A Medical Assistant (MA) usually performs EKG heart monitoring readings, and blood draws for testing (phlebotomy) and helps patients feel comfortable.
MA training in Pennsylvania encompasses a few certifications into one.
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- Licensing Requirements to Become a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
- 5 Medical Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
- Salary
- Schools by City
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the requirements to become a medical assistant in Pennsylvania?
- How long does it take to complete a medical assistant program in Pennsylvania?
- What will I learn in a medical assistant program?
- How much does it cost to become a medical assistant in Pennsylvania?
- How do I renew my medical assistant certification in Pennsylvania?
- What are some common misconceptions about medical assistants in Pennsylvania?
Licensing Requirements to Become a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not require Medical Assistants to acquire a license in the state.
However, becoming a Physician’s Assistant is a different story.
If you would rather work as a Physician’s Assistant in the state, make sure you check out the requirements and recourses for doing so.
Pennsylvania offers an American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and a National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certificate.
You also could achieve the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Another popular credential is the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential offered by American Medical Technologists (AMT).
When you seek schooling, make sure you enroll in coursework that matches one of the popular credentialing bodies.
This will prepare you for the content that will be in your certification exams.
Keep in mind that most healthcare positions also require some mandatory health and safety training, such as infection control or CPR at least for the first time you earn your certificate.
5 Medical Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
Before choosing a school, check out the curriculum.
You may also want to visit the website of your preferred certified body or contact some local medical centers.
This will ensure that your training meets health and safety requirements.
1. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Pennsylvania Highlands offers a Medical Assisting associate degree training program.
It is more comprehensive than a certificate course and prepares you for the NCMA exam hosted by NCCT.
This instruction covers both the clinical and administrative sides of becoming a Medical Assistant in PA.
It even covers some billing and coding, which some MAs do.
2. Lincoln Technical Institute (Lincoln Tech)
At Lincoln Tech, your training will prepare you to take the RMA exam offered by AMT.
This learning center also provides flexible scheduling.
What is more, your instructions include EKG machine training, lung test practice, and how to take vital signs.
In addition, you’ll gain experience dressing surgical wounds and performing phlebotomy tasks.
3. Pennsylvania Institute of Technology (PIT)
PIT offers you the chance to earn a CMA credential.
The included training will prepare you either for a Medical Assistant position or to function as a Phlebotomist, Patient Care Technician, or EKG Technician. Sometimes, an MA will play all three roles.
This certificate program only takes about 11 months to complete.
4. YTI Career Institute
This training center provides you with Medical Assistant training that takes only 20-24 months.
During this period, you will gain experience working in the front office greeting patients, performing billing record duties, and scheduling patient appointments.
In addition, you will perform vital sign tests and provide compassion to patients waiting for EKG or phlebotomy testing.
5. Northampton Community College
Northampton offers training that prepares you for work in an outpatient facility, surgery center, or general hospital.
You also may experience what working in private practice would be like if you took this coursework and corresponding clinical training.
Practice taking patient vital signs and preparing blood samples for lab work.
Medical Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Pennsylvania
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | 101 Community College Wy, Johnstown, PA 15904 |
| Lincoln Technical Institute | 5151 Tilghman St, Allentown, PA 18104 |
| Pennsylvania Institute of Technology | 800 Manchester Ave, Media, PA 19063 |
| YTI Career Institute | 3050 Hempland Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 |
| Northampton Community College | 3835 Green Pond Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020 |
Salary
A Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania makes an average of $37,838 as reported by May 2022.
The earnings usually range from $34,886 to $40,858.
You can increase your earnings to more than $43,608 per year if you achieve other certificates, including Phlebotomy or EKG Technician credentials.
Cities to look for jobs include Danville, New Berlin, Pittsburgh, and Leechburg.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $40,614 |
| Pittsburgh | $37,345 |
| Allentown | $38,210 |
| Erie | $35,021 |
| Upper Darby | $40,614 |
| Reading | $37,716 |
| Scranton | $34,995 |
| Bethlehem | $38,210 |
| Lower Merion | $40,614 |
| Bensalem | $40,950 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 1,610 | $39,550 | $19.02 | $47,310 | $33,040 |
| Altoona, PA | 360 | $34,030 | $16.36 | $43,790 | $29,130 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 140 | $36,240 | $17.42 | $44,300 | $31,200 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 260 | $38,410 | $18.46 | $51,000 | $30,160 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 200 | $34,890 | $16.77 | $40,110 | $29,670 |
| Erie, PA | 470 | $35,240 | $16.94 | $44,220 | $30,330 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 150 | $38,250 | $18.39 | $48,090 | $31,140 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 1,310 | $38,600 | $18.56 | $47,150 | $30,620 |
| Johnstown, PA | 240 | $33,640 | $16.17 | $42,510 | $26,090 |
| Lancaster, PA | 900 | $38,740 | $18.62 | $47,190 | $31,420 |
| Lebanon, PA | 190 | $38,130 | $18.33 | $47,950 | $30,970 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 12,250 | $41,520 | $19.96 | $47,960 | $35,010 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 5,230 | $37,980 | $18.26 | $44,730 | $31,200 |
| Reading, PA | 710 | $39,960 | $19.21 | $47,760 | $34,260 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 800 | $36,960 | $17.77 | $46,090 | $30,760 |
| State College, PA | 180 | $37,560 | $18.06 | $46,720 | $30,570 |
| Williamsport, PA | 230 | $36,290 | $17.45 | $45,240 | $29,260 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 700 | $37,830 | $18.19 | $46,750 | $30,510 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Schools by City
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to become a medical assistant in Pennsylvania?
Most postsecondary schools require that you have a high school diploma or equivalent before enrolling in their program.
Potential employers want you to complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass a certification exam.
How long does it take to complete a medical assistant program in Pennsylvania?
Most medical assistant certificate programs in Pennsylvania can be completed in about a year.
If you decide to earn an associate degree, you would attend school for about two years.
What will I learn in a medical assistant program?
Most certificate programs will teach you both medical office procedures and some direct patient care skills.
All training usually comes with information about patient privacy and medical ethics.
How much does it cost to become a medical assistant in Pennsylvania?
The cost of becoming a medical assistant in Pennsylvania varies.
If you apply for workforce-based training, you will pay less upfront.
Certificate programs only cost less than $2,000.
Accredited colleges might charge more, but they also help you acquire federal financial aid.
How do I renew my medical assistant certification in Pennsylvania?
You need to earn continuing education credits and renew your certification every five years as of 2010.
Check with your education provider for more information on current renewal requirements.
It is not for the state but for the places you might work.
What are some common misconceptions about medical assistants in Pennsylvania?
People might think that a Medical Assistant only works in doctor’s offices.
However, that is not true.
They can work in emergency rooms, nursing homes, at blood banks, public clinics, and more.
