North Dakota Medical Assistant Programs

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

How to Become a Medical Assistant in North Dakota- Medical Assistant Programs in North Dakota

Medical assistants are in high demand. This career requires very little formal training, but as usual employers do prefer employees that have it. North Dakota doesn't have education or certification requirements for medical assistants but there are plenty of medical assistant programs in North Dakota to choose from for those who want an education. This career training covers things like biology, chemistry, anatomy, and administrative and medical billing topics. The job of a medical assistant is mostly clerical, but knowledge of the healthcare industry is important to their career.

Most medical assistants get on-the-job training. Those who choose formal medical assistant programs in North Dakota can find 1-2 year training courses that include certificate and associate degree programs. The amount of education that you obtain will determine what type of careers you can find, as well as how much you will earn in this career. Programs that lead to a diploma or certificate are the most common, but associate's degrees are chosen by people who want to have more career advancement opportunities. Still, there are some people who will look for work with no formal education and find it from time to time.

Certification isn't required by law, as stated above, but medical assistant programs in North Dakota can lead to a certification. Some certificates require passing an exam, and there are 4 different ones to choose from. Students who are looking to become certified medical assistants can choose from the CMA, RMA, NCMA, or CCMA certification. CMA examinees have to complete a postsecondary program to sit for the exam, but the other three require no training or education prior to taking the exam. Ultimately, the choice is yours to make when you are learning how to become a medical assistant in North Dakota.

Medical assistants earn an average annual salary of $28,860. Of course, those who have more training also have much more earning potential. It's going to be up to you to take the time to explore all of the careers and choose the one that meets your salary needs. The good news is that this career is projected to grow by 31% over the next decade, which is almost twice the national average for career growth. That means finding work should be easy once you complete your medical assistant programs in North Dakota, regardless of what training you seek.

• North Dakota Department of Health
• Grand Forks Health Department