Medical Assistant Schools and Careers in Washington

Washington, bordering the Pacific Ocean and Canada, is home to more than 6.5 million people, as well as an abundance of breathtaking parks, forests, and wildlife habitats.

As a resident of Washington state, you have access to many excellent medical assistant training programs at the certificate and associate degree level, most of which are accredited.

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If you plan to pursue your medical assistant training in Washington and need financial assistance, help may be available to you through the Washington State Need Grant, the Washington State Scholarship Foundation, and more. Additionally, the Washington State Society of Medical Assistants awards scholarships to medical assistant students in the amount of $500 through the Nancy Fortin Memorial Scholarship Program.

Washington’s Employment Environment

Washington offers medical assistants an excellent environment in which to work. With an average medical assistant salary of $33,550, Washington is listed among the top five states in the nation in terms of salary potential in this field. In addition, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has named Washington as having one of the highest rates of employment in the field of medical assisting.

While there are ample opportunities to succeed as a medical assistant in Washington, the highest-paying jobs usually go to candidates with strong credentials. As such, it is a good idea to consider becoming a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA).

Job Outlook and the Future of Medical Assisting in Washington

The bright job market for Washington’s medical assistants is expected to become even brighter, as the industry is slated to grow by as much as 30% in the coming years. These job growth projections combined with high salaries and strong employment opportunities make this the perfect time to get the training you need to enter the medical assisting field in Washington.

List of Medical Assistant Schools in Washington

Carrington College

  • Program Link: Medical Assisting program
  • Description: Carrington College in Spokane offers a medical assistant certificate program that includes classroom and laboratory instruction in clinical and administrative assisting. Students also get the opportunity to practice real-world skills during a 140-hour externship. Since the school started in 1976, it has expanded to include 11 campuses across the western United States. Students who attend Carrington have access to the full range of student support services and are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination upon graduation.
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  • Programs: certificate
  • Average Program Length: less than one year
  • Tuition:  $15,071
  • Clinical Experience: Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: 72%
  • Fun Fact: Carrington College is part of the DeVry higher education group.

Everest College

  • Program Link: Medical Assistant diploma program
  • Description: Everest College offers medical assistant training at its campuses in Seattle and Tacoma. Everest’s program provides all the training and skills needed to work in both patient care as well as the administrative aspects of a healthcare facility. Students who choose this program benefit from small class sizes, one-on-one assistance, learning centers, educational finance planning, and much more. Finally, students who graduate from Everest’s medical assistant program will gain real-world experience through an externship assignment and will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination after graduation.
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  • Programs:  diploma
  • Average Program Length: less than two years
  • Tuition:  $13,500
  • Clinical Experience: Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: 45%
  • Fun Fact: Everest offers day and evening classes for flexibility in scheduling.

Pima Medical Institute

  • Program Link: Medical Assistant program
  • Description: At Pima Medical Institute in Seattle, students can earn a medical assisting diploma in less than a year. The program is well-rounded and includes clinical and administrative assisting as well as externship experience in a working healthcare facility. In addition to a quality education, Pima offers students exceptional student support services, free tutoring, and a variety of career services. Students who attend PMI may be eligible for financial aid assistance and are eligible to become Certified Medical Assistants by taking the AAMA’s certification examination.
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  • Programs:  certificate
  • Average Program Length: 9 months
  • Tuition:  $12,602
  • Clinical Experience:  Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: 73%
  • Fun Fact: Pima’s student support professionals can help students locate child care, housing, transportation, and any other resources they may need for success.

Lower Columbia College

  • Program Link: Medical Assisting program
  • Description:  Lower Columbia College offers students a choice of a certificate or an associate’s degree in medical assisting. Both programs train students in all aspects of medical assisting, including clinical and administrative skills. Students who attend these programs will complete an externship at a local healthcare facility and are eligible to take the AAMA’s certification examination upon graduation. Students at LCC can get all the help they need from college personnel, including help in locating needed resources, career services, help in locating financial aid, tutoring, and more.
  • Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • Programs:  certificate; Associate of Applied Science
  • Average Program Length: certificate – less than one year; degree – two years
  • Tuition:  certificate – $6,251; degree – $7,571
  • Clinical Experience:  Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: 91%
  • Fun Fact: Lower Columbia College offers library and tutoring services to help students succeed.

Highline Community College

  • Program Link: Medical Assisting program
  • Description: Located in Des Moines, Highline Community College offers certificate and degree programs in general medical assisting. Both programs offer clinical and administrative assisting as well as hands-on experience in an externship. Since its beginnings in 1961, HCC has grown to become highly recognized as a premier community college both nationally and internationally. The school offers a wide variety of student support services, helping students achieve success both during and after attending the school. After graduation, HCC medical assisting students are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination that is offered through the AAMA.
  • Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • Programs:  certificate; Associate of Applied Science
  • Average Program Length: certificate – less than one year; degree – two years
  • Tuition:  $106.84/credit
  • Clinical Experience:  Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: not available