Medical Assistant Programs Online in Wisconsin: Compare Schools
Becoming a medical assistant in Wisconsin sets you off on an exciting journey that allows you to work closely with patients and blaze your path through the allied health field. This guide aims to get you started with information on some of Wisconsin’s best programs for medical assistants, what to expect after graduation, and even why certification matters. Read on to discover what you need to know about medical assistant programs in Wisconsin.
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Discover Online Medical Assistant Training Opportunities Pin Wisconsin
Medical assistants can enter the field in many ways. Some learn on the job with little to no formal training, but most choose an educational path that allows them to earn certification. This might mean they take a certificate or diploma program that takes only a few weeks or months to complete, or it might mean they choose to earn an associate degree, which can open doors to other positions in the future. Here are a few schools that demonstrate what’s out there for medical assistants in Wisconsin.
Medical Assistant Technical Diploma – Nicolet College
Nicolet College offers a hybrid medical assistant technical diploma to students who want to quickly enter the healthcare field. All the theory-based content is taught online, with on-campus labs available multiple times during the week to accommodate working students. Course examples include medical terminology, medical assistant admin procedures, lab and clinical procedures, applied communications writing, pharmacology for allied health, and medical office insurance and finance.
Duration: Two semesters and 32 credits
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $5,439
Admissions Requirements: Physical exam, caregiver background check, and specific health requirements, in addition to completing an admissions packet.
Curriculum: Students will engage in medical terminology, front office and back office procedures, billing, and coding, and hone their communication skills.There are no general education courses with this diploma.
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Medical Assistant Certificate Program – University of Wisconsin -Milwaukee
UW-Milwaukee’s School of Continuing Education states that its open-enrollment, on-demand medical assistant course has an “over-achieving curriculum” that will thoroughly train you on both routine patient care and clinical office procedures. Working alongside industry professionals with decades of real-world experience, students will have the opportunity to accrue 100 hours’ worth of experience in a clinical setting within their area (if possible). This will help them achieve the knowledge necessary to pass the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) test, along with earning Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) and Certified EKG Technician (CET) credentials if desired.
Duration: 2-4 months to complete
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $3,799
Admissions Requirements: Open enrollment requires registration and a high school diploma or GED.
Curriculum: Providing wound care, assisting with sutures and fractures, performing phlebotomy, obtaining vital signs, administering medications, assisting during procedures, labeling and processing specimens, and preparing patients for and performing EKGs.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program – University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
The certified clinical medical assistant program at UW-Whitewater is 100% online and can be started anytime throughout the year. It’s self-paced and will prepare you for the CCMA test through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Students have one year to complete the curriculum, which includes the necessary skills to function as a healthcare team member, including ethics, developing therapeutic communication, and protecting patient privacy. The program even includes a voucher that covers the certification costs.
It’s important to note that this program is not accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), so you will be ineligible to take the CMA certification exam. However, you can still qualify for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Duration: One year to complete
Mode: Online
Cost: $2,890 for the course
Admissions Requirements: No requirements, though those who want to sit for the exam must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Curriculum: Medical terminology related to the body’s various systems and CCMA topics such as pharmacology fundamentals, assisting with examinations, patient scheduling and record management, cardiology and diagnostic procedures, and medication administration procedures.
FAQs for Wisconsin Medical Assistant Students
There are so many questions a person could ask about becoming a medical assistant, and we know we didn’t cover all of them above. Whether you’re curious about training, job responsibilities, career prospects, or the admissions process see below to find answers to common queries about this vital healthcare role.
How do I become a medical assistant in Wisconsin?
You can technically work as a medical assistant in Wisconsin without being certified. However, many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants. If certification is your goal, you’ll need to complete an accredited medical assisting program or degree and pass the CCMA certification test offered through the NHA.
Can medical assistants give injections in Wisconsin?
It depends. Medical assistants in Wisconsin are required to know about venipuncture, calculating medication dosages, and administering oral or parenteral (not IV) medications. An injection could be considered a parenteral medication, so it could technically be delegated to a medical assistant if it follows the employer’s specific guidelines. MAs can also stack certifications to be able to perform more tasks which in turn can lead to a higher salary.
How much does a CMA make in Wisconsin?
Again, this depends on how long you’ve been working as a CMA and in what area you work. Those with less experience will earn a lower salary. However, the average annual wage for medical assistants in Wisconsin is $45,160. In comparison, the national average annual wage for medical assistants is $40,700 with the top ten percent of medical assistants earning $51,710 per year.
What can medical assistants do in Wisconsin?
According to Wisconsin’s scope of practice, medical assistants in the state can:
- Measure vital signs
- Perform electrocardiography
- Perform venipuncture
- Perform pulmonary function testing
- Calculate proper dosages of medication for administration
- Administer oral and parenteral (excluding IV) medication
- Obtain specimens and perform tests waived from national clinical lab standards
- Perform wound care
- Performing dressing changes
Medical assistants also likely perform office tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling patients, and updating records.
How long does it take to be a medical assistant in Wisconsin?
This depends on the program or degree you choose to pursue. One of the programs we highlighted above is self-paced, but students only have a year’s access to it, indicating that it can reasonably be completed in that time. Another program we highlighted requires 32 credits, which typically takes students 2-3 full-time semesters to complete.
What types of jobs are there for medical assistants in Wisconsin?
Medical assistants have diverse opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings. They perform everything from routine administrative tasks to assisting a doctor in minor surgery. If medical assistants choose to stack their certifications, they could be eligible for salary increases and broader choices in their profession. Several of their titles could include:
- Medical Assistant
- Claims Analyst
- Medical Records Clerk
- Medical Office Assistant
- Phlebotomist
- Pharmacy Aide
- Receptionist
- EKG Technician
- Laboratory Assistant
- Medical Office Manager
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Dialysis Technician
Professional Certifications and Continuing Education in Wisconsin
Wisconsin does not require medical assistants to be licensed or certified; however, those who earn certification might be seen more favorably by employers. Wisconsin doesn’t offer a state-based test, so graduates will need to take a national examination for their certification.
Just as there is no requirement for licensing or certification, there is also no requirement for continuing education. However, there are continuing education requirements to keep your national certification in force. Joining the Wisconsin State Society of Medical Assistants can help you figure out where to get those credits and exactly what else is needed to make you stand out from the pack when it’s time to find a job or move to a new one.
Salary & Future Career Opportunities for Medical Assistants in Wisconsin
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $42,000 | $56,480 |
| Wausau, WI | $37,350 | $45,830 | $49,510 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $37,520 | $45,830 | $52,260 |
| Racine, WI | $37,260 | $46,910 | $49,080 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $37,220 | $41,720 | $47,940 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | $38,340 | $47,490 | $54,830 |
| Madison, WI | $40,020 | $44,640 | $52,460 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $37,010 | $40,400 | $49,400 |
| Green Bay, WI | $37,290 | $45,900 | $50,120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $37,720 | $45,750 | $48,480 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $37,440 | $47,180 | $48,560 |
| Appleton, WI | $36,100 | $45,270 | $52,410 |
| Wisconsin | $37,490 | $46,320 | $52,160 |
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 ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 13,000 | 15,380 | 2,380 | 18.30% | 2,040 |
| 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.
