There are several medical assistant schools in Rhode Island, and the best ones vary depending on your specific needs and goals.
You will want to look for schools that offer accredited degrees and pass rates well above the national average, as this will ensure you have a good foundation upon which to build your career.
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- 6 Medical Assistant Schools in Rhode Island
- Salary
- Schools by City
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there any specific training or certification required in Rhode Island in order to become a medical assistant?
- What is the difference between a Medical Assistant and a Medical Secretary?
- Are there any other benefits that come with going to school for this field besides getting a job after graduation?
- What is the best school in Rhode Island for a medical assistant certificate?
- How long does it take to get a job as a medical assistant in Rhode Island?
6 Medical Assistant Schools in Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island–Kingston
The University of Rhode Island offers a variety of concentration options for NP students who are looking to get into one of the top nurse practitioner programs in Rhode Island.
You can choose from an MSN, BSN, or DNP and a postmaster’s certificate.
Salve Regina University—Newport
Salve Regina University has carefully blended a 40-hour on-campus skills-based experience so you do not lose the personal learning experience.
The faculty comprises experts who have passionately contributed to the education of their students and their own knowledge by pursuing innovative research.
Rhode Island College- Providence
Rhode Island College’s NP program is one of the top programs for nurse practitioners in Rhode Island.
It has produced many nurses who are dedicated to meeting the needs of Rhode Island’s residents.
The nursing school strongly emphasizes clinical competence in its NP education.
The college provides leaders with the skills to improve the health of diverse patient populations through interprofessional education, simulation technology, and varied clinical experiences.
There are two routes to earning your certification as an AGACNP if you’re looking for NP programs in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island graduate certificate NP program builds on your nursing knowledge and gives you certification as an Adult-Gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.
You must hold an MSN and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
You will be required to complete 18 credits of courses in order to learn how to manage older adults and critically ill patients.
Pinnacle Career Institute
The medical assistant certificate program prepares students for both administrative and clinical duties.
It includes practical experience in a local healthcare facility.
Medical assistant trainees at PCI go to Medical Assistant Bootcamp, which helps them improve and sharpen their skills before they enter the workforce.
One year average program length plus externship clinical experience.
US Career Institute
US Career Institute offers an online program in administrative medical assisting that can be done entirely online and is completely self-paced.
This certificate program covers medical billing, coding, patient records, and office management.
It also includes insurance billing and payments.
The training can be completed in less than four months.
Open enrollment means that students can start the program whenever they feel ready.
Students are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam upon completion of the program.
Average Program Length: four months
Tuition: $1,270
Allied Health Institute
Allied Health Institute offers a two-year online diploma in medical assisting.
Open enrollment allows students to begin monthly.
Students can only take one class per month, so they can focus on mastery of the topic and not move on to other classes.
All classes in clinical and administrative medical assistant are online.
Students can also fulfill externship requirements at designated places near their homes.
Average Program Length: 16 months
Tuition: $11,600
Medical Assistant Schools in Rhode Island – Summary Table
Top 6 Schools in Rhode Island
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of Rhode Island–Kingston | 45 Upper College Rd, Kingston, RI 02881 |
| Salve Regina University—Newport | 100 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840 |
| Rhode Island College- Providence | 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave Providence, RI 02908 |
| Pinnacle Career Institute | 50 Jenckes Hill Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865 |
| US Career Institute | 2001 Lowe St, Fort Collins, CO 80525 |
| Allied Health Institute | North Providence, Rhode Island 02904 |
Salary
In Rhode Island, the average salary for a medical assistant averages $37,860 annually.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Assistants in Rhode Island
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Providence | $39,809 |
| Warwick | $39,809 |
| Cranston | $39,809 |
| Pawtucket | $39,809 |
| East Providence | $39,809 |
| Woonsocket | $39,771 |
| Coventry | $39,733 |
| North Providence | $39,809 |
| Cumberland | $39,809 |
| West Warwick | $39,809 |
Regional Salary in Rhode Island
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 3,490 | $40,840 | $19.64 | $47,340 | $33,050 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Schools by City
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any specific training or certification required in Rhode Island in order to become a medical assistant?
Medical assistants are required to have an associate degree or diploma in health services from a recognized post-secondary institution.
They must also pass the National Association of Medical Assistants Examination (NAMAE), which is one of the country’s most important exams for this profession.
What is the difference between a Medical Assistant and a Medical Secretary?
Medical Assistants are typically responsible for performing a variety of administrative and clerical tasks related to the practice of medicine.
This could include taking dictation, organizing and maintaining medical records, filing paperwork, preparing patient charts, and more.
Medical secretaries usually have an advanced degree in business or nursing and are typically well-versed in Microsoft Word and other office software applications.
They may also handle phone consultations for patients or doctors, manage email inquiries from patients or physicians, and create calendars based on doctors’ scheduling needs…the list goes on!
Are there any other benefits that come with going to school for this field besides getting a job after graduation?
Many jobs in this field require advanced degrees or certifications that may not be available right after graduation.
By obtaining these qualifications, you can further enhance your resume and increase your chances of getting promoted to a higher-paying position.
What is the best school in Rhode Island for a medical assistant certificate?
The University of Rhode Island’s School of Allied Health is likely your best bet.
This school has been accredited by the National Commission on Accreditation of Medical Schools (NCAMS), and its programs often offer the most up-to-date Becker Modular Learning curriculum.
Additionally, this school consistently ranks as one of America’s Best Colleges by Forbes magazine.
How long does it take to get a job as a medical assistant in Rhode Island?
It can take a few weeks to several months to find a job as a medical assistant in Rhode Island.
