Kentucky Medical Assistant Programs

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

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Kentucky – Comparing Medical Assistant Programs in Kentucky

There is a wide range of staff that helps assist doctors and nurses. A medical assistant helps with both administrative and medical duties, in doctor's offices, hospitals, or other clinical settings. If you are interested in learning more about how to become a medical assistant in Kentucky, it's helpful to look at what the job entails, as well as what types of training programs will help put you on the right career path. In most cases, students will need to find an accredited Kentucky school and complete either a one-year certificate program, or a two-year associate's degree in this field.

The difference between a certificate program and an associate's degree is that in the longer program, students will receive more specific and comprehensive training. Medical assistant programs in Kentucky will include courses in first aid, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, patient care, and medical billing. These will prepare students for typical tasks throughout the work day, including taking vital signs, administering injections, and assisting with medical record-keeping. After completing these courses, medical assistant students can then go through the next step of certification, by taking the exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. This organization administers the credentialing exam three times a year, after which point you will need to renew it every five years.

There's no law in Kentucky that states that you must become certified in order to work as a medical assistant, but many employers strongly prefer it. The first step is to compare the various medical assistant programs in Kentucky however, to find one that is the right fit for your needs. At this time, there are over 10 schools in Kentucky that offer medical assistant programs. Most of these are accredited and offer financial assistance. Schools offering associate's degrees include Eastern Kentucky University, Henderson Community College, and Sullivan University. Certificate programs are offered through schools such as Spencerian College, Jefferson Community and Technical College, and Maysville Community College.

After you have finished your program and have become certified by the AAMA, the next step for those who want to know how to become a medical assistant in Kentucky is to find a job. The job outlook in Kentucky is strong, although the mean hourly wage is lower in Kentucky than surrounding states, listed at $13 an hour by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are 7,200 medical assistants currently employed, with the highest volume of job openings found in the large cities of Lexington and Louisville.

• Kentucky Department for Public Health
• The Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department