Arkansas Medical Assistant Programs

New graduates celebrate with their families at their nursing commencement ceremony.

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Arkansas and Medical Assistant Programs in Arkansas

Becoming a medical assistant in Arkansas is very rewarding for students interested in health. Average salaries range from $20,000 to 30,000 per year. Being a medical assistant means providing essential support to a doctor's office. You will be required to collect medical histories from patients, update information on their charts, and take necessary vital signs prior to the patient's examination. You will find that there are many positions available in Arkansas at any given time. Medical assistant training programs in Arkansas will fully equip you for the many tasks that are required.

If you decide to become a medical assistant, some minimum training is required. At the very least, you will need to have a high school diploma. High school graduates will possess many of the necessary skills that are needed. A certificate program is ideal for many prospective medical assistants. However, you may also wish to consider a degree, either on its own or as part of a path to a more advanced career. Both Associates and Bachelor's degrees are good options for those who want to work in this field. Possessing a degree will make a wide range of jobs open to you, as well as increase your opportunities for advancement.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 1800 medical assistants in the state in 2010. there are several medical societies that provide scholarships for students, so you will want to consider one as an option. Many who currently work in the field suggest find out about 3 to 5 different schools before making a choice. Some practices do prefer to have employees who have gone through CAAHEP-accredited programs. It helps to learn more about current educational requirements for medical assistant jobs in the area you will work in.

Arkansas schools offer different types of certification programs. You can be a Certified Medical Assistant, known as a CMA, or as a Registered Medical assistant, known as an RMA. Both administrative and clinical skills that will be used as part of the job are taught. You will also learn about legal and ethical issues, as well as effective communication. In addition to extensive classroom training, students will learn more about working as a medical student through a clinical, hands-on portion. This will take place in a medical practice, providing a good taste of what to expect from working in this sort of setting.

Arkansas State Board of Nursing
University Tower Building
1123 S. University, Suite 800
Little Rock, AR 72204-1619
Phone: (501) 686-2700
Fax: (501) 686-2714

Arkansas Nurses Association

• Arkansas Department of Health