Medical Assistant Programs in Nebraska
Medical assistant training in Nebraska begins with enrollment in a vocational training program or an associate degree program. Either will help you toward becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA). These courses are offered at various community colleges, junior colleges, and vocational training schools in the state, and online. You can earn a certification which takes about a year, or spend four semesters earning an associate degree. Once you have completed these or are near completion, you are eligible sign up for the certification exam.
Becoming certified is not legally required to work as a medical assistant in Nebraska or most states, but it is highly recommended. Not only would it provide you with necessary job training and give you a jumpstart on your career, but it would give you a competitive edge in the job market, particularly in more competitive, urban areas. Many healthcare employers are beginning to require certification from an accredited school. Accreditation is awarded to training programs by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are currently six accredited programs in the state, and you can check CAAHEP’s website for a current listing of accredited programs, or pursue online options. The certification exam can only be taken once you are finished with your training or near completion.. It is given by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Medical Assistant Training Programs in Nebraska
CMA training covers both the administrative and clinical side of medical assisting. Some CMAs work strictly on the administrative side, completing clerical tasks such as making appointments, billing, medical coding, and communicating with patients and insurance companies. Some CMAs work on the clinical side, working more with patients, assisting physicians, and completing basic procedures such as taking vital signs, taking blood, or assessing patients. Most CMAs will work on both sides, and need to be properly prepared to take on the many varied tasks involved in helping the office or clinic run well.
The outlook is excellent for your career once you are ready to work as a CMA. There are currently over 3,300 working medical assistants in Nebraska, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and this number is projected to grow. Medical assistants are the third fastest growing healthcare occupation, and the state government projects that another 1,200 medical assistant jobs will open in the state before 2014. According to Nebraska’s Department of Labor, the Omaha region is expected to have the most annual job openings (77) and the highest wages, but the mid-plains region is projected to have the highest growth rate of 48%.
According to BLS, the mean hourly wage is $13.18, and the mean annual salary is $27,420. This may be modest, but it will increase with experience, more training, or specialization. There are six different local chapters of AAMA in the Nebraska. These can be a great resource for you to keep up with developments in your field, network, or pursue more training. Find out which program is best for you to get started on your medical assistant training. In little more than a year, you can begin a secure career in healthcare.
Learn about the Medical Billing and Coding programs in Nebraska. This is another allied health career pathway with promising potential.
(Sources: AAMA, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Nebraska Dept of Labor, CAAHEP, Salary.com)
