Medical assisting in Arizona is governed by the Arizona Medical Board. The board’s guidelines do not require medical assistants to be licensed or certified, but anyone working in this profession must complete a training program that is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), or any accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. Alternatively, medical assistants can complete a program offered and designed by a licensed allopathic physician as long as the program meets the requirements of accredited programs and verifies competencies of medical assistants.
These requirements do not apply to everyone, however. Under AMB guidelines, there are three conditions under which this educational requirement is waived. The educational requirement does not apply if an individual completed an unapproved training program before February 2000 and has been employed as a medical assistant since that date, if he or she has worked for the same healthcare provider for at least 2000 hours before February 2000, or if he or she has completed a medical services training program of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Arizona’s and Medical Assisting – Employment Environment
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona is one of the states with the highest rates of medical assistant employment. Professionals who choose this field in Arizona enjoy an average salary of $31,410 a year, plus employment benefits. Since this state requires medical assistants to complete an approved training course, there is a good demand for candidates who are qualified.
The Future of Medical Assisting in Arizona
Arizona provides a bright future for medical assistants, with a predicted 1,000 new jobs opening each year, especially in the southwest region of the state. As the demand for qualified medical assistants continues to grow, the average $15 per hour wage will likely increase as well. In short, Arizona provides one of the best environments for candidates hoping to enter the field of medical assisting.
Arizona’s Medical Assisting Schools and Programs
Everest College – Phoenix
- Program Link: Medical Assistant Diploma
- Description: Everest College Phoenix offers its medical assistant diploma program at both the Phoenix and Mesa campuses. Everest promises a full hands-on training program that prepares candidates to competently complete the clinical and administrative tasks of the profession.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: 8 months
- Tuition: $14,625
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 66%
- Fun Fact: Everest helps students find and apply for financial aid and offers job placement upon graduation.
Arizona College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting diploma; Medical Assisting Associate Degree
- Description: With campuses in Glendale and Mesa, Arizona College is conveniently located for many students. The medical assisting programs at Arizona College use knowledgeable teachers and state-of-the-art facilities to prepare students to meet the many demands of the profession. Upon completion of either Arizona College medical assistant program, students are prepared to become Certified Medical Assistants or Registered Medical Assistants.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: diploma; A.S. in Medical Assisting
- Average Program Length: diploma – 30 weeks; A.S. – 60 weeks
- Tuition: diploma – $14,935; A.S. – $27,025
- Clinical Experience: 5-week externship
- Job Placement Rate: diploma – 71%; A.S. – 70%
- Fun Fact: Arizona College is partnered with many healthcare facilities in the metropolitan Phoenix area.
Central Arizona College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting certificate; Associate of Applied Science
- Description: Central Arizona College offers students a choice of earning a certificate or Associate’s degree in medical assisting. Students who take the certificate path are qualified to become Registered Medical Assistants, while those taking the degree path are qualified to become Certified Medical Assistants. Central Arizona College expects all graduates to sit for the AAMA exam after graduation and prides itself on producing highly skilled medical assistants.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: certificate; A.A.S
- Average Program Length: certificate – 37 semester hours; A.A.S – 66 semester hours
- Tuition: $77 per credit hour
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 72%
- Fun Fact: Central Arizona College ranks high in all aspects of student satisfaction.
Pima Community College
- Program Link: Medical Assistant certificate
- Description: Located in Tucson, Pima College offers small classes, affordable tuition, and a high quality of education to medical assistant students. Students at this school also enjoy the convenience of being able to take classes at over 100 locations around Pima County. The school offers exceptional support including financial aid, scholarships, personal and career counseling, and much more. This school also helps establish professional connections through hundreds of industry partnerships.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: 18 credit hours
- Tuition: $2,349 (books included)
- Clinical Experience: externship
- Job Placement Rate: 72%
- Fun Fact: Medical Assistant students at Pima can choose to earn additional certificates in areas such as Health Information Technology or Practical Nursing.
Brookline College
- Program Link: Medical Assistant diploma
- Description: Brookline has campuses in Albuquerque, Phoenix, Tempe, and Tucson for ease of access to the state’s residents. The medical assistant diploma program provides the training you need for both the clinical and administrative aspects of the job as well as labs that are fully-stocked with the same equipment and materials that you will find on the job. Upon graduation, Brookline assists students with every step of the application and interview process so they can land the right job quickly.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: 32 weeks (day); 39 weeks (evening)
- Tuition: $14,500
- Clinical Experience: externship
- Job Placement Rate: 72%
- Fun Fact: For added convenience, students can take classes during the day or evening.