Texas Medical Assistant Programs

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

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

Since Texas is the second largest state in the country, there are thousands of jobs available in the health care profession. For students who want a career as a medical assistant, Texas is a perfect place to get the essential training. Students have access to federal programs and programs that are specific to the state. The job sector is expected to grow through at least 2018, and the region of McAllen-Edinburg-Mission has one of the largest numbers of medical assistants anywhere in the country. Students who successfully complete the exam by the American Association of Medical Assistants to become certified, have a higher chance of being hired as medical assistants.

Students in Texas have their choice of a number of excellent schools to get training as a medical assistant. Students who enroll in a state approved program to become a medical assistant may receive a diploma, certificate, or associate degree, depending on the program they enroll in. Some of the colleges that offer medical assistant training are Everest College, Kaplan College, National American University, and Texas School of Business. Additional schools in Texas that offer training for medical assistants are Anthem College in Irving, Arlington Career Institute in Grand Prairie, El Paso Community college, and College of the Mainland in League City.

Students who enroll in medical assistant training programs learn skills including recording patient medical histories, checking vital signs, changing dressings on wounds, learning phlebotomy procedures, taking x-rays, and learning EKG procedures. Administrative procedures are also covered in the coursework. Other topics that are covered in medical assistant training are administrative skills including medical billing, filling out insurance forms for patients, and keeping patients records updated. Some of the schools that offer medical assistant training allow students the flexibility to be able to attend classes on a part-time basis, which allows them to keep up with current work commitments.

When a student has successfully completed a medical assistant training program, they have the opportunity to apply for a variety of different jobs. The average salary for a medical office assistant receptionist in Texas is $29,000. However, some medical office assistants in Texas usually earn approximately $27,000 annually. After completing a medical assistant training program, a medical records field technician working in Texas usually averages $41,000 annually. Some national estimates for medical assistants in Texas state that since there is more of a demand for medical assistants, the hourly wage is approximately $14.50 per hour, which is an annual wage increase of 3 percent.

• Texas Department of Health
• Harris County Health Department (Houston)