Do you want to work in the healthcare field but are not sure what path to take?
Becoming a Medical Assistant in Missouri could prepare you for other paths, such as nursing or even physician work.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Medical Assistant in Missouri
Missouri does not have any requirements for becoming a Medical Assistant.
However, most postsecondary schools want you to have a high school diploma or GED before admission.
Employers want you to have one of the following certifications:
- The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
- Certified Medical Assistant (MA, or CMA) National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) supplied by the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
Missouri employers also usually recommend training accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
When seeking a qualified training program, it is best to choose a school that partners with one of the most popular MA credentialing bodies, such as what the AAMA, NCCT, NHA, or AMT provides.
4 Medical Assistant Schools in Missouri
1. Keiser University
Keiser University offers a degree in Medical Assisting that develops your skills in taking patient vital signs, minor surgery assistance, and laboratory testing.
You will also learn how to perform EKG heart monitor readings and take X-rays.
2. St. Charles Community College
The St. Charles Medical Assisting program will have you learning how to schedule appointments, comfort patients before their exams, take care of laboratory specimens, and record vital signs.
You will also receive practice with filing insurance claims, taking EKG heart rhythm scans, and removing stitches.
Your training will make you ready to work with physicians, nurses, specialists, and more.
3. Bolivar Technical College
You can attend the eight-month Medical Assistant certificate program at this school.
It will teach you a variety of aspects of patient care, including reading vital signs or preparing patients for a phlebotomy (blood draw) test.
This course will also set you on the path to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Prepare for work, not at a hospital or doctor’s office but also at assisted living and long-term stay facilities and nursing or retirement homes.
4. Bryan University
The Medical Assistant Diploma at Bryan University will prepare you for a position during which you would provide basic patient care.
In the process, you will learn how to interact with patients preparing for testing and treatment.
In addition, this coursework will teach you how to handle patient records and learn how to stay organized.
Medical Assistant Schools in Missouri – Summary Table
Top 4 Schools in Missouri
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Keiser University | 1500 NW 49th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 |
| St. Charles Community College | 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr, Cottleville, MO 63376 |
| Bolivar Technical College | 1135 N Oakland Ave, Bolivar, MO 65613 |
| Bryan University | 4255 S Nature Center Way, Springfield, MO 65804 |
Salary
A Medical Assistant in Missouri can make an annual income of about $36,132.
Salaries usually range between $33,313 to $39,016 per year.
If you renew and add to your training, certification, and experience, you could make a yearly income of more than $40,000.
Cities, where you can find jobs in Missouri, include Lee’s Summit, Ballwin, Creve Coeur, Chesterfield, and Grand View.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Assistants in Missouri
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas City | $37,182 |
| St. Louis | $37,330 |
| Springfield | $35,821 |
| Independence | $37,142 |
| Columbia | $36,916 |
| St. Joseph | $36,854 |
| Lee's Summit | $37,041 |
| St. Charles | $37,128 |
| St. Peters | $37,047 |
| Florissant | $37,270 |
Regional Salary in Missouri
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 270 | $34,210 | $16.45 | $41,560 | $28,280 |
| Columbia, MO | 400 | $34,280 | $16.48 | $41,260 | $28,950 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 280 | $34,290 | $16.49 | $42,830 | $25,410 |
| Joplin, MO | 300 | $33,830 | $16.26 | $39,730 | $28,310 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 4,430 | $38,830 | $18.67 | $46,450 | $31,200 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 240 | $35,880 | $17.25 | $44,440 | $30,420 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 6,160 | $38,190 | $18.36 | $45,460 | $31,330 |
| Springfield, MO | 1,270 | $34,610 | $16.64 | $40,810 | $29,390 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Schools by City
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does certification cost?
Every national certification body has its own fee schedule.
Exams typically run from about $2000-$6000, depending on if study materials are included.
This does not include school tuition, but some schools might include a voucher toward a certification exam in their fees.
Does becoming a Missouri Medical Assistant require a degree?
No, the state does not require a degree.
However, employers recommend training that includes EKG machine, phlebotomy, infection control, sterilization, and exam room assistant training.
You have the option of acquiring an associate’s or bachelor’s degree if you decide to use your medical assistant training toward a nursing career.
Do Medical Assistants in Missouri have advancement opportunities?
Yes, they do.
You could either pursue a nursing career, or you could use your administrative medical assisting experience to become an office manager in a hospital, nursing home, or another office department.
How much does Missouri Medical Assistant training cost?
That depends on the type of training you receive.
Some workforce-based programs may start out at about $3,000-$5,000, but college certificate training might run you at least $6,000 or more.
Workforce training costs less upfront and allows you to work sooner, but you might still have to take additional certification courses.
The college programs might offer you more comprehensive training, which federal financial aid typically covers.
What does a Medical Assistant do all day?
The Clinical Medical Assistant (MA) might record heartbeats and take blood pressure readings.
They will also greet patients and guide them to an exam room.
Work in this position might also include some phlebotomy (blood drawing).
As an administrative assistant, an MA would take phone calls and greet patients at the door, schedule appointments, and file billing and insurance records.
