Maine's Online Medical Assistant Programs: Exploring Top Schools
As the demand for health services continues to grow in Maine, so does the need for skilled medical assistants to support physicians and other healthcare team members. And you can get the education and training you need today through a quality, affordable online medical assistant program. This guide walks you through the process of finding, applying to, and succeeding in the right online medical assisting program in Maine for you. We’ve also included valuable information and national medical assistant certification, what you’ll earn as a working medical assistant in the state, and a whole lot more.
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Types of Medical Assistant Programs in Maine
Once you’ve decided to pursue a career in medical assisting, your next step will be to choose the right credential type (diploma, certificate, or associate degree) for you. Generally speaking, if finding the quickest route to begin your MA career is a top priority, then you’ll likely opt for a medical assistant diploma or certificate. If you’re looking to expand your field of MA career opportunities or intend to continue your postsecondary studies sometime in the future, then you’ll want to consider an associate degree. Regardless of which credential option you select, you’ll find that the course of study for your online medical assistant program in Maine will combine online didactic coursework with classes and labs attended in person on your school’s campus. You’ll also likely complete a clinical internship or externship with a local hospital, physician’s office, healthcare clinic, or other program-affiliated medical facility.
To give you an idea of what your MA education experience will be like, here are spotlights of three quality online medical assistant programs in Maine currently available:
Medical Assistant Diploma and Associate Degree Programs – Beal University
Beal University in Bangor offers students both 12-month diploma and 18-month associate degree medical assisting program options. Both programs combine online components and in-person educational experiences. They’re also both accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which allows successful graduates to sit for the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam, provided they meet all eligibility criteria. During the medical assisting program, you’ll complete a 160-hour externship in an actual medical setting after you’ve completed the four required medical assisting labs.
Throughout the program, you’ll develop many skills and abilities such as: recognizing and respecting cultural diversity; adapting communication to an individual’s ability to understand; identifying and responding effectively to verbal, nonverbal, and written communications; using medical terminology appropriately; and providing instruction to individuals according to their needs. Your training in administrative functions will help you meet the highest legal and ethical standards of the medical assistant profession.
Duration: 12 months (diploma); 18 months (associate degree)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $11,733 (total annual, tuition only)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Proof of required immunizations.
- Criminal background check.
Curriculum:
Diploma
- MA101 Introduction to Medical Assisting
- MA114 Medical Assisting – Urinalysis and ECG
- MA119 Medical Assisting – Phlebotomy
- MA215 Medical Assisting – Medication Administration
- MA220 Medical Assisting Externship
- MO203 Medical Ethics & Law
- MO217 Medical Administrative Procedures
- PY101 Introduction to Psychology
- ZO101 Medical Terminology
- ZO115 Human Anatomy and Physiology of the Structural Systems
- ZO116 Human Anatomy and Physiology of the Organ Systems
- ZO201 Pharmacology
Associate Degree
Concentration Requirements
- MA101 Introduction to Medical Assisting
- MA114 Medical Assisting – Urinalysis and ECG
- MA119 Medical Assisting – Phlebotomy
- MA215 Medical Assisting – Medication Administration
- MA220 Medical Assisting Externship
- MO203 Medical Ethics & Law
- MO217 Medical Administrative Procedures
- ZO101 Medical Terminology
- ZO201 Pharmacology
General Education Requirements
- EH102 Speech
- EH111 English Composition
- HY103 U.S. History 1865 to the Present
- MS110 College Algebra
- PY101 Introduction to Psychology
- PY202 Lifespan Development
- SC101 Introduction to Sociology
- ZO115 Human Anatomy and Physiology of the Structural Systems
- ZO116 Human Anatomy and Physiology of the Organ Systems
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting – Washington County Community College
Located in Calais, Maine, Washington County Community College offers students a hybrid-formatted Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting program that requires completion of 64 credits of general education and major-specific coursework. This two-year, full-time course of study allows students to complete their first year entirely online and their second year partially online and partially on campus. The program is accredited by the Medical Assisting Education Review Board and the CAAHEP. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the CMA or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification exam. Students enrolled in the medical assisting program must maintain an 80% rate on all competencies within the program to graduate.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $96/credit (Maine resident); $144/credit (New England resident); $192/credit (non-resident)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Proof of required immunizations.
- Criminal background check.
Curriculum:
- MDT103 Introduction to Medical Assisting
- CPT140 Word Processing
- ENG101College Composition
- FYE100 First-Year Experience
- MAT106 College Mathematics for Technologies or higher
- MDT125 Medical Terminology
- BUS205 Business Communications
- MDT130 Medical Office Management
- MDT134 Medical Documentation
- MDT135 Clinical Office Procedures I & Lab
- MDT221Insurance Coding and Billing
- BIO130 Human Anatomy and Physiology
- BUS230 Supervisory Management
- MDT223 Phlebotomy and Infection Control
- MDT227 Introduction to Pharmacology
- MDT235 Clinical Office Procedures II & Lab
- Elective
- MDT240 Medical Assisting Capstone
- MDT245 Clinical Medical Cooperative Practicum
- PHI115 Ethics
- PSY101 Introduction to Psychology or PSY105 Human Relations
Medical Assistant Apprenticeship – York County Community College
York County Community College (YCCC) partners with MaineHealth, York Hospital, and Galbraith Family Medicine, LLC, to provide free medical assistant certification for 18 participants annually. Starting each August, this tuition-free, nine-month accelerated program provides paid, on-the-job training and mastery of medical assisting skills learned in the classroom. Through the apprenticeship, students work with medical assistants for 20 hours a week at a partnering medical office. At the same time, they receive blended classroom and online instruction from YCCC’s medical assistant instructors.
