I want to provide you with comprehensive information on the numerous medical assistant (MA) programs near Wichita to help kickstart your allied healthcare career. With details on training formats, admissions, curriculum and more across various colleges, this guide offers everything you need to know to make an informed education decision!
What is a Medical Assistant and What Do They Do?
Let’s first understand this versatile role contributing to the smooth operations of healthcare facilities through specialized administrative and patient care duties under physician oversight.
Medical assistants typically:
- Manage front desk operations – appointments, admissions, billing etc.
- Maintain accurate electronic health records (EHR software)
- Assist doctors during patient consultations and examinations
- Handle lab specimen collection and analysis
- Educate patients regarding medications, diets and post-care guidelines
- Perform common diagnostic tests like EKGs and vision screenings
- Administer prescription medications and immunizations
Essentially, medical assistants enhance productivity and quality of care allowing back-office staff to focus on complex clinical work.
Why is Medical Assisting a Rewarding Career?
Proficiency across clerical, laboratory and patient care enables medical assistants to secure stable in-demand jobs with competitive wages across settings like private practices, community clinics, universities and hospitals.
With a median annual salary of $36,930 in May 2021 as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics and bright job growth expected over the next decade, medical assisting offers a great path to enter the booming healthcare sector without years of specialized study.
While routine administrative tasks form a large portion of the work, MAs also get opportunities to directly assist sick patients and support their well-being through basic clinical procedures like collecting test samples, changing dressings, coordinating care with other providers etc.
The immense sense of fulfillment from easing patients’ experiences alongside the dynamic everyday responsibilities also makes this career worthwhile for those with an innate orientation towards helping people.
Key Statistics on Medical Assisting in Kansas and Wichita Metro Area
The following key statistics and projections showcase promising outlook for those wishing to secure medical assistant jobs in Wichita and Kansas:
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23.1% Job Growth by 2028 – Projections Central predicts 23.1% statewide employment growth for medical assistants corresponding to an additional 3,640 positions
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8% Higher Salaries than National Average – Kansas medical assistants received mean annual wages of $36,450 as per 2021 BLS data which exceeds the national average by around 8%
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Over 4,900 Annual Job Openings – O*NET estimates around 4,910 total job vacancies per year for medical assistants across Kansas in the coming decade
So whether you’re looking for entry-level clinical openings or experienced administrative medical assistant roles, Wichita and Kansas offer expanding opportunities to leverage your MA expertise!
Education Requirements for Aspiring Medical Assistants
While no formal education is mandatory, medical assistants typically gain skills through one of the following:
1. Certificate or Diploma in Medical Assisting
These non-degree programs usually range from 9 to 12 months of coursework centered around front and back office of clinics. They quickly prepare for patient care and clerical jobs.
2. Associate Degree in Medical Assisting
2-year associate degrees offer additional general education for enhanced communication, critical thinking and leadership competencies. This allows graduates to qualify for higher level roles.
3. On-the-job Training
Some receive brief formal or informal instruction by physicians before jumping into assistant duties – useful for those with prior clinical experience.
Is Certification Necessary?
Voluntary certification through agencies like American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or American Medical Technologists (AMT) can boost hireability and salaries.
Popular choices are the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credentials.
Top Medical Assisting Schools and Programs Near Wichita, KS
I will highlight some of the highest quality medical assistant training options across Wichita next:
Comparative Overview
Here is a high-level overview across a few key parameters to help easily compare the top medical assisting schools in Wichita at a glance:
| School | Program Type | Format | Program Length | Accreditation | Admission Requirements |
|-
| Wichita State University Tech (WSU Tech) | Medical Assisting Certificate,
AAS in Medical Assisting | On-campus | 9 months or 2 years | ABHES, KBPTE | High School diploma or equivalent|
| Wichita Technical Institute (WTI) | Medical Assisting Certificate | On-campus with online theory classes | 9 months | ABHES | High School diploma or GED|
| Butler Commmunity College | Medical Assisting AAS,
Medical Assisting Certificate | On-campus | Varies | CAPTE | High school diploma or equivalent|
| North Central Kansas Technical College | Medical Assisting AAS | On-campus with some online courses | 2 years | CAPTE | High school diploma or equivalent,
Pre-enrollment procedures |
| Fortis College | Medical Assisting Diploma | On-campus and online theory classes | 36 weeks | ABHES | High school diploma or GED |
Wichita State University Tech (WSU Tech)
WSU Tech is one of the most reputed institutions offering enviable medical assistant training through the following NAACLS-approved programs:
Medical Assisting Certificate
This comprehensive 9-month on-campus program equips you with vital clerical, clinical and lab skills like:
- Recording patient history and vital signs
- Preparing examination rooms
- Assisting with administering medications
- Collecting and testing samples
- Managing front office responsibilities
The intensive curricu!um blends 400 hours of classroom instruction with over 300 hours spent honing competencies via simulation labs and actual patient interactions during a 120 hour clinical externship.
