Medical Assistant Programs in Illinois

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

Medical assistants are responsible for many of the routine tasks that are performed in a doctor's office or other clinical setting. These healthcare professionals take vitals, assist with examinations, and occasionally administer injections, prepare blood for testing, and perform basic medical tests. Medical assistants may also be responsible for scheduling appointments and maintaining patient records. Illinois does not have formal training requirements for medical assistants. However, there are several steps you can take to increase your employability in this field. If you're interested in learning about how to become a medical assistant in Illinois and medical assistant programs in Illinois, read on.

A high school diploma or the equivalent is required for a job as a medical assistant. Pursuing continuing education in this field is greatly preferred by employers. There are many schools with medical assistant programs in Illinois that offer certificate or AAS degrees in this field. These include:* Illinois Eastern Community College* Rasmussen College Rockford* MacCormac College* Morton College* Shawnee Community College* Lewis and Clark Community CollegeCertificate programs can typically be completed in about a year. Associate of Applied Science programs in Medical Assisting take about two years to complete. These programs familiarize students with medical terminology, anatomy, and basic medical procedures.

Certification is not required to be a medical assistant, but this too will increase opportunities for employment in this field. Graduates of accredited programs can sit for exams for many types of certification. Options include Certified Medical Assistant, Registered Medical Assistant, National Certified Medical Assistant, and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification. Another way to increase your value as a medical assistant is to pursue continuing education in your field. The Illinois Society of Medical Assistants is dedicated to giving members plenty of opportunities to further their careers. Several weeks or months of on the job training may also be required for tasks specific to that employer.

In the state of Illinois, the annual mean wage for medical assistants is $31,440, or about $15.11 an hour. Those with earnings in the top ten percent of this occupation make more than $42,030 while those with earnings in the bottom ten percent make less than $21,110, according to May 2011 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL area has the fourth-highest metropolitan employment level for medical assistants. Job outlook in this area is expected to be very good with a projected job growth of 31 percent over the 2010 to 2020 decade. Students interested in this profession have a very promising future.

Medical Assistant Schools Near You & Online in Illinois

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Southwestern Illinois College

  • 2500 Carlyle Ave. Belleville, IL 62221
    Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
    (618) 235-2700

Everest College

  • 6880 N. Frontage Road, Suite 400 Burr Ridge, IL 60527
    Programs: Medical Assistant
    (630) 920-1102

Kaplan University

  • 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 Chicago, IL 60602
    Programs: Medical Assistant
    (800) 621-7440

National Latino Education Institute

  • 1737 West 18th Street Chicago, IL 60608
    Programs: Medical Assistant
    (312) 243-3030

National Latino Education Institute

  • 2011 West Pershing Road Chicago, IL 60609
    Programs: Medical Assistant
    (773) 247-0707

Northwestern Institute of Health and Technology

  • 4641 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60640
    Programs: LPN, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
    (773) 506-2136

Illinois Central College

  • 1 College Drive East Peoria, IL 61635
    Programs: ADN, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (309) 694-5422

Highland Community College

  • 2998 West Pearl City Road Freeport, IL 61032
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (815) 235-6121

College of Dupage

  • 425 Fawell Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
    Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, LPN, Medical Assistant, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, RN
    (630) 942-2800

College of Lake County

  • 19351 West Washington Street Grayslake, IL 60030
    Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, LPN, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
    (847) 543-2000

Harper College

  • 1200 W. Algonquin Road Palatine, IL 60067
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
    (847) 925-6707

Morraine Valley Community College

  • 9000 West College Parkway Palos Hills, IL 60465
    Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
    (708) 974-4300

Rockford Career College

  • 1130 South Alpine Rd. Rockford, IL 61108
    Programs: CNA, Medical Assistant
    (815) 965-8616

South Suburban College

  • 15800 South State Street South Holland, IL 60473
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
    (708) 596-2000

Robert Morris University

  • 3101 Montvale Drive Springfield, IL 62704
    Programs: Medical Assistant
    (217) 793-2500

Waubonsee Community College

  • Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive Sugar Grove, IL 60554
    Programs: ADN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (630) 466-7900