Online Maryland Medical Assistant Programs: View and Compare

Exploring the Features of Online Medical Assistant Programs in Maryland

Your first step in pursuing your MA education is to decide which medical assistant credential type is right for you. If you are looking for the quickest and most affordable path to starting your MA career, then a medical assistant certification prep course (like any of the three programs spotlighted directly below) is probably your best bet. If you’re seeking a more advanced education and an expanded range of career options, then you might want to consider an associate degree program. Regardless of credential type, you’ll find that most online medical assistant programs in Maryland will include fully or partially online didactic coursework, campus-attended class sessions and/or labs, and required or optional clinical experiences attended at program-approved medical practice sites (like hospitals, physician’s offices, medical clinics, etc.).

Essential FAQs for Medical Assistant Students in Maryland

If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant in Maryland, you understandably have questions. Digging into all of the important education requirements and career prospects of becoming a medical assistant takes time and effort. To help get you started, here are answers to five questions often asked by prospective medical assistants in Maryland.

How long is a medical assistant program in Maryland?

The time it takes you to complete your medical assistant program in Maryland will depend on a number of factors, including credential type (certification course, diploma, certificate, associate degree) and the specific program you choose. And while some schools claim online MA program lengths of just a few weeks, you can expect to spend at least a few months in your Maryland-based medical assistant program, particularly when it comes to completing an internship or externship. Examples of online medical assistant programs in Maryland with notably shorter program lengths include the three spotlighted above.

How important is accreditation for Maryland medical assistant programs?

Proper accreditation is very important. It’s the means by which you can be assured that the MA education and training you receive meets important standards of academic quality. And, in turn, it’s how you can be certain that your MA program provides you with the skills you need to for competent practice as a professional medical assistant. You’ll want to confirm that the program you choose is both programmatically and institutionally accredited. Programmatic accreditation has to do with the quality of medical assisting programs specifically. The two main accreditors of U.S.-based MA programs are the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Institutional accreditation concerns the overall academic quality the school offering the medical assistant program. It is administered by a number of independent Department of Education recognized regional and national accrediting agencies.

You can check current programmatic and institutional accreditation status by using this Department of Education accreditation search engine.

Is financial aid available for online medical assistant programs in Maryland?

If you’re like the vast majority of medical assistant students out there, you’re probably going to need some help to fund your MA education. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of potential financial aid sources available to qualifying medical assistant students, including scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities, student loans, and more. Keep in mind, though, that financial aid opportunities may be limited for students in certain types of MA programs, particularly those of the non-credit certification course variety. That’s why it’s critical that you contact the financial aid office or a program representative at each of the school’s you’re considering before enrollment to see what funding help may be available to you.

How can I find my first medical assistant job once I’ve completed my MA education program?

There are plenty of resources out there to help you find and land your first medical assistant job, starting with any job placement or career support services offered through your education program itself. MA graduates also often find their first medical assistant job with the healthcare facility at which they completed their clinical internship or externship. And don’t underestimate the importance of cultivating a professional network that you can tap into when looking for work. One excellent networking resource is membership in the Maryland Society of Medical Assistants. Also, be sure to check out this Maryland Department of Labor job search engine.

What can a medical assistant do in Maryland?

In basic terms, medical assistants aid physicians and other medical team members in patient care and treatment. By law, MAs must only practice under the direct supervision of a physician. Specific medical assistant clinical and administrative tasks typically include (depending on the specific job) a combination of the following:

• Taking medical histories and vital signs.
• Answering telephone calls.
• Scheduling appointments.
• Ordering medical and office supplies.
• Preparing patients for examinations.
• Collecting specimen samples.
• Helping physicians with patient examinations.
• Handling electronic medical record documentation.
• Submitting medical billing and insurance claims.
• Applying and changing sterile dressings.
• Aiding with electrocardiography.
• Providing instruction and education to patients.

Maryland Professional Certifications and Development Courses

Maryland does not require (or offer, for that matter) licensing or certification of medical assistants. In practical terms, though, those intending to work as MAs in the state will want to seriously consider obtaining national medical assistant professional certification. That’s because most employers require or strongly prefer medical assistant applicants with national certification. The good news is that graduates of top online MA programs in Maryland (including those mentioned in this guide) are eligible to sit for the exams for one or more certifications. Examples include the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants, the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the National Healthcareer Association, and the Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) from the National Association for Health Professionals.

Like licensure and certification, continuing education is not a requirement for Maryland-employed medical assistants. There are, however, renewal requirements for national certifications that typically include completion of CE hours. NRCMA certification holders, for example, must complete 10 CE credits annually to keep their certifications active. And those with CMA certification must renew their credentials every 60 months by either completing 60 CE credits or retaking the CMA exam.

Salary Expectations & Career Pathways for Medical Assistants in Maryland