Alaska’s Top Online Medical Assistant Programs

If you’re looking for a fast and efficient way to get into the medical field, becoming a medical assistant offers you the chance to make an impact on patients, enjoy excellent job security, and enter the healthcare field relatively quickly. Some intensive programs take just six weeks from start to finish, though these are rare. Most online medical assistant programs in Alaska can be completed in as little as 12 months.

Finding an online medical assistant program in Alaska that’s quick, accredited, and the right choice for your career is a tall order. Fortunately, a lot of the legwork is done for you in this guide, so you can spend less time researching programs and more time selecting courses for your first semester. Research on the best programs, medical assistant salaries, and other essentials you need to know as you enter the medical assisting field are compiled below. Continue reading to learn why medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing careers and to discover the best programs in Alaska.

Popular Online Programs for Medical Assistants in Alaska

Searching for the right online medical assistant program in Alaska is tricky since the “right” program differs from person to person. That said, some programs rank higher than others for objective markers of excellence like course flexibility, accreditation, academic rigor, and student support resources. The spotlighted schools below rank well in these areas, plus they offer affordable programs and financial aid opportunities.

University of Alaska Southeast

Anyone looking for an online medical assistant program in Alaska should consider the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS). The UAS Medical Assisting program consists of three parts: clinical prerequisites, clinical procedural coursework, and a practicum. All prerequisites are offered online and cover topics like anatomy, medical terminology, and medical billing. Classes in clinical procedures focus on a specific clinical topic (e.g., working in a laboratory, assisting other medical professionals during an appointment, etc.). These are also offered online and usually self-paced with video modules and assignments for students to complete when they have time. In the final semester, students complete in-person practicums with local healthcare organizations. Most students can complete this component in their home community, meaning they won’t have to commute to the University of Alaska Southeast’s campus. Coursework prepares students to sit for a certification exam, and the school boasts a 100% pass rate for the last five years. The University of Alaska’s medial assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Charter College

Another stand-out online medical assistant program in Alaska is housed at Charter College. This ten-month Certificate in Medical Assistant program is a blended learning format with some coursework completed online and other classes and labs completed on campus. Charter College has multiple campuses around the state, making the in-person component more accessible. Courses cover topics like healthcare compliance and regulations, patient care, medical terminology, and anatomy. Students study the ins and outs of medical emergencies, medical billing, and medical coding. The curriculum also provides opportunities for students to reflect on how the medical and administrative sides work together and the medical assistants’ roles in both. Alongside coursework, students complete an externship with a local hospital or healthcare organization. This externship is 180 hours and provides real-world experience, the opportunity to apply classroom learning, and network opportunities with medical professionals. The program also prepares students to take a certifying exam from the National Center for Competency (NCCT) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The medical assistant program at Charter is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Salary & Career Outlook in Alaska for Medical Assistants

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023

Source: Projections Central, 2020-2030

Being a medical assistant is a great career option across the U.S. Nationally, the average salary is $43,350, and the industry is expected to grow 18.4%, signifying great job security. Alaska, however, is a slightly different story.

Medical assistants in Alaska earn over the national average to the tune of $52,530 a year on average. It is possible to earn more in Anchorage, but wages are quite similar between cities and nonmetropolitan areas in the state. As medical assistants gain experience, they also tend to command higher salaries with the 90th percentile of medical assistants in Alaska making $64,300 annually.

Compared to the U.S. as a whole, Alaska falls short in the medical assistant job growth rate at 14.8%. That said, the average growth rate for all careers nationally is 3 to 5%, so medical assistants in Alaska still have better job security than many other professionals.

Another financial benefit of getting a medical assistant degree is that it’s relatively affordable, and most programs offer excellent financial aid like scholarships and payment plans. That means you’re more likely to graduate as a medical assistant without student loan debt, and that average salary of $52,530 goes a lot further.

Answers to Your Questions

How much do medical assistants make in Alaska?

Medical assistants in Alaska command salaries that are often $9,000 more annually than the national average where medical assistants earn $43,350. The median salary in Alaska is $52,530 with those in the 90th percentile making $64,300 annually. These salaries tend to be similar in both metropolitan areas like Anchorage and more rural communities. Being a medical assistant is also a great entry point to the healthcare field. Those who want to earn more can enter more specialized roles as their career progresses, increasing their likelihood of earning in the 90th percentile. They can also pivot into related careers like nursing or healthcare management.

How much does a medical assistant program cost?

Medical assistant programs tend to be more affordable than associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in healthcare. Based on the schools researched for this guide, program costs vary between $2,000 and $5,000. While more affordable than a bachelor’s degree, paying $2,000 or more is still significant. Fortunately, many programs offer scholarships and payment plans, so your medical assisting tuition fits with your budget and lifestyle.

What is the code of ethics for medical assistants in AK?

Alaska doesn’t have a strict scope of work for medical assistants, and there isn’t a state license that medical assisting students must apply for before they work in the state. Most employers, however, adhere to a strict code of ethics. They often judge if medical assistants can uphold that code of ethics by assessing if the program they graduated from was accredited. Many employers also require students to pass a certification exam, such as the one from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

How do I get medical assistant certification?

While Alaska doesn’t have state licensure requirements, employers will probably have stricter requirements when hiring medical assistants. Most want certified medical assistants. Multiple organizations offer certification exams, and your program is likely already affiliated with a specific exam. These programs usually cover medical assistant certification study materials, so you can ace your certification exam and start working as a medical assistant faster.

Medical Assistant Scope of Practice

Alaska doesn’t require medical assistants to register with the state, though many employers in Alaska prefer to hire medical assistants who pass an industry certification exam, such as the CMA exam. State statutes do, however, say a physician cannot delegate professional tasks that require a license to a medical assistant. Still, many medical assistants perform both medical and administrative tasks for healthcare practices and hospitals in Alaska. Common medical assistant duties and skills include:

• Assisting with patient examinations
• Assisting during surgery
• Collecting blood samples for lab tests
• Helping with medication administration
• Interviewing patients
• Maintaining medical supplies and other inventory
• Performing medical coding and billing
• Recording patient medical histories
• Scheduling patient appointments

While those duties are pretty general, medical assistants can specialize their career paths in two ways. The first is to work within a specific niche of medicine, such as geriatric or psychiatric care. When you take on more responsibilities in a specific type of medicine, you can hone your resume to make it a perfect fit for medical assisting roles in that sub-niche. Along with providing more fulfillment, specialized medical assisting skills also help you command top dollar in salary negotiations.

The other way is to pivot into a related field. Medical assistants perform both medical tasks and administrative tasks, but there’s probably one you’ll prefer more than the other. Using that preference, you can continue your education or hone your experience to pivot into a related role, such as being a nurse, lab technician, or healthcare administrator. Plus, there are many bridge programs that are quicker and easier for medical assistants to complete since they already have experience working in healthcare. In these more specialized roles, you can earn more and take on projects that closely align with your professional goals.