In order to become a medical assistant in Georgia, you must attend a certified training program.
This will result in a diploma or certificate, as well as access to information and processes needed to pass the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification exam in medical assisting.
To help set you on the right path, here are some schools in Georgia that offer medical assisting programs, as well as salary information for your career.
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5 Medical Assistant Schools in Georgia
Savannah Technical College
Savannah Technical College (STC) is a coastal school on the South Carolina line by the Atlantic Ocean.
The school has campuses in Chatham, Liberty, and Effingham counties and is in the Technical College System of Georgia.
They are also associated with Savannah Culinary Institute.
At STC, the clinical medical assistant program is super basic and very affordable.
It is a six-week course that can also be self-paced to take up to three months.
The total cost is only $135.
Start dates vary, and the program consists of 12 lessons.
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.
Woodruff Medical and Wellness Training
At Woodruff Medical and Wellness Training at the Tucker, GA campus, students can enroll in a medical assisting program.
This program takes six to nine months, and tuition costs vary according to the school program website.
New classes start every month and include a hybrid learning environment of hands-on lab work and online coursework.
Miller-Motte College
Miller-Motte College (MMC) in Augusta, Georgia is a school that is located on the eastern border of the state.
Here, students can take the medical clinical assistant program course.
It is a hybrid program consisting of online coursework and hands-on training.
There is an externship involved that provides in-person experience.
The course takes 13 months and 60 credit hours to complete.
In Georgia, the school offers the certificate track for students at Augusta, Columbus, and Macon campuses.
Medical Institute of Northeast GA (MING)
The Braselton campus of the Medical Institute of Northeast GA (MING) provides medical assistant training.
This school is located midway between Atlanta and Athens in a more rural setting.
Students interested in a career in medical assisting can take their 12-week course that includes an additional 80 hours on an externship.
The program is during the day, as well as in the evenings, and includes a Saturday-only track program.
The cost for the program is $3,500 and includes all supplies and books, as well as National Healthcareer Associate (NHA) exam fees.
There is a $100 non-refundable fee for registering for the program, as well.
South Georgia Technical College (SGTC)
At South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) in Tucker, GA, which is in the southern part of the state, students have an opportunity to learn at a more affordable rate.
Students must be 17 or older to apply, and an ACT or SAT score is required for admission.
A total of 54 semester credit hours are required for students to complete the medical assisting program.
Upon graduation, students receive a diploma from the college.
Tuition is $100 per credit hour and this includes additional fees, including room and board, if applicable.
Medical Assistant Schools in Georgia – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Georgia
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Savannah Technical College | 5717 White Bluff Rd, Savannah, GA 31405 |
| Woodruff Medical and Wellness Training | 1927 Lakeside Pkwy, Tucker, GA 30084 |
| Miller-Motte College | 175 Tom Hill Sr Blvd, Macon, GA 31210 |
| Medical Institute of Northeast GA (MING) | 1215 C Tuscany Dr, Braselton, GA 30517 |
| South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) | 900 S Ga Tech Pkwy, Americus, GA 31709 |
Salary
The salary for a medical assistant in the US is a median average of $37,914 a year.
This is in a range of between $32,262 and $43,695 across the geographic nation.
For comparison, the medical assistant salary in Atlanta, Georgia is at a median yearly average of $37,504.
This is on a scale from $31,913 to $43,223 and right on par with the US.
In South Georgia, which is more rural, Valdosta medical assistants earn an annual salary of $34,160.
It is actually impressive that you can earn more in South Georgia compared to Atlanta and the rest of the nation.
Since the cost of living is cheaper compared to the metro city and state capital, you stand to improve your cost of living by working in Valdosta instead of Atlanta as a medical assistant.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Assistants in Georgia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $37,504 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $35,480 |
| Columbus | $34,482 |
| Savannah | $35,626 |
| Athens-Clarke County | $37,239 |
| Macon | $35,375 |
| Roswell | $37,362 |
| Albany | $34,851 |
| Marietta | $37,398 |
| Valdosta | $34,160 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | 420 | $32,790 | $15.76 | $38,230 | $28,180 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 760 | $38,840 | $18.67 | $46,270 | $30,860 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 14,720 | $39,240 | $18.86 | $47,390 | $30,280 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 1,370 | $35,030 | $16.84 | $43,050 | $28,470 |
| Brunswick, GA | 150 | $35,810 | $17.22 | $42,910 | $28,490 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 800 | $34,660 | $16.66 | $39,770 | $26,810 |
| Dalton, GA | 300 | $35,250 | $16.95 | $43,360 | $28,850 |
| Gainesville, GA | 990 | $39,860 | $19.16 | $47,780 | $31,080 |
| Hinesville, GA | 80 | $34,400 | $16.54 | $40,210 | $29,790 |
| Macon, GA | 1,130 | $36,050 | $17.33 | $43,530 | $27,720 |
| Rome, GA | 370 | $35,680 | $17.15 | $43,150 | $28,070 |
| Savannah, GA | 870 | $36,300 | $17.45 | $44,650 | $29,250 |
| Valdosta, GA | 330 | $31,820 | $15.3 | $37,030 | $25,140 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 340 | $33,760 | $16.23 | $41,600 | $27,890 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Schools by City
Frequently Asked Questions
Do medical assistants have to be certified in Georgia?
No, medical assistants do not have to be certified in the state of GA.
However, in order to get a job, you are most likely going to have to show some credentials or proof of training to showcase experience in the field.
This is where passing the NHA exam for certification in medical assisting is beneficial, following graduating from a training program at a school or college.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Georgia?
Depending on the program you choose, it could take as few as eight months to become trained with a certificate in medical assisting.
A diploma program could take two years and is similar to an associate degree program.
What are medical assistants allowed to do in GA?
In GA, a medical assistant can manage patient tasks, including giving injections, getting vital signs, changing wound dressings, and administering treatments.
Is direct supervision required for Georgia medical assistants on the job?
Yes, in Georgia medical assistants may require direct supervision while performing medical tasks on patients.
Can a medical assistant administer an IV in Georgia?
Yes, the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia dictate that a licensed home health assistant may provide intravenous maintenance for patients in a home health setting or agency.
