Kentucky is well known as the Bluegrass State and home to world famous horse racing. Kentucky is so much more than that, however. This state provides an excellent environment for industry and agriculture and is quickly becoming known as one of the most progressive states in the country. If you live in Kentucky and are considering entering the medical assisting field, you are making a great choice, as Kentucky promises a very bright future. Currently, there are several medical assistant schools in the state, many accredited, which offer everything from certificates to associate’s degrees in the field.
Kentucky’s Medical Assisting Employment Environment
While the not quite $13 per hour wage of medical assistants in Kentucky is not as high as that of surrounding states, facilities across the state employ over 7,000 medical assistants. There are ample employment opportunities statewide, but even more so in urban areas. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Kentucky as being in the middle to low range for employment openings and in the low range for salary, but this is expected to change.
Kentucky’s Medical Assisting Outlook
As in most other states, Kentucky is expected to see a dramatic growth in the field of medical assisting over the next several years. As the demand for trained professionals increases, it is expected that salaries and benefits will rise. As such, medical assistants who enter training now are likely to see a massive growth in the field by the time they graduate and begin working.
List of Medical Assistant Schools in Kentucky
ATA College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Located in Louisville, ATA College offers a degree program in medical assisting that can be completed in just over a year. This program prepares students to perform all aspects of the medical assistant field as well as to become a Certified Medical Assistant. The school offers day and evening classes so students can earn a degree without giving up their current job or responsibilities to their families.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: Occupational Associate degree
- Average Program Length: 15 months
- Tuition: $25,200
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 78%
- Fun Fact: Many students at ATA College are eligible for financial aid.
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Bluegrass Community and Technical College offers two certificate, one diploma, and one associate’s degree programs in medical assisting. BCTC has six campus locations across the area and offers day, evening, and weekend classes for student convenience. This school is one of the fastest growing in the Bluegrass State and offers numerous activities, organizations, and student services so students can enjoy a rich, fulfilling experience.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: certificate, diploma, Associate of Applied Science
- Average Program Length: certificates – one year; diploma – 18 months; A.A.S. – two years
- Tuition: $140/credit hour
- Clinical Experience: externship
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: Students in this school have a wide range of educational choices, allowing them to get the exact training they need to meet career goals.
National College
- Program Link: Associate’s Degree in Medical Assisting
- Description: National College’s medical assisting degree program offers the high quality instruction you need to work in entry-level medical assistant jobs in a variety of healthcare settings. The program provides students with eligibility to take the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) examination and includes an externship with an established healthcare provider. National offers small class sizes during the day or evening, allowing students the flexibility to get an education on their own terms.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: Associate of Science
- Average Program Length: two years.
- Tuition: $30,492
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 72%
- Fun Fact: National College has several campuses from which to choose.
Ross Medical Education Center
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: Ross Medical Education Center at Bowling Green and Erlanger offer medical assistant training for interested students. At Ross, students can get the clinical and administrative training they need along with small class sizes and superior attention. The school includes certification fees in the cost of attendance and provides one career development specialist for every 35 students. Interested students can set up a campus visit, or can chat live with a representative via the school website.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: less than one year
- Tuition: $15,680
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: Ross offers a small campus environment with around 150 students at a time.