Online Medical Assistant Programs in New Mexico: Finding a School
Medical assistants play a vital role in New Mexico’s healthcare system, supporting physicians and medical teams in clinics, hospitals, and private practices. Their responsibilities range from clinical tasks like recording vital signs and preparing patients for exams to administrative duties such as scheduling appointments and managing medical records. But what’s the best way to get started as a medical assistant in New Mexico? How do online training programs work, and what are the certification requirements in the state? Find answers to these questions and more with EduMed’s guide.
How These Programs Work
Looking for the right online medical assistant program? The best way to narrow your search is to understand how they work. Which ones have the elements you need to succeed both during and after your training. The following schools and programs represent some of New Mexico’s best. Read how they work and see if one of them might be right for you.
New Mexico Junior College
New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) in Hobbs is a public community college offering a range of online healthcare workforce development training programs that can be completed online, including this fully online Clinical Medical Assistant course. With a length of just four to six months, NMJC’s course provides an excellent example of just how quickly some online medical assistant programs in New Mexico can be completed. Coursework is delivered asynchronously, meaning that students can log on and attend to their studies at any time suiting their own schedules.
Students who successfully complete the course receive a Certificate of Completion and are eligible to take part in a voluntary clinical externship with a local healthcare agency or organization. Program graduates additionally have the option to sit for the examinations of important industry-recognized professional certifications such as the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the National Healthcareer Association.
Admission is open to applicants with a high school diploma or GED. The current total course cost (including coursework, fees, textbooks, and 24/7 learning support) is $2,599. Installment payment options are available.
University of New Mexico – Albuquerque
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) course offered through University of New Mexico Continuing Education is another MA program presented 100% online. The curriculum consists of two sections:
- Medical terminology: Students are introduced to all systems of the human body as well as common diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and nuclear medicine.
- CCMA basics: Learn about professional behavior, communication, and medical office practices and procedures.
All coursework is self-paced and delivered in an asynchronous format, and students can enroll and begin their studies at any time. Students additionally have the opportunity to become CPR certified and develop hands-on skills by participating in an unpaid, in-person clinical experience.
The course cost of $2,995 includes 12 months of program access, all textbooks, and other course materials. You’ll also receive a voucher that covers the registration fee to take the CCMA exam. While there are no specific prerequisites to enroll, a high school diploma or equivalent is needed to sit for the CCMA exam.
Southeast New Mexico College
Students preferring a more interactive learning experience will want to consider the partially online Medical Assistant Program offered by Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC). The curriculum consists of 31 college credits of coursework in subjects such as medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, medical office procedures, pharmacology, and nursing assistant theory (with lab). Additional coursework may be needed based on course prerequisites and placement test results.
Some classes are presented online, while others are attended in person on SENMC’s campus in Carlsbad. In addition, all students must complete 96 hours of supervised clinical practice in a hands-on work environment at a doctor’s office or other healthcare facility.
Graduates of the program receive a Certificate of Completion and are qualified to sit for the exam to obtain Medical Assistant (NCMA) Certification through the National Center for Competency Testing. Program length is three semesters (one full academic year), and both full-time and part-time study options are available.
The current per-credit cost (tuition and fees) is $49 for Carlsbad residents, $82 for all other New Mexico residents, and $167 for out-of-state residents.
Salary & Career Info for New Mexico Medical Assistants
You’re likely wondering about the return on investment for your education — namely, what will you earn, and how much growth potential is there in this field? As revealed through the U.S. Department of Labor data presented in the two tables below, medical assistants excel on both fronts. The first table examines salary averages for MAs in the U.S. and New Mexico generally, then drills down to a few metro areas within the state. The figures indicate earnings in New Mexico fall somewhat below those for the U.S. overall, which is likely due to a corresponding lower cost of living in the state in comparison with the entire nation. Nevertheless, these are solid numbers for an entry-level healthcare occupation and show the potential for healthy pay increases as MAs gain work experience and take more senior positions with larger employers.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| The U.S. | $33,500 | $43,350 | $56,480 |
| New Mexico | $30,690 | $39,020 | $47,950 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $32,180 | $39,870 | $48,860 |
| Farmington, NM | $30,320 | $38,250 | $45,220 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $28,050 | $36,290 | $44,800 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $34,600 | $44,360 | $55,910 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
Earnings for MAs may be solid, but when it comes to job security and growth, medical assistant careers are a powerhouse. This is made clear by the job growth projections listed in the table below. They indicate exceptional job growth potential both in New Mexico and the entire U.S., especially when compared to the projected 4% job growth rate for all occupations combined recently reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Area | New Jobs | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 132,600 | 18.4% | 104,400 |
| New Mexico | 1,630 | 21% | 1150 |
Source: Projections Central, 2020-2030
Answers to Your Questions
How much does a medical assistant program in New Mexico cost?
