How to Become a Medical Assistant in West Virginia

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The medical community represents a variety of people.

All who dedicate themselves to helping people.

Many do not get the chance to become a physician, but they find that medical assisting is satisfying.

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Get information on Medical Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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What is a Medical Assistant?

Good medical assistants are hardworking, reliable, and responsible.

You must have exceptional communication and organizational skills.

You must also handle small details well and have a strong work ethic.

When you work in the medical field, anything can happen.

You need to be on top of everything and provide first aid.

The requirements of a medical assistant depend on the facility and the month of work that it has.

Some basic duties include:

  • Scheduling both routine emergency appointments
  • Preparing patients before the examination
  • Administering prescribed medication
  • Taking X-rays and EKG

How to Become a Medical Assistant in West Virginia?

The state of West Virginia does not need a formal education to become a medical assistant.

But because medicine is a constantly changing field, there are serious needs.

More education will get you further in this field.

If you want to further your education in the medical assisting field, you have three options:

  • Medical assistant certificate
  • The medical assistant associate degree program
  • Medical assistant diploma

When you go this route, the program must have accreditation.

There are two places you can get that from:

  • The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
  • The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

Requirements to Become a Medical Assistant in West Virginia

Although West Virginia does not license medical assistants, employers set their requirements.

Qualifications are essential to remaining competitive in this field.

Getting a license or certification can improve your chances of getting a better-paying job.

There are several schools to help you achieve your medical assisting goals.

Mountwest Community and Technical College

Mountwest Community and Technical College Logo

Huntington, WV

Associate of applied science degree in medical assisting

Graduates can perform CPR and administer first aid.

They can also record vital signs, secure lab samples, and record patient histories.

They will also know how to do front office tasks like reception, billing, and scheduling.

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Logo

Martinsburg WV

Associates of Applied Science in Medical Assisting

They prepare graduates for immediate entry into the allied health field.

Their skills include both front-office administrative work and patient-oriented responsibilities.

New River Community and Technical College

New River Community and Technical College Logo

Beaver, WV

Associate of Applied Science Degree in medical assisting

Prepares students not just for the workforce.

They are also prepared to take the National Health Career Association exam.

West Virginia Northern Community College

West Virginia Northern Community College Logo

Wheeling, WV

AAS in Medical Assisting

It’s a 1+1 program that’s best for full-time students.

Graduates will work in various ambulatory care environments.

This includes doctor’s offices and hospitals.

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Logo

Logan, WV

AAS in Medical Assisting

They prepare students to perform entry-level work in various ambulatory health environments.

They will also have the knowledge necessary to sit for some certification exams.

Medical Assistant Schools in West Virginia – Summary Table

Top 5 Schools in West Virginia

School NameAddress
Mountwest Community and Technical College1 Mountwest Way, Huntington, WV 25701
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College13650 Apple Harvest Dr, Martinsburg, WV 25403
New River Community and Technical College280 University Dr, Beaver, WV 25813
West Virginia Northern Community College1600 Chapline St, Wheeling, WV 26003
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College1601 Co Hwy 52/27, Williamson, WV 25661

Salary

Annual Salary Range:
$30K
$33K
$36K

Average Salary of Medical Assistants in West Virginia

City NameSalary
Charleston$34,536
Huntington$33,865
Parkersburg$33,668
Wheeling$37,118
Morgantown$37,118
Weirton$36,991
Fairmont$37,118
Beckley$34,233
Clarksburg$33,364
Martinsburg$42,016
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in West Virginia

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Beckley, WV280$31,420$15.11$36,350$24,550
Charleston, WV590$34,460$16.57$39,820$28,910
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH990$35,450$17.04$43,640$28,880
Morgantown, WV580$35,950$17.29$42,590$29,710
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV230$33,140$15.93$39,010$28,120
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH240$34,040$16.36$40,090$26,420
Wheeling, WV-OH300$35,320$16.98$40,050$29,450
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Medical Assistants, OCC Code 31-9092, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Medical Assisting programs teach?

When you educate yourself in any of the approved courses, you will get a ton of information.

For instance, you will learn about:

  • Healthcare law
  • First aid
  • Medical ethics
  • CPR
  • Medical terminology
  • Emergency procedures

How do I get National Certification?

To get a national certification, you must pass the certified medical assistant exam.

It is multiple-choice with questions about general, clinical, and administrative medical assistant subjects.

How to get a job as a medical assistant?

The medical assistant profession grows more important every day.

This leads to a growing number of employers and excellent job opportunities.

However, the number of novice licensed medical assistants is going up.

Medical assistants can find jobs in hospitals, private offices, and other medical facilities.

The licensed candidate has several advantages.

One of the biggest is the ability to choose between a job in a large hospital or a small private facility.

They also have the power to negotiate their salary.

There are many clinics in West Virginia looking for assistants who know what they are doing.

Some of those places include:

  • CRC Health in Dumont
  • Med Express in Cross Lanes and Charleston
  • Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood

How much do medical assistants make?

The demand for new medical assistants is high.

Right now, West Virginia medical assistants’ salaries are modest.

It varies between cities but it is somewhere between $30 and 33 thousand a year.

What are the duties of medical assistants?

A typical day involves several duties for a medical assistant to manage.

They have to talk to the doctor about the patient, help with treatments, etc.

The daily workload of a healthcare team depends on medical assistants.

This makes the ideal candidate for this position someone willing to learn new skills.

That is why more employers are hiring graduates from accredited schools.

They want people ready to perform medical duties immediately once they start working.

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