Although it is not a very large state, New Jersey is home to almost nine million people and the healthcare field is booming. In the past half-decade, almost 50,000 healthcare workers have been hired and there is a continued increase and growth expected. New Jersey students have a great selection of medical assistant schools from which to choose. Many of these programs are accredited and students can choose to train at every level from certificate to associate’s degree. In addition, there are many support programs for students who need financial assistance to pay for their training. Programs such as the Outstanding Scholar Recruitment Program and the Tuition Assistance Grant are great sources for cash-strapped aspiring medical assistants.
Employment Environment in New Jersey
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that New Jersey is a very promising state for medical assistants. The state is listed in the top tier for both employment and salary of medical assistants, and the average salary is $32,500. Students who choose to become Certified Medical Assistants through the American Association of Medical Assistants will find that they have a wider variety of job offerings and are much more likely to earn at the high end of the pay scale.
New Jersey’s Medical Assisting Outlook
Since New Jersey is expecting such tremendous healthcare career growth, the field of medical assisting is an excellent choice. Students who graduate from a quality training program should have no difficulty finding and keeping an excellent job and should have many appealing options for many years to come.
List of Medical Assistant Schools in New Jersey
Anthem Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assistant diploma
- Description: Anthem Institute has campuses in Parsippany, Jersey City, North Brunswick, and Cherry Hill, all of which offer a medical assistant diploma program. Students who attend Anthem get a full training program in the clinical and administrative aspects of the career field and can choose between day and night classes for flexibility in scheduling. Students who choose Anthem receive a comprehensive training that includes externship experience in area healthcare facilities. They are also eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: one year
- Tuition: $15,406
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 69%
- Fun Fact: Anthem Institute offers free refresher courses and job placement assistance to graduates as long as they remain employed in their field of training.
Harris School of Business
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: With campuses in Cherry Hill, Trenton, Linwood, and Voorhees, Harris School of Business is conveniently located for many of New Jersey’s medical assisting students. This ABHES-accredited program qualifies students to take the certification examination offered through the AAMA and also prepares students to work in clinical and administrative capacities in a variety of healthcare facilities. Students at Harris School of Business can complete training in around a year.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: one year
- Tuition: $13,347
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 63%
- Fun Fact: Graduates of Harris are eligible to take advantage of free access to refresher courses and labs and may also audit courses at no charge.
Medical Career Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: Medical Career Institute has been in business since 2006 and offers students a well-rounded training program and externship that fully prepares them to work as effective and efficient general medical assistants in physicians’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Students who attend MCI enjoy small class sizes of between eight and twenty students, allowing for exceptional instructor support and individualized education. Upon graduation from the program, students can sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination and will receive job placement and career assistance.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: 38 weeks
- Tuition:
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: MCI is located in Cobblestone Village in Ocean Township.
Berkeley College
- Program Link: Medical Assistant certificate; Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
- Description: Berkeley College has campuses in Woodland Park, Woodbridge, Newark, Paramus, Clifton, and Dover. Students at Berkeley can choose between a certificate program and an associate’s degree program in medical assisting. They can also enjoy the flexibility of day, night, and weekend classes. Students can earn a certificate in about one year or an associate’s degree in two years. During the program, students at Berkeley can expect to receive full support from college staff and will be prepared after graduation to sit for the national certification examination.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: certificate; A.A.S.
- Average Program Length: certificate – 12 months; two years
- Tuition: certificate – $19,100; A.A.S. – $46,800
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: Berkeley students enjoy a tuition freeze for meeting continuous enrollment requirements.