Idaho has much to offer aspiring medical assistants. Boise is home to many high-tech industries and the state’s lakes and streams serve as tourist magnets, drawing thousands to the state each year. Because of these factors, Idaho provides a world of opportunity for medical assistants. Throughout the state, doctors’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities are in need of highly trained, skilled medical assistants. If you want to join this force of knowledgeable professionals, the first step is to get your training through a quality medical assisting school.
Employment Environment in Idaho
The current employment environment in Idaho is excellent. Facilities across the state already employee around 2,300 medical assistants and the demand for more is expected to keep growing in coming years. Medical assistants in the state make an average salary of around $14 an hour, which is higher than the average of most states. In addition, most medical assistants enjoy a full employment benefits package including insurance, retirement plan, sick and vacation leave, bonuses, and more.
Idaho’s Future of Medical Assisting
Medical assisting is a booming field in all states and Idaho is no exception. By the year 2016, this field is expected to grow as much as 34%, according to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the demand for these skilled professionals continues to grow, medical assistants will likely see a rise in pay and benefits as well as a broader range of excellent employment opportunities.
Idaho’s Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
Carrington College – Boise
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Carrington College offers medical assisting programs that result in either a certificate or an associate’s degree. The programs are broken into three parts: clinical, administrative, and externship. This ensures that students at Carrington are fully prepared to