Rhode Island is an excellent state for anyone who loves small town living. The population of the entire state is a little over one million and the largest city in the state, Providence, has a population of only 171,000. Even with the relatively low population of the state, Rhode Island has more workers in the healthcare industry than in any other. Students in Rhode Island may have difficulty locating a local medical assisting education program, there are many distance education programs that can meet your needs. Even through online programs, students may qualify for federal financial aid and other tuition assistance. Check with your chosen school’s financial aid office for programs that may be able to help you and make sure to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Employment Environment
The Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Rhode Island as one of the lowest for employment of medical assistants, but in the upper-middle range for medical assistant salaries. Currently, the average salary of a medical assistant is around $32,590, plus employment benefits. Since there are fewer open positions than in many other states, it is vital that you take every necessary step to make yourself more desirable to employers. One step you can take is to become a Certified Medical Assistant by taking the examination offered by the AAMA.
The Future of Medical Assisting in R.H.
The healthcare industry is expected to be one of the fastest growing over the next decade, with a projected growth of over 30%. This will create many new medical assisting positions in a variety of healthcare facilities and for assistants at all levels of education.
List of Medical Assistant Schools in Rhode Island
Pinnacle Career Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: Would you like to earn your medical assistant certificate from the comfort of your own home? If so, Pinnacle Career Institute’s online program is for you. This medical assistant certificate training program includes hands-on experience at a healthcare facility close to the student’s location and prepares students to perform both clinical and administrative duties. Students who complete medical assistant training at PCI attend Medical Assistant Bootcamp that lets students perfect and refine their skills before entering the workforce.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: one year
- Tuition: N/A
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: N/A
- Fun Fact: Students at PCI are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination offered through the AAMA.
US Career Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: U.S. Career Institute has an administrative medical assisting program that is self-paced and entirely online. This certificate program teaches students medical billing and coding, patient records, office management, insurance billing and payments, and much more. Students can complete training in under four months. In addition, the open enrollment allows students to start the program any time they are ready. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant examination.
- Accreditation: Distance Education Training Council (DETC)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: four months
- Tuition: $1,270
- Clinical Experience: none
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: U.S. Career Institute allows students to make small monthly payments to cover tuition.
Allied Health Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Allied Health Institute offers an online medical assisting diploma program that students can complete in less than two years. The school has open enrollment, allowing students to start monthly. The program is offered one class at a time, letting students focus solely on mastery of a topic before moving on. All clinical and administrative medical assisting classes are available online and students fulfill externship requirements at designated locations close to the students’ homes.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: 16 months
- Tuition: $11,600
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 74%
- Fun Fact: This program qualifies students to sit for the AAMA’s certification examination.
National American University
- Program Link: Medical Administrative Assistant program
- Description: National American University offers an online Associate of Applied Science in Medical Administrative Assisting. Through this program, students learn every aspect of working in a medical front office. The school offers a variety of student support services to ensure students success. In addition, the program is 100% online, allowing busy students the flexibility and convenience needed to continue working and taking care of families.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission North Central Association
- Programs: Associate of Applied Science
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $30,185
- Clinical Experience: none
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: After graduation, students can get career placement help from NAU’s skilled support personnel.