Online Medical Assistant Programs in Louisiana: Top Schools
Medical assistants collaborate with Louisiana’s healthcare providers and play a critical role in helping patients navigate the complex healthcare system. If you’re looking to begin your online medical assistant education in Louisiana, this article provides a complete breakdown of different online medical assistant programs, including costs, curriculum, and admission requirements. Learn more about this fast-growing field and the best online medical assistant programs in the state.
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Types of Online Medical Assistant Programs in Louisiana
Before you begin looking for jobs as a medical assistant, you’ll need to complete an accredited educational program. Medical assistant training can be completed in one year or less for a diploma program, while an associate degree will typically take two years of full-time study. In a medical assistant program, students will learn the foundations of anatomy and medical terminology, as well as the administrative and technical skills necessary to work in a medical office. In an online program, these skills will be taught through synchronous or asynchronous video courses, with independent study. Below are some high-quality online medical assistant programs in Louisiana to consider:
Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Medical Assisting – Blue Cliff College
Blue Cliff College offers one of the best online associate’s degree in medical assistant program in the state. At nine months, this program is also one of the shortest in Louisiana. This program covers essential topics such as medical terminology, the basics of healthcare administration, and healthcare laws. Attendees also take a student success course to help develop career goals after graduation.
The school estimates that most students will pay $35,000 for tuition, fees, and other expenses like books and course materials. To help lower costs, Blue Cliff offers various financial aid opportunities, including scholarships. Graduates of this program are also provided the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree.
Duration: 9 Months
Mode: Online
Cost: $35,899
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- Students must have completed the Medical Assistant diploma program at Blue Cliff before being admitted to the Medical Assistant associate degree
Curriculum:
- Introduction to the HealthCare Workplace
- Medical Terminology 1
- Introduction to Clinical Procedures
- Anatomy and Physiology 1
- Computer Fundamentals
- Medical Office Procedures 1
- CPR / First Aid
- Medical Techniques and Procedures 1
- Medical Coding and Insurance
- Anatomy and Physiology 2
- Phlebotomy/Laboratory Procedures 1
- Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant
- Medical Techniques and Procedures 2
- Phlebotomy/Laboratory Procedures 2
- Professional Development
- Medical Assisting Externship
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Certification for Medical Administrative Assistants – Louisiana State University of Alexandria
Louisiana State University’s Alexandria campus offers a robust medical assistant certification program. The 12-month program is completely online, and the curriculum covers materials on the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Students receive a voucher as part of their tuition for this exam’s costs and online study resources, as well as a voucher that can be used on a medical billing exam. The course covers basic medical coding and billing knowledge as well as the duties of a medical assistant. Students also learn medical terminology, healthcare laws, and how telehealth works. Further, the school offers a course in finding medical assistant jobs as well as online professional development resources.
Duration: 12 Months
Mode: Online
Cost: $3,695
Admissions Requirements:
- Enroll online at any time; no prerequisites
- $20 application fee
Curriculum:
- Becoming an Administrative Medical Assistant
- Managing Stress and Improving Communication
- Law, Ethics and Healthcare
- Improving Your Medical Office
- Computers in the Ambulatory Care Setting
- Telecommunications and Patient Scheduling
- Medical Terminology: Word Parts, Plurals, Abbreviations
- Managing Medical Records
- Written Communication
- Working with Medical Documents
- Medical Billing and Coding: An Overview
- The Administrative Medical Assistant as Office Manager
- Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding
- Introduction to Health Insurance
- Legal Aspects of Health Insurance and Reimbursement
- CPT Coding
- HCPCS Level II Coding
- Pharmacology for Coders
- Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
- Insurance Claims
- Commercial Insurance
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Medicare
- Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, Workers’ Compensation
- Certification
- How to Find a Job in Medical Billing and Coding
Certificate in Medical Assisting – Louisiana State University of Eunice
Eunice, another LSU campus, offers a great medical assistant certification program that can be completed 100% online. You can earn a degree in 12 months and students don’t need to set foot on the Eunice campus once during the program. The total course fee is discounted for all students and includes a voucher for the certified medical assistant exam, administered by the NHA. Students can also take electives in specialties of interest to them, such as mental health or nutrition. Along with online coursework, students can access virtual exam study materials and professional development resources.
