Online Kansas Medical Assistant Programs: Review & Comparison
If you want a quick start to a career that puts you at the front lines of Kansas’ healthcare system, you just might be Kansas’s next medical assistant. Medical assistants work directly with both patients and healthcare providers as a vital link in the healthcare process. Learn what you need to know to become a medical assistant in Kansas, including information on types of online programs, salary and career trends, and why this field is growing rapidly.
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What to Expect from Online Medical Assistant Programs in Kansas
Medical assistant programs are typically either certificate/diploma programs, or associate degrees, with associate degrees being somewhat more in-depth. You do not need any previous postsecondary education to start a medical assistant program, and can generally apply directly out of high school. If you choose to pursue an online degree, you’ll be taking synchronous or asynchronous video classes, as well as completing independent work and study. Some online medical assistant programs also include internship opportunities, although these will generally have an in-person element. Here are a few high-quality Kansas online medical assistant programs for your consideration:
Associate Degree in Medical Assisting – Barton Community College
Barton Community College’s medical assistant program offers online classes and the ability to gain hands-on experience, with both classroom education and an externship. Course topics include medical terminology, healthcare laws, and understanding medical histories. Students also learn to assist with minor surgeries, take blood samples, record vital signs, and administer medications. The curriculum also covers key administrative skills, such as filing insurance claims, handling calls from patients, and how to manage office accounts.
To complement classroom learning, students complete an externship in an ambulatory medical setting. This hands-on experience must be completed in person. Students earn an associate’s degree upon graduation, a higher qualification than a diploma.
Duration: 2 years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $10,240
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application (admissions are open with no prerequisites)
Curriculum:
- Business English or English Composition
- General Psychology
- Technical Math or Math for Pre-Hospital Provider
- Computer Concepts & Applications
- Medical Terminology
- Interpersonal Communications or Public Speaking
- Developmental Psychology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical Administrative Aspects
- Patient Care
- Basic Pharmacology
- Medical Coding
- Medical Professional Issues
- Principles of Phlebotomy
- Emergency Preparedness
- Medical Assistant Internship
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Medication Administration
- Basic Medical Lab Techniques
- Emphasis Electives
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Medical Assistant Certificate – Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City Kansas Community College offers one of the most affordable online programs in the state. The curriculum covers key topics, such as medical terminology, human anatomy, and financial practices for medical centers. Classes balance the clinical and administrative side of work as a medical assistant. The program focuses on administrative duties, making it an excellent program for those who want to improve the day-to-day operations of healthcare systems and hospitals. Skills covered include filing insurance claims, managing patient accounts, and scheduling patient appointments. Classes also focus on communicating in healthcare settings and effective management practices. The final course is centered around career preparation and instructor-guided job applications.
Duration: 6 Months
Mode: Fully Online
Cost: $1,895
Admissions Requirements:
- Online Application
- Prior knowledge of medical terminology is strongly recommended
Curriculum:
- Medical Assisting Foundations
- Professional Behavior
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- The Art of Communicating
- Telecommunications, Telephone Professionalism, and Telephone Techniques
- Written Communications
- Medical Office Environment
- Patient Scheduling
- Managing Medical Records
- Introduction to Health Insurance
- Medical Coding: An Overview
- Patient Accounts
- Insurance Claims, Patient Billing, and Collections
- Daily Financial Practices
- Managing the Office
- Pharmacology
- Certification
Medical Assisting Certificate – Wellspring School of Allied Health
Looking for one of the quickest medical assistant programs in Kansas? Consider the medical assisting certificate program atWellspring School of Allied Health. The curriculum covers clinical components, such as healthcare terminology, phlebotomy, and fingerstick testing, and includes coursework on the administrative aspects of an MA career, featuring classes on healthcare insurance, recording patient vitals, and medical billing and coding. The program prepares students to not only sit for the certified medical assistant exam but also for the certified phlebotomy technician exam. Along with offering all courses online, the school provides a flexible class schedule, making this degree convenient for those with a full-time job or other responsibilities.
