Washington D.C. is at the apex of the United States healthcare industry. The District of Columbia has around 600,000 residents and over 1,000,000 others who commute to the district each day for work. Since D.C. is also home to the Children’s National medical Center, the teaching hospitals of Georgetown, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and more, there are numerous promising job opportunities for medical assistants in the area. Because D.C.’s healthcare facilities are on the cutting edge, employers look for highly trained and innovative medical assistants. As such, a quality education is a must for anyone wishing to work as a medical assistant in the state.
Washington D.C. Employment Environment & Medical Assisting
While there are many healthcare facilities in the Washington D.C. area, there is also a healthy amount of competition for available jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the D.C. area ranks in the middle range for total employment of medical assistants. Those who find employment in this area enjoy nice salaries that range from $29,920 to $31,170, plus benefits such as bonuses, retirement plans, sick and vacation leave, and insurance benefits.
Medical Assisting Career Outlook in Washington D.C.
As is true in most areas of the country, medical assisting is expected to have extremely large growth over coming years. As medicine continues to advance and more facilities open and expand, there is expected to be a growth of around 30% in the medical assisting field. This will create plentiful job opportunities and probable salary increases as facilities compete for the best and brightest candidates.
Washington D.C. Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
MedTech
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: MedTech offers cutting education medical assistant training through either a diploma program or an associate’s degree program. Students at MedTech enjoy comprehensive training and hands-on experience as well as a very high job placement rate. MedTech has over 300 industry affiliations, offering its graduates a wide and varied range of networking contacts. MedTech also offers flexible class schedules, allowing adult students to get the education they need while still meeting their existing obligations.
- Accreditation: Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (CCOE)
- Programs: diploma; degree
- Average Program Length: diploma – 8 months; degree – 13-15 months
- Tuition: diploma – $15,500; degree – $25,099 (includes textbooks and scrubs)
- Clinical Experience: internship
- Job Placement Rate: diploma – 83%; degree – 100%
- Fun Fact: MedTech’s classes are typically scheduled during morning hours so students can still work a current job. Night classes may also be available, if needed.
Westwood College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting Diploma ;Associate Degree in Medical Assisting
- Description: Westwood College’s Arlington Ballston campus is located close to Washington D.C. and offers both a diploma and an associate’s degree to students. Both programs can be completed in under two years, allowing students to finish training and get to work quickly. In addition, Westwood has established relationships with many quality employers in the area to help students make contacts and land the perfect job.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- Programs: diploma; associate’s degree
- Average Program Length: diploma – 12 months; degree – 17 months
- Tuition: diploma – $24,490; degree – $34,286
- Clinical Experience: externship
- Job Placement Rate: diploma – 77%; degree – 95%
- Fun Fact: The medical assisting programs at Westwood College prepare you to take the Registered Medical Assistant examination.
Everest College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting diploma program
- Description: Everest has three campuses in very close proximity to the D.C. area that offer the Medical Assistant diploma program. The program offers both clinical and administrative training so graduates will be thoroughly prepared to enter work in a variety of healthcare settings. If you are looking for an affordable medical assistant program that will give you everything you need to succeed, Everest is definitely worth a look.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: less than one year
- Tuition: $16,000 to $21,388 (including fees and materials)
- Clinical Experience: externship
- Job Placement Rate: 39% to 42%
- Fun Fact: Everest’s support staff will help students locate transportation and child care to make it easier than ever to get an education.
Fortis Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assistant certificate program
- Description: Fortis has a college campus in Landover, Maryland that is very convenient to the Washington D.C. area. Students who complete this program will gain all the knowledge and skills necessary to perform both clinical and administrative tasks in a healthcare facility. In addition, the program provides hands-on training in a real-world healthcare facility. Upon completion of this program, students are eligible to take the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) examination.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: 10 months
- Tuition: $16,410
- Clinical Experience: externship
- Job Placement Rate: 66%
- Fun Fact: This campus was known as Medix School-South before joining the Fortis Network.