Duration: 12 Months
Mode: Online
Cost: $2,795
Admissions Requirements:
- Enroll Online; No Prerequisites
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Medical Terminology
- Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology
- Becoming a Medical Assistant
- Managing Stress and Improving Communication
- Law, Ethics and Healthcare
- Improving Your Medical Office
- Computers in the Ambulatory Care Setting
- Telecommunications and Patient Scheduling
- Enhancing Patient Experience
- Managing Medical Records
- Written Communication
- Working With Medical Documents
- Medical Billing and Coding: An Overview
- Daily Financial Practices
- The Administrative Medical Assistant as Office Manager
- Pathophysiology
- Nutrition and Special Diets
- The Chief Complaint and Patient History
- Recording Vital Signs
- The Physical Examination
- Specialty Exams and Procedures
- Medical Asepsis and Infection Control
- Surgical Asepsis and Sterilization Techniques
- Surgical Instruments
- Assisting With Minor Office Surgeries
- Introduction to the Medical Laboratory
- Basic Microbiology
- Introduction to Phlebotomy
- Basic Hematology
- Electrocardiogram
- Administering Noninjectable Medications
- Basic Guidelines for the Administration of Injections
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Rehabilitation and Treatment Modalities
- First Aid Techniques
- Emergencies in the Medical Office
Answers to Questions Louisiana Students Have About Medical Assisting
Most students will have questions before enrolling in an online medical assistant program. Starting a program is a major step, and it’s natural to want all the facts. Below are some of the most common questions from students considering enrolling in a medical assistant program, and their answers:
How do I become a medical assistant in Louisiana?
There’s one requirement to become a medical assistant in Louisiana: graduate from an accredited program. However, many of the highest paying or most desirable roles will expect other credentials, including passingthe medical assistant certification exam and possessing relevant work, volunteer, or internship experience. Further, you may want to consider gaining specialized work experience in a particular medical field, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, etc. Having a degree of specialization can benefit you in your job search as you continue in your medical assistant career, and potentially lead to higher pay.
What are medical assistants allowed to do in Louisiana?
Medical assistants in Louisiana work alongside doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to provide care. What youmay not know about medical assistants is that they are in an excellent position to specialize and take on leadership roles. In fact, some CMAs end up running day-to-day operations for private practices thanks to their specialized knowledge. If you decide that you want to specialize as a Louisiana CMA, you may need to look into continuing education or seek out roles which provide on-the-job training. Medical assistants who take on leadership roles may also earn higher salaries.
How long is medical assistant school in Louisiana?
The length of your medical assistant program in Louisiana will depend on a few things. In medical assistant school, students learn valuable skills such ashow to report lab work to patients, coordinate with doctors to provide care, and follow medical diagnostics and charts. As a result, these courses can take some time to complete, with the average medical assistant program in Louisiana lasting about 12 months. While it’s possible some programs can becompleted in six weeks, these are extremely rare in Louisiana. The shortest accredited program we found in the state can be completed in nine months and is offered throughBlue Cliff College.
How much does a CMA make an hour in Louisiana?
The average hourly rate for a CMA in Louisiana is $16.16, according tothe Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since that number is an average, some medical assistants in the state will make more or less. Per the BLS, the average annual salary for a Louisiana medical assistant is $33,610 per year. Again, this figure may be higher or lower depending on where you work, what your levels of responsibility are, and your prior experience and education. Generally, more experienced medical assistants, and those with specialized experience, tend to earn more.
Can medical assistants practice limited-scope radiography in Louisiana?
In order to perform limited-scope radiography services in Louisiana, a person must earna radiologic technology license. Only then can medical assistants use this type of healthcare technology. The radiologic technology license is considered an entirely separate qualification from an on-campus or online medical assistant qualification. If you are interested in performing limited-scope radiography, look into a licensure program. This may be especially helpful if limited-scope radiography is used in your workplace as a CMA. Radiologic technology licenses are separate from online or in-person medical assistant programs in Louisiana and offered separately, but medical assistants can earn them if they wish.
The Certification Process for Louisiana Medical Assistants
At present, the State of Louisiana only requires that you pass the CMA exam. The state does not require medical assistants to complete any form of continuing education in order to retain certification. However, additional certifications are required for medical assistants who want to expand their roles and take on more responsibilities working with medical technology. These certifications include a radiologic technology license for those interested in working with limited-scope radiology, and licensure for phlebotomists and other clinical laboratory personnel. These licenses are necessary to work with medical laboratory technology in Louisiana.
For those hoping to take on an administrative leadership role within a medical assistant career, there is no specific licensure or continuing education required. However, duration of work experience, and whether the medical assistant holds an associate degree as opposed to a diploma, may be relevant when a medical assistant is applying for leadership roles.
The Job Market and Pay for Medical Assistants in Louisiana
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $42,000 | $56,480 |
| Louisiana | $25,250 | $34,280 | $42,610 |
| Alexandria, LA | $22,280 | $29,760 | $36,500 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $26,120 | $35,530 | $44,740 |
| Hammond, LA | $28,450 | $34,980 | $41,390 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | $25,490 | $31,540 | $41,600 |
| Lafayette, LA | $23,740 | $29,100 | $42,200 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $27,230 | $34,480 | $37,900 |
| Monroe, LA | $22,080 | $29,560 | $35,900 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $28,920 | $35,920 | $42,610 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $26,730 | $33,080 | $40,690 |
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 |
| Louisiana | 10,740 | 12,060 | 1,320 | 12.30% | 1,580 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