Affordability is a big benefit of online medical assistant programs in NM and throughout the country. The figures mentioned in the three spotlights above offer a good idea of the price range of online MA programs in the state (just over $1,500 at Southeast New Mexico College to just under $3,000 at New Mexico Junior College). Keep in mind, though, that you may be able to lower your total program price tag by taking advantage of any of a number of financial aid resources available directly from MA programs or elsewhere.
How do I become a certified medical assistant in NM?
There are no mandated licensure requirements to work as a medical assistant in New Mexico. But even if licensure isn’t required, most employers exclusively fill their MA positions with candidates who’ve received professional certification — including the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the National Healthcareer Association or the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants, among others. And both of those certifications require completion of an accredited MA training program to sit for their certification exams. So the most practical path to becoming a medical assistant in New Mexico is through completion of a medical assistant course like any of those mentioned in this guide and then earning your certification.
Are there medical assistant programs available online?
If you read the program spotlights above, then you know the answer is absolutely yes. And that’s true not only of New Mexico programs, but also of MA programs nationwide. Just remember that online MA programs in NM can take many forms (fully or partially online) and employ different content delivery formats (typically synchronous or asynchronous). So it’s critical that you understand just exactly what “online” means for any program you consider before you enroll.
Are online medical assistant programs accredited?
When it comes to accreditation, online medical assistant programs are accredited in the same ways and by the same accrediting organizations as campus-based MA programs. There are two basic types of accreditation to look for during your program search. The first is institutional accreditation, which concerns the overall academic quality of a postsecondary institution. Institutional accreditation is administered by a number of independent regional and national agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education — and researchable through the department’s database.
The second type, programmatic accreditation, concerns academic programs in a specific field or academic discipline. The two major accreditors of medical assistant programs are the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Medical Assistant Scope of Practice
Medical assistants do exactly as their title implies: They assist physicians and other medical staff members in providing care and treatment directly to patients at medical facilities of practically every kind. This includes hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing and retirement homes, urgent care and palliative care facilities, and even in prisons and college campuses. They also work in medical research facilities and diagnostic labs, as well as with healthcare-related administrative agencies and insurance companies.
Scope of practice laws vary by state. But in general, you’ll perform both clinical and administrative functions, with typical tasks outlined below.
Clinical:
- Show patients into the examination room.
- Interview patients by asking them to describe their symptoms and update their medical histories.
- Take and record patient vital signs including height, weight, temperature, and blood pressure. Perform basic medical tests such as EKGs.
- Assist patients in getting ready to see the doctor.
- Explain examination and treatment procedures to patients, spouses, and family members in a manner that helps them relax and feel comfortable in the exam room setting.
- Draw, label, and store blood samples, and prepare and collect urine and other samples for lab work.
- Perform basic lab tests.
- Assist doctors with their patient exams and treatment.
- Prepare, apply, and change bandages and dressings.
- Prepare and administer vaccinations and dispense medications under the direct supervision of a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or other authorized medical staff member.
- Instruct patients and their families on the use of prescribed medications, special diets, home treatments, etc.
Administrative:
- Welcome patients into the office as they arrive for their appointments.
- Answer the office phone and respond to office-related texts and emails.
- Schedule appointments.
- File and maintain patient records.
- Take care of the full range of office management duties including bookkeeping, billing, opening and sorting mail, filling out patient insurance forms, and ordering and maintaining medical and office supplies.
