Medical Assistant Schools and Careers in New York

New York State, home of the Big Apple, has a population of nearly 20 million people, 8.4 million of which live in New York City. The tremendous growth of New York’s healthcare industry has led to a critical shortage of medical assistants across the state.

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Graduates of quality medical assistant training programs in New York can look forward to entering a very strong job market, and may be able to get financial assistance to help them get there. Students that need help paying for medical assistant training can pursue finiancial aid opportunities through the state’s Tuition Assistance Program, the New York State Regents Health Care Opportunity Scholarship, and similar programs.

Employment Environment

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average medical assistant salary in New York is $32,220 a year, plus employment benefits. New York is in the highest tier in terms of both employment opportunities and salary expectations for medical assistants, making it an excellent state in which to enter this profession.

To have the best chances at securing a job and earning the highest possible salary, graduates are advised to take the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) certification exam.

The Future of the Medical Assisting Field in New York

Although there are currently many excellent employment opportunities for medical assistants in New York, the coming years are sure to bring even more jobs as the profession continues to experience growth.

If you are thinking about getting the training you need to become a medical assistant in New York’s growing healthcare industry, there has never been a better time to get started.

List of Medical Assistant Schools in New York

St. Paul’s School of Nursing

  • Program Link: Medical Assisting program
  • Description: St. Paul’s School of Nursing has campuses in Queens and Staten Island for student convenience. The school prides itself in offering a high quality, personalized education program that prepares future medical assistants to meet every demand of the profession. The program has ABHES accreditation, which means that graduates are qualified to take the certification exam offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants.
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  • Programs: Associate of Science
  • Average Program Length: 72 weeks
  • Tuition:  $18,470/academic year
  • Clinical Experience: Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: not available
  • Fun Fact: St. Paul’s School of Nursing offers a virtual campus tour on its website for interested students.

New Life Business Institute

  • Program Link: Medical Assistant certificate
  • Description: New Life Business Institute is located in Jamaica and offers a medical assistant certificate program that can be completed in less than a year. Students who attend NLBI are promised small class sizes and can benefit from the exceptional facility afforded by day, evening, and weekend classes. Students in the medical assisting program at NLBI get clinical and administrative training as well as hands-on experience in an internship. After graduation, students can sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination and are eligible for job placement services for life.
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  • Programs:  certificate
  • Average Program Length: 42 weeks
  • Tuition:  $15,512
  • Clinical Experience: Internship
  • Job Placement Rate: not available
  • Fun Fact: New Life Business Institute offers lifetime job placement assistant for graduates.

Sanford Brown Institute

  • Program Link: Medical Assisting program
  • Description: Sanford Brown Institute has campuses in Garden City, Melville, New York City, and White Plains. This complete general medical assistant certificate program lasts just over a year and provides all the skills and training needed in today’s medical facilities. Students at Sanford Brown can take classes during the day, evening, or on weekends. This allows students to complete their education while working full-time jobs and taking care of families. Since the school is ABHES accredited, students who graduate from this program are eligible to take the AAMA’s certification examination.
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  • Programs:  certificate
  • Average Program Length: 13 months
  • Tuition:  $13,500
  • Clinical Experience:  Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: 56%
  • Fun Fact: Sanford Brown’s history dates back to 1866.

ASA College

  • Program Link: Medical Office Assisting with Medical Billing; Medial Assisting degree program
  • Description:  ASA College in New York City has been offering medical assistant training since 1999. At ASA, students can choose between an administrative medical assistant certificate or a general medical assistant degree program. Both programs prepare students to take certification examinations and provide everything you need to be a successful medical assistant in a variety of healthcare environments. The school offers a wide range of student services, including writing and learning centers, financial aid counseling, career counseling and placement, and much more.
  • Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • Programs:  certificate; A.O.S.
  • Average Program Length: certificate – less than one year; degree – two years
  • Tuition:  certificate- $11,880; degree – $23,760
  • Clinical Experience:  Externship (degree program only)
  • Job Placement Rate: certificate – 73%; degree – 69%
  • Fun Fact: ASA College has a mission of providing service and education to historically underrepresented groups.

Plaza College

  • Program Link: Medical Assisting degree program
  • Description: Plaza College is located in Jackson Heights and offers a comprehensive Medical Assistant degree program. This program prepares students to work in both the front office and the patient care areas of a range of healthcare facilities. Students who complete this program are qualified to take the examination to become Certified Medical Assistants and can choose a combination of day, evening, and weekend classes for convenience. Students at Plaza attend a series of Freshman Orientation events that help them become acquainted with the school faculty, staff, and resources. In addition, the school’s central location makes it easily accessible to students who depend upon public transportation.
  • Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • Programs:  Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
  • Average Program Length: two years
  • Tuition:  $19,800
  • Clinical Experience:  Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: 90%
  • Fun Fact: Plaza College was founded in 1916