Idaho’s Best Schools for Medical Assistants: Online & Campus

Discover medical assistant programs online in Idaho and find a match to help you jumpstart your career. Explore top schools, learn more about salary and careers, and get answers to frequently asked questions.

You already know you want the diverse career growth options, job stability, and opportunity to help others that comes with a career in the medical assistant field, so how do you get started? If you’re ready to take the first step in this career path, it begins with pursuing a degree in medical assisting. However, not all medical assisting degree programs are the same, and some might be a better fit for your needs and skills depending on factors such as program location, cost, whether or not an online option is provided, program length, and more.

For students in the Gem State, there are numerous accredited and high-quality online medical assistant programs. Here’s everything you need to know about some of the most popular online medical assistant programs in Idaho, as well as details about what you can expect after graduation. Learn how much you can confidently expect to make annually, as well as the various tasks you’ll likely be able to perform after you successfully land your first role.

Ready to get started? Take a look at the online medical assistant programs in Idaho listed below and find the perfect fit.

Idaho’s Most Popular Online Medical Assistant Schools

When you compare online medical assistant programs in Idaho, you’ll notice differences in cost, time necessary, format, and more. These differences will inform your final decision as you consider the ideal fit for you. Here are three schools with online medical assistant programs in Idaho to help you narrow your search.

College of Western Idaho

With multiple locations, the College of Western Idaho’s online medical assistant program offers options for both regional students and those living elsewhere in the state.

The school’s online program is excellent for those who need flexibility, with classes fully online except for 100 in-person clinical hours. (Note: In-person clinical hours are required for all online medical assistant programs in ID). Along with the remote, all-online format, the school offers lots of student support, so you can reach out via email, live chat, or phone, any time you need extra help.

Tuition starts at $3,799, and you can complete this degree program in as little as a year. When you’re finished, you’ll be able to obtain national certifications necessary for your career. Certification exam fees are covered as part of the program, and with the college’s CareerStep partnership, you can access unique financial aid opportunities, such as monthly payment plans and funding for military spouses.

Idaho Medical Academy

Want to complete your training and get on the job as quickly as possible? The medical assistant program at Idaho Medical Academy might be a great fit. In just three months, students learn necessary medical assisting skills, including recording vital signs and medical histories, drawing blood, and otherwise prepping patients to be seen by physicians. After your training, you’ll be able to move on to your clinical hours and national certifications.

Unlike other online medical assistant programs in Idaho, Idaho Medical Academy enrolls students at 16 years of age with a guardian’s permission (other programs may require you to be 18 years of age or older). Course prerequisites include a current GED or equivalent.

The program is not 100% online, blending traditional classroom instruction with an online component. Tuition can be paid via a payment plan, which requires a $1,000 down payment, and three months of additional payments, at approximately $366 per month which includes a 10% payment plan fee.

Eagle Gate College

Like the program above, the medical assisting program at Eagle Gate College in Boise is a blend of in-person and online instruction. The program includes online instruction, in-person laboratory work, and clinical hours, and it all takes just nine months. If you want to begin the enrollment process, you’ll need to first meet with an admissions representative, provide proof of a high school diploma or GED, complete a financial aid appointment and an admissions assessment. Overall, this medical assistant program offers a more traditional college learning experience, ideal for those who prefer in-person learning, but who still need a little flexibility of online options.

Salary & Career Overview for Medical Assistants in Idaho

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

Source: Projections Central, 2020-2030

The job outlook for medical assistants in Idaho is promising, with the nationwide job growth for medical assistants projected at 18.4%. This estimated growth is “much faster than average,” according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As current medical assistants move to different roles or retire, more jobs are projected to open for new medical assistant program graduates in ID.

Once you have that job, you can expect to make about $40,000 per year, with the mean annual salary for medical assistants in Idaho at $42,110, about $1,000 less per year than the mean annual salary for medical assistants nationwide.

Your location will influence how much you make, with medical assistants in larger cities earning more. Medical assistants in Idaho make the most in Boise City, at $43,190, and make the least in Pocatello, at $39,140 per year. That’s roughly a $4,000 difference, or about $75 per week.

Your Questions, Answered

What is the cost of a medical assistant program in Idaho?

The cost of a medical assistant program in Idaho depends on several factors. Beyond cost fluctuating from school to school, programs may also differ in cost if they’re offered in-person vs. online or hybrid, or if they result in a medical assistant certificate or a medical assistant associate’s degree.

As an example, the College of Western Idaho’s online medical assistant certificate program starts at $3,799. However, the in-person medical assistant certificate program at the school starts at $5,158. The school’s in-person medical assistant associate’s degree of applied science program starts at $9,160.

How long does a medical assistant program take?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average medical assistant program takes about 1–2 years to complete. This includes both medical assistant certificate programs and medical assistant associate’s degree programs, with associate’s degree programs requiring more time overall.

Over that year or two, you’ll learn necessary skills related to medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology. You’ll also complete clinical hours in a medical setting, under supervision, where you can practice what you’ve learned thus far in a hands-on, real-life environment.

Can a medical assistant program be completed online?

Yes, you can complete the classroom portion of a medical assistant program online. Some schools offer fully online coursework, while others offer a hybrid option with required hands-on lab work. Beyond classroom instruction, many medical assistant programs also require that you complete in-person externship hours, working in a real-life medical setting shadowing other workers and possibly performing tasks that you might need to perform once you’re hired.

How can I check if a school is accredited?

The accreditation process ensures that schools meet certain quality standards. Accreditation is conducted by both non-government third parties and government agencies at both the state and federal levels. U.S. Department of Education notes if you pursue federal student aid, you must attend a school accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. To check if a school is accredited, you can search accreditation records in the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

Scope of Practice for Medical Assistants

While your assigned tasks will differ depending on your work environment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can expect to perform tasks such as recording patients’ medical histories when they arrive for an appointment, measuring and recording vital signs, assisting physicians with examinations, and collecting laboratory samples. You may also complete administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, checking patients in for appointments, processing insurance, or generally managing the physicians’ office.

However, there are certain things that you won’t be permitted by law to do as a medical assistant and those permissions may differ according to state. For example, you may or may not be able to perform laboratory tests or handle contaminated materials, depending on where you live.

In the state of Idaho, according to the Idaho Department of Labor, in addition to completing administrative tasks, medical assistants are also allowed to perform clinical tasks such as taking and recording vitals and medical histories, drawing blood and administering medications under the supervision of a physician.

You will not be able to perform tasks like prescribing medication, which physician assistants can do. As Idaho’s Eagle Gate College explains, there are similar differences between what a medical assistant and a certified nursing assistant can do. In general, certified nursing assistants often work in hospitals or long-term care facilities helping patients with daily living in addition to monitoring their health. Medical assistants typically work in doctor’s offices and similar settings, focusing on performing tasks during brief, in-and-out appointments.