Best Online & Campus Medical Assistant Programs in Wisconsin
Online medical assistant programs are a quick way to enter the medical field. This guide will teach you about these programs, salary expectations and resources for MAs.
Within the large and growing healthcare industry in Wisconsin and throughout the United States, medical assistants play a key role in keeping facilities running smoothly. They often stay in the background, never taking the spotlight as they perform general patient care, prep for procedures, assist doctors, and handle routine administrative tasks.
Because of this, medical assistants work in every kind of healthcare facility in Wisconsin, from hospitals to outpatient clinics. This provides them with many opportunities for specialization, meaningful service, and a higher salary.
Earning a medical assistant certificate in Wisconsin is a relatively quick way to get started in the healthcare industry. Most programs take a year or less to complete and often incorporate online components, providing flexibility for working people. Many professionals start as medical assistants, using it as a springboard into nursing or to help them get into medical school. However, others may decide to stay as MAs because of work flexibility, diversity of tasks, stability, and growth potential.
Whatever your reasoning, this guide will help you take the first step in becoming a medical assistant — finding and completing a high-quality, affordable program. Read on to get started.
In-Depth Look at Medical Assistant Programs in WI
As you start your search for a medical assistant program or degree, remember that there’s more to consider than tuition, such as the length of the program and the delivery format. Below, we’ll highlight several medical assistant programs and their differences to help you decide what you want in a program.
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 days and 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.
The program comprises 32 semester credits over two semesters with a total tuition of $5,439, and with book and supply costs adding up to $380. The program is eligible for financial aid.
Admission requirements include an acceptable caregiver background check, a physical exam, and specific health requirements (including immunization). The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
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. Industry professionals with decades of real-world experience developed the course.
Students have the opportunity to accrue 100 hours worth of experience working in a clinical setting within their own 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. The online portion of the course covers topics such as 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. The course costs $3,799 and includes 58.3 continuing education units (CEUs).
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 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. The course also aims to help students learn the necessary skills to function as a healthcare team member, including ethics, developing therapeutic communication, and protecting patient privacy
- The course costs $2,890 but there are frequent discounts. It also includes a voucher that covers the certification costs. There are no requirements to take the course, but students wishing to sit for the certification exam must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Medical Assistant Salary in Wisconsin
According to the data below, Wisconsin’s medical assistants who are paid near the bottom of the scale (10th percentile) earn more than the national average. Since new medical assistants tend to have lower salaries than seasoned ones, this may indicate that Wisconsin is a great place for assistants who are just starting out or only a few years into their careers.
However, at the top of the pay scale, the United States overall pays seasoned and specialized medical assistants more than Wisconsin does, indicating that more experienced medical assistants may find a higher salary in a different state.
Within Wisconsin, those at or below the 10th percentile will earn the least in Appleton and the most in Madison. Those with a few years of experience who are closer to earning mean wages in WI will earn the most pay in the Milwaukee area and the least in the Oshkosh-Neenah. The Milwaukee area also pays the highest wage to MAs in the 90th percentile, indicating that seasoned workers will likely earn more in Milwaukee than anywhere else in the state, while the Oshkosh-Neenah area pays the least to 90th percentile workers.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $43,350 | $56,480 |
| Wisconsin | $37,490 | $45,160 | $52,160 |
| Appleton, WI | $36,100 | $44,540 | $52,410 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $37,440 | $44,880 | $48,560 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $37,720 | $43,820 | $48,480 |
| Green Bay, WI | $37,290 | $44,720 | $50,120 |
| Janesville, WI | $37,010 | $43,500 | $49,400 |
| Madison, WI | $40,020 | $45,820 | $52,460 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $38,340 | $46,410 | $54,830 |
| Oshkosh, WI | $37,220 | $42,970 | $47,940 |
| Racine, WI | $37,260 | $44,350 | $49,080 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $37,520 | $44,340 | $52,260 |
| Wausau, WI | $37,350 | $44,460 | $49,510 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
Employment Outlook for Medical Assistants in Wisconsin
If you look at the table below, you’ll see there’s excellent growth potential for the medical assistant profession in Wisconsin (12%), but it’s not quite as high as the projected national growth rate (18%). However, any field with projected growth that’s higher than the national average (5%) indicates stability and opportunity for growth.
