Online Medical Assistant Programs in South Carolina: Top Schools

Inside Top South Carolina Schools for Medical Assisting

Want to become a medical assistant? The first step is completing a certificate, diploma, or certification program that prepares you for a national certification test. Many programs are fully online or hybrid, combining online classes with in-person labs or clinical training. Below are two of the best online medical assistant programs in South Carolina to offer a helpful benchmark of what to look for in a quality program.

FAQs for South Carolina Medical Assistant Students

Below, we’ve covered some of the most common questions students ask about becoming a medical assistant. Here, you’ll find answers about online medical assistant program costs, certification, and your duties and salary as a medical assistant.

What is the cost of a medical assistant certification program?

As shown with the schools we highlighted above, online medical assistant programs in South Carolina cost about $2,799-$3,295, making them an affordable way to get started in the field.

Medical assisting programs often cost a flat rate rather than a specific amount per class or semester, making it easier to plan your finances up front. To make your course more affordable, look into financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, grants, or student loans. Some schools even offer monthly payment plans.

How much do medical assistants make in South Carolina?

Medical assistants in South Carolina earn between $31,240 and $47,120, depending on location and experience. The average annual salary of a medical assistant in South Carolina is $38,820, compared to $44,200 at the national level.

Keep in mind that this could be due to location and lower cost of living. Some of the larger cities, such as Charleston and Greenville, pay medical assistant wages closer to the national average.

What is the legal scope of practice for medical assistants in SC?

Medical assistants can legally perform the following duties under the supervision of a physician:

• Educating patients
• Assisting with minor procedures
• Administering medication
• Prepare exam rooms
• Take samples for testing
• Record patient vital signs

Medical assistants are not allowed to diagnose patients or provide care without the supervision of a physician. In South Carolina specifically, MAs cannot administer controlled/intravenous medicines, operate lasers, or triage patients.

How do I become a certified medical assistant in South Carolina?

Passing the medical assistant certification exam through the NHA or another certifying board is the best way to become certified in South Carolina.

Medical assistants are not required to be certified. However, it makes you more employable and most colleges in the South Carolina offer an NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam as part of their medical assisting program.

Are medical assisting programs available online?

Yes! There are several medical assisting programs in South Carolina that are available entirely online. The schools we highlighted above have programs 100% online, with optional externship opportunities if you want hands-on experience.

Other programs are considered hybrid, meaning they most often have lectures and assignments online, often recorded so you can watch at your own pace, and labs or clinical experiences on campus or at another location.

South Carolina Medical Assistant Certification

While certification is not required for medical assistants in South Carolina, it’s still an important credential worth considering. There are several national exams that a medical assistant can take to become certified, each with different requirements for continuing education and renewal.

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA): Offered by the American Associate of Medical Assistant (AAMA), this credential requires graduation from an accredited medical assistant program and passing a certification exam. Requires 60 CEUs every 5 years, with at least 30 points from AAMA-approved CEUs. The remaining points can come from other sources, such as self-study.
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA): Offered by American Medical Technologists, this credential can be obtained in several ways, including graduating from an accredited medical assistant program or having five years of medical assistant experience. Requires an annual recertification fee of $75 and submission of 30 CCP points (continuing education hours) every three years.
• National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA): Offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), this credential focuses on patient care, phlebotomy, and administrative duties. Requires annual certification renewal, which can be fulfilled by paying the $77 recertification fee and completing 14 hours of continuing education.
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA): Offered by the National Healthcareer Association, this credential is geared toward individuals who are more interested in the clinical side of medical assisting. Requires 10 online CEUs from approved providers every 2 years.

Continuing education (CE) courses can help medical assistant stay current on medical technology, diagnostic procedures, and treatment protocols. Some examples of CE topics include cultural competency, implicit bias, human trafficking, chronic pain, integrative medicine, and HIPAA protection.

Your Salary & Career Potential as a Medical Assistant in SC

Best Online Medical Assistant Programs in South Carolina