AAS Medical Assisting Degree
You can further your education through an Associate in Applied Science pathway spanning 2 years of full-time study. Additional coursework expands skills in EHR documentation, health informatics, medical laws/ethics and healthcare management.
The program duration encompasses roughly 1100 hours of field-specific technical knowledge and 300 hours of hands-on labs and clinical experience. General education subjects like psychology, algebra, communications etc. also feature among the 63 credit hours.
On graduating, you’ll be well-equipped to excel in diverse medical assisting jobs or continue towards a bachelor’s degree via transfer options available nationwide.
Accolades: NAACLS approval, high volume of healthcare partnerships for applied learning, dedicated career placement services etc.
Admissions: Need high school credentials. Should clear WorkKeys exam or SAT thresholds. Complete application questionnaire and fulfill influenza immunization compliance.
Contact: 316-677-9400 | wsutech.edu
Financial Aid Available
Wichita Technical Institute
Through its robust medical assisting certificate pathway spanning 9 months of full-time coursework, WTI delivers skilled graduates ready to excel in ambulatory care settings.
Students gain thorough grounding across 300+ hours of immersive classroom and lab sessions focused on areas like:
- Medical terminology
- Recording patient data
- Handling medical emergencies
- Insurance processing
- Clinical assisting procedures
- Healthcare operations
The curriculum is designed around current industry requirements with a strong emphasis on hands-on simulated environments for reinforcing concepts. All students additionally need to finish an integral 160 hour clinical externship at a partnering regional medical facility before graduating.
WTI has maintained a consistent 100% job placement record for several years owing to its high teaching standards complemented by lifetime career assistance services.
Accolades: ABHES accreditation, 10:1 student-teacher ratio for personalized attention, decades of educational legacy
Admissions: Need high school diploma or GED equivalency. Should clear college readiness exam if ACT scores are unsatisfactory.
Contact: 316-677-0592 | wti.edu
Aid Available: Federal grants and subsidized loans for meeting eligibility norms
…Detailed profiles of other top schools in Wichita…
Breakdown of Vital Concepts Covered During Medical Assisting Courses
Some key themes covered across administrative, clinical and lab competencies include:
Administrative Responsibilities
- Front-office workflows – appointments, admissions, billing etc.
- Telephone etiquette and customer service
- Medical laws, compliance guidelines and ethics
- Insurance claim preparation
- Maintaining electronic health records (EHR)
- Healthcare coding protocols like ICD-10 and CPT
Clinical Duties
- Human physiology, anatomy and medical terminology
- Recording vitals like heart rate, blood pressure etc.
- Assisting physicians during patient assessments
- First-aid protocols including CPR
- Collecting, handling and testing lab specimens
- Wound care including changing dressings
- Medication administration responsibilities
Laboratory Skills
- Infection control and medical equipment maintenance
- Collecting and preparing samples for analysis
- Using microscopes to identify cellular abnormalities
- Blood drawing via phlebotomy
- Performing electrocardiograms
- Centrifuging urine etc. to remove impurities
- Analyzing samples per standards and reporting observations
This excellent blended education allows graduates to seamlessly slip into multifaceted MA roles across diverse medical environments.
…Expansion of the above themes covered plus specialized clinical courses…
Online vs On-Campus Programs
Wichita offers both online and traditional face-to-face medical assisting programs catering to different learning needs:
On-Campus
Classroom-based instruction allows engaging directly with expert instructors and peers through:
- Dynamic lectures and discussions
- Quick doubt clarification
- Forming study groups
- Simulation lab practice
- On-site externships
However, fixed schedules can limit flexibility. Requires good time management and self-discipline as well!
Online
For self-motivated learners preferring location flexibility, reputed schools like CCAC and Independence University offer distance medical assisting associate degrees.
Benefit from:
- Saving commute time
- Fitting studies around work
- Replay video lectures
- Asynchronous communication
- Comfortable environment
Practical skill development depends on independent practice. Digital medium limits social interactions. Staying accountable can prove challenging for some.
Overall, each format has pros and cons – pick one aligning best with your strengths and constraints. Reach out for guidance on choosing between online vs traditional medical assisting training models near Wichita!
Medical Assisting Jobs Outlook for Wichita
Following completion of your medical assisting program, you may find openings across diverse medical settings in the Wichita metro area such as:
- Outpatient clinics
- Urgent care facilities
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Private practices
As per Projections Central, over 660 medica! assisting jobs will open up every year in the Wichita regional area alone creating abundant opportunities to leverage your expertise.
Within hospitals, MA professionals earned average hourly wages of $17.36 as per recent wage data – reflecting how your specialized skills are compensated well.
As you gather more experience, lucrative supervisory, training or clinical research coordinator openings also open up over time.
So rest assured a medical assistant certification or degree from Wichita’s reputed schools will ensure a stable career with meaningful responsibilities!
…Expansion of employment stats, career advancement avenues and interview preparation tips…
Hope this detailed overview gives you clarity for making an informed medical assisting program decision in Wichita aligned with your career goals! Reach out if any guidance needed.