is an active Kansas chapter of the group. You may wish to join to get access to training events and networking opportunities.
Getting a Medical Assistant Degree
The Kansas medical assistant program you attend will likely have a varied curriculum that prepares you for the Certified Medical Assistant exam.
Whether you attend a one-year program or a two-year program, you may take many of the same courses. A course like Medical Law and Bioethics can teach you about how to legally and ethically provide care to patients. You begin learning about patient care early in your program by taking classes like Clinical Competencies, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Exam Room Procedures.
You may also be expected to develop a strong knowledge of medical terms and theory. Commonly required courses include Pharmacology and Medical Terminology. By completing these classes, you may be able to take instructions more effectively from other medical professionals.
Your program will likely have a strong focus on hands-on experience. From early courses that include a lab component to an internship at the end of your degree, you can get the experience you need to feel comfortable in a medical assistant job. Request more information from schools to learn about MA program details in Wichita.
Salary numbers provided are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.