A Hawaii Medical Assistant usually only has to train for less than a year to start working.
You would seek your certification after spending enough hours training to take your exam.
Training hour requirements vary.
Page Navigation
- Licensing Requirements to Become a Medical Assistant in Hawaii
- 4 Medical Assistant Schools in Hawaii
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does Hawaii Medical Assistant training take?
- How much does Hawaii Medical Assistant training cost?
- Do you need a degree in Hawaii?
- What is your role as a Medical Assistant?
- What is the usual training path for a HI Medical Assistant?
- What is the difference between a medical assistant and a physician assistant?
Licensing Requirements to Become a Medical Assistant in Hawaii
Certification is a matter between you, a private credentialing body, and the school you plan to attend.
One credential you could earn is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
Another possibility is the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam provided by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
More options include the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
It is best to check with potential employers and schools in your location before you decide what exam to prepare for.
4 Medical Assistant Schools in Hawaii
Not all the program descriptions of the schools you plan to attend will mention possible certification options.
You will need to contact admissions directly or find what each national certification association recommends.
This relates to the NCCT, NHA, and other organizations that host the certification exams you take.
1. Kapiolani Community College
This University of Hawaii learning center has both degree and certificate programs.
The Medical Assisting one includes 33 credits, which you could complete in about a year.
There is also a shorter training session of only 20 credits you could take, depending on your current experience level.
Instructions could apply to both new and updated certification requirements and continuing education (CE) hours.
2. Hawaii Pacific Health
High school seniors can get started at this learning center’s medical assistant program tuition-free.
It takes two semesters (one year) and includes 225 clinical externship hours.
This training includes core anatomy, terminology, and physiology courses.
It also prepares students for both clinical and office duties.
Your instruction resembles how a day in the life of a Hawaii Medical Assistant would be.
3. Stanly Community College
This school offers both audit and credit classes.
You can turn to this educational resource to meet continuing education requirements or enroll in a CMA program.
Coursework is said to meet training requirements, but it never hurts to make sure that still applies to the current year.
4. Med Assisting
This workforce-based learning center prepares you for what you need to know about working in Hawaii.
Duties this coursework would prepare you for include updating patient billing and insurance records, taking care of wounds, and reading EKG machines.
Medical Assistants completing coursework here can perform most duties that do not require a diagnosis or treatment judgment call.
You can assist in these areas under a doctor’s supervision and orders though.
Medical Assistant Schools in Hawaii – Summary Table
Top 4 Schools in Hawaii
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Kapiolani Community College | 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816 |
| Hawaii Pacific Health | 55 Merchant St Fl 26, Honolulu, HI 96813 |
| Stanly Community College | 141 College Dr, Albemarle, NC 28001 |
| Med Assisting |
Salary
Hawaii Medical Assistants can make an average annual income of $39,779.
Salaries range from $36,675 to $42,954.
Places where you can find jobs include Honolulu, Hilo, Waimea, and Kailua-Kona.
Earning extra certifications and gaining more experience could put you over $45,000 per year.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Assistants in Hawaii
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Honolulu | $39,302 |
| Hilo | $39,036 |
| Kailua | $39,302 |
| Kaneohe | $39,302 |
| Waipahu | $39,284 |
| Ewa Beach | $39,302 |
| Pearl City | $39,302 |
| Mililani Town | $39,231 |
| Kahului | $39,036 |
| Kihei | $39,036 |
Regional Salary in Hawaii
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | 330 | $45,230 | $21.74 | $60,010 | $37,510 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 2,770 | $43,820 | $21.07 | $54,240 | $35,960 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Hawaii Medical Assistant training take?
It depends on how you prefer to learn.
Some programs start you out working in a few weeks, and you complete your coursework around your clinical schedule.
You also could choose to attend school full time and work part-time, which you could possibly finish in eight months or less.
How much does Hawaii Medical Assistant training cost?
Hawaii Medical Assistant training usually costs about $3,000-$6,000 for a certificate program.
Some training may cost more, however.
It depends on equipment, supplies, and the type of training environment you work in.
Do you need a degree in Hawaii?
No, Medical Assistants in Hawaii do not need a degree.
However, the certificate courses will usually cover all certification topics, including some your employer must train you in.
This includes First Aid, CPR, medical ethics and legal information, and clinical or diagnostic procedures.
If you do earn an associate degree, which takes two years, or a bachelor’s degree, which takes four years, you could prepare for supervisory, management, or upper-level medical roles.
Neither of these credentials is required for entry-level or even Level II MAs, however.
What is your role as a Medical Assistant?
You act as the connection between a doctor and nurses and their patients.
This includes using EKG reading machines, preparing exam room tables, and operating training devices.
You could also work in the reception area taking phone calls, filing patient records, and scheduling appointments.
What is the usual training path for a HI Medical Assistant?
Usually, you will enroll in a workforce-based or traditional college Medical Assisting program (or similar program title).
In addition, you would earn the national certification preferred by a potential employer.
At the same time, you would also seek on-the-job experience.
What is the difference between a medical assistant and a physician assistant?
A Physician Assistant usually performs more extensive duties than a Medical Assistant.
This training may interest you if you have already worked as a CMA in Hawaii for a couple of years.
Two of your primary duties would include helping doctors treat and prevent cardiovascular problems and cancer.
Becoming a PA instead of an MA (CMA) requires state licensure.