Students take the exam for certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) professional certification exam upon successful completion of the program. Those accepted into the program must commit to working within the MaineHealthsystem for at least 12 months following completion of their training. Students can also receive up to 30 college credits and advance into YCCC’s health studies degree program. More on MA apprenticeship programs in Maine in the FAQs below.
Duration: Nine months
Mode: Hybrid (blended classes with in-person paid apprenticeship)
Cost: Free
Admissions Requirements:
- Maine residents only.
- Must be 18 or older at start of training.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Proof of required immunizations.
- Criminal background check.
Curriculum:
On-the-job training combined with classroom sessions covering the full range of MA tasks, including recording patient histories and personal information, taking vital signs, aiding physicians, giving medications and injections, scheduling appointments, entering information into patient records, and preparing blood samples for lab testing.
Common Questions from Maine Medical Assistant Students
Still want to know more? Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about medical assistant programs in Maine. Whether you’re looking for information about certification requirements, program timelines, salary, or Maine-specific employment opportunities, we have the answers for you.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Maine?
The time it takes you to complete your online medical assistant program in Maine depends primarily on the credential you’re seeking (diploma, certificate, associate degree) as well as the specific program you choose. And while there are some accelerated online MA programs in the U.S. that claim program lengths of as little as several weeks, you’ll likely find that your MA training in Maine will require, at minimum, several months of study. For example, the YCCC/MaineHealth medical assistant program (spotlighted above) requires nine months to complete. And the program lengths for the MA diploma and associate degree programs at Beal University (also spotlighted above) are 12 months and 18 months, respectively.
Is financial aid available for online medical assistant programs in Maine?
Finding help to pay for their education and training is a major concern for practically all prospective medical assistant students. The good news is that there are a variety of financial aid options available to qualifying MA students in Maine. Included are scholarships and grants, work-study opportunities, VA benefits for military veterans, employer tuition reimbursement programs, tuition discount offers, and the ever-popular student loan. But you’ll need to contact the financial aid offices at the schools you’re considering to find out exactly what’s available. Two other great resources for finding help in funding your online medical assistant program are these Maine.gov Financing Education and Finance Authority of Maine websites.
Are there medical assistant apprenticeship programs available in Maine?
Yes. Medical assistant apprenticeship programs provide students the opportunity to receive the education and training needed to become professional medical assistants and qualify for national certification in an on-the-job, earn-as-you-learn format. These programs are typically available from major healthcare providers (such as MaineHealth and MaineGeneral Health) either directly or through partnerships with Maine community colleges. An example of a community college/healthcare provider program partnership is the York County Community College program spotlighted above. Training is tuition-free and MA apprentices are paid an hourly wage for working a given number of hours each week. Wage amounts and program lengths vary from program to program. Additionally, medical assistant apprentices must commit to employment with the program’s provider for a given period of time once the program is completed.
What are the main duties of medical assistants in Maine?
In the simplest of terms, the role of the medical assistant is to aid physicians, nurses, and other medical staff members in the treatment of patients. By law, MAs can only work under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. Medical assistants in Maine typically perform several, if not all, of the following clinical and administrative tasks:
- Take vital signs and medical histories.
- Schedule appointments.
- Answer calls.
- Order supplies.
- Prepare patients for examinations.
- Collect sample specimens.
- Assist physicians with patient exams.
- Handle electronic medical record documentation.
- Submit billing and insurance claims.
- Prep for exams.
- Change sterile dressings.
- Assist with electrocardiography.
- Provide patient education.
Is accreditation important for Maine medical assistant programs?
The short answer is yes. Accreditation is the process through which you can be certain that the medical assistant program in Maine you choose has been vetted for academic quality. In turn, it means that employers are assured that the MAs they employ possess the important professional skills needed for competent medical practice. There are two forms of accreditation to look for during your program search: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation concerns the academic quality of a school overall and is administered by any of several regional and national accrediting agencies recognized by the Department of Education. Programmatic accreditation concerns the quality of medical assistant programs themselves. There are two main accreditors of U.S.-based MA programs: the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
You can check current institutional and programmatic accreditation status by using this Department of Education accreditation search engine.
Certification Requirements for Medical Assistants in Maine
The State of Maine does not license medical assistants nor does it require MAs to possess national medical assistant certification to work in the state. Nevertheless, it is in your best interest to obtain one of the several national MA certifications available. That’s because most employers prefer or require such certification of their medical assistant staff members. The two most popular national MA certifications are the Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) from the National Association for Health Professionals and the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants. You will find that vast majority of Maine-based online MA programs will qualify you for one or both of these national certifications.
Regarding continuing education, Maine does not mandate continuing education for medical assistants employed in the state. You will, however, need to complete CE requirements in order to keep your national certification active. For example, those holding CMA certification must renew their credentials every 60 months by either completing 60 CE credits or retaking the CMA exam. NRCMA certification holders must complete 10 CE credits annually to keep their credentials active.
Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in Maine
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $42,000 | $56,480 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $39,530 | $45,690 | $54,390 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $39,080 | $47,850 | $52,340 |
| Bangor, ME | $38,230 | $45,210 | $52,440 |
| Maine | $37,680 | $44,610 | $52,440 |
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 ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 4,200 | 4,490 | 290 | 6.90% | 580 |
| 1 – United States | 764,400 | 870,200 | 105,800 | 13.80% | 114,600 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