This, coupled with the short time it takes to earn a medical assistant degree, makes it a great opportunity for someone looking to get into the healthcare field while still earning enough to cover the average cost of living for two people.
| Area | New Jobs | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 132,600 | 18.4% | 104,400 |
| Wisconsin | 1,640 | 12.3% | 1,810 |
Source: Projections Central, 2020 – 2030
Wisconsin Medical Assistant Programs: FAQs and Answers
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, or career prospects, 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?
The answer is, “It depends.” Medical assistants in Wisconsin can be delegated work related to their education and known proficiencies within their program or degree. Related required skills include 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. For example, $37,490 is the average yearly salary of MAs in the lowest 10th percentile of the Wisconsin pay scale. The chart above shows low, average, and high salaries in cities across Wisconsin.
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 greater choices in 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
Resources and Support for Medical Assistant Students in Wisconsin
The following online resource list will help medical assistant students in Wisconsin succeed both during their program and as professionals after graduation. Below, you’ll find professional associations, journals, casual YouTube channels, and scholarship opportunities that can expand your understanding and fuel your potential for success.
- Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
This is the largest and most highly regarded health science program accreditor in the nation. The CAAHEP regularly audits the 2100 programs it accredits across 30 unique health professions, including medical assistant, to ensure quality. Students can check the online website for programs that are accredited in Wisconsin. - American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
The AAMA provides aspiring and current medical assistants with information, education, and training through articles and CEU credit opportunities. The optional membership provides members with discounts on CMA exams, access to CMA Today magazine, and many networking and volunteer opportunities. - American Medical Technologists (AMT)
This association offers five scholarships a year that are valued at $500 each. To qualify, you must attend a program or degree (on-campus or online) that leads to an AMT-certifiable profession (such as a qualified medical assistant program), and you must also be able to demonstrate financial need. - American Registry of Medical Assistants (ARMA)
The ARMA provides pre-qualification for aspiring registered medical assistants, employer verifications through its huge database, CEUS, and MA re-registration if it has lapsed. The group is registered as a federal non-profit organization. - CareerOneStop
On the CareerOneStop website, students can search through more than 9,500 scholarships, fellowships, and grants using keywords such as medical assistant, allied health, or healthcare. You might also find general scholarships for people in your city or throughout Wisconsin who wish to advance their education. - JAMA Network
The Journal of the American Medical Association is among the most revered sources for white papers, research, and news related to numerous medical professions. Here, you can find interesting facts and stories about the latest findings in global medicine through podcasts, videos, and journals. - Medical Assisting with Miss K.
This YouTube channel is from a medical assistant who has been in the field for 16 years. She answers many questions about MAs and helps students understand what the field is really like and how to succeed. Topics include exam prep and stacking credentials, and there are how-to videos for various procedures that medical assistants perform. - National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
This association offers the CCMA credential via its exam and provides a wealth of resources for current and aspiring medical assistants. These include job boards, webinars, blog articles, and certification verification. Other certifications MAs may aspire to earn through the NHA include Certified Phlebotomy Technician, Certified Medical Administrative Assistant, Certified EKG Technician, and Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist. - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS provides access to the latest salary information related to medical assistants at the national, state, and local levels. You can also learn about your overall job outlook and the typical work environment you’d experience, all based on data collected by the BLS. - Wisconsin Society of Medical Assistants (WSMA)
Medical assistants in Wisconsin can access member resources, scholarship information, certification guidelines, and local volunteer opportunities. The society also hosts state-wide conferences and symposiums, and offers free CEU opportunities.