Duration: 10 Months
Mode: Online
Cost: $17,100
Admissions Requirements:
- Online Application
Curriculum:
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Patient Administration
- Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics
- Pharmacology & Injections
- Medical Procedures & Minor Surgery
- Emergency Medical Procedures
- Phlebotomy
- Medical Billing & Coding
- Nutrition & Wellness
- Patient Vitals
- Fingerstick Testing
- Urinalysis Testing
Common Questions about Medical Assistant Programs in Kansas
It’s natural to have questions before enrolling in a Kansas medical assistant program. Starting a new course with an eye toward a career change is a big step, and most students want all the facts before they commit. With that in mind, here are a few commonly asked questions and answers for you to review:
How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Kansas?
To become a medical assistant in Kansas, you need to graduate from an accredited program. While there are some claims that medical assistant programs can be completed in six weeks, we didn’t find any of those programs in Kansas. On average, most programs in the state take one to two years to complete, though some are faster. At theWellspring School of Allied Health, for example, students can complete a medical assistant certificate program in as little as 10 months. While completing an accredited program is the only requirement, taking the medical assistant certification exam can help you stand out, particularly when applying for roles with higher salaries.
How much do medical assistants make in Kansas?
Medical assistants in Kansas make an average wage of $39,020 a year. As this is an average, some Kansas medical assistants will make more, and some will make less, depending on the role, hours, and level of experience, as well as any specialization. Medical assistants’ duties can be varied and include reporting lab results to patients, working alongside doctors, and reading medical diagnoses and patient charts. Since medical assistants are integral to most healthcare organizations, they experience job stability and the opportunity for promotion, which often comes with a larger salary.
How much does it cost to become a medical assistant in Kansas?
Investing in your education can be expensive, with some medical assistant programs costing upwards of $10,000. Fortunately, there are many affordable medical assistant programs in Kansas. Two of the most competitively priced are Kansas City Kansas Community College ($1,895 total) and Barton Community College (about $5,060 total). However, the “sticker price” at any given school does not necessarily reflect the total cost for all students. In addition to looking for affordable medical assistant programs, scholarships from schools, state and local government, or private foundations are often available for aspiring healthcare professionals, and are worth investigating.
What do I need to know about accreditation for medical assistant programs in Kansas?
Without accreditation, employers will not recognize your medical assistant training. Before applying to programs, check that the school as a whole is accredited. You also want to consider if the medical assistant program is recognized by an accrediting body, such as Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. While it’s only necessary that the school as a whole is accredited in order for your training to be recognized as legitimate, programmatic accreditation can lend your qualifications extra prestige. This can be helpful when applying for medical assistant jobs after graduation.
What is the scope of practice for a medical assistant in Kansas?
Medical assistants collaborate with doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to provide excellent care. What you might not know about their scope of practice is that medical assistants can specialize, take on leadership opportunities in hospitals, and are in an excellent position to advance their career. Specialization can involve working as a medical assistant in a specific field of medicine, such as pediatrics, gastroenterology, etc. If you wish to take on a leadership role as a CMA, you may need more specialized work experience or training. More experienced medical assistants, as well as those in leadership positions, may earn higher salaries.
Certifications and Continuing Education in Kansas
The State of Kansas does not currently require medical assistants to complete any continuing education to retain certification. Once you pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam and begin working as a certified medical assistant, you will not need to retake your exam or take any specific courses. You will also not need licensure to work with specific medical laboratory technology in Kansas. However, it might be advantageous for you in job applications and as you move up the career ladder to take on additional education or training. This can include additional certification in other healthcare fields such as phlebotomy, or, if your medical assistant program was a certificate or diploma, completing an associate degree. You may also find that your career opportunities expand as you gain work experience, especially if you’re hoping to take on an administrative leadership role within a medical office setting.
Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in Kansas
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $42,000 | $56,480 |
| Kansas | $30,610 | $37,670 | $48,570 |
| Lawrence, KS | $31,200 | $39,290 | $41,220 |
| Manhattan, KS | $28,930 | $35,370 | $43,220 |
| Topeka, KS | $35,450 | $37,320 | $42,570 |
| Wichita, KS | $28,500 | $36,620 | $44,420 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 764,400 | 870,200 | 105,800 | 13.80% | 114,600 |
| Kansas | 4,760 | 5,380 | 620 | 13.00% | 710 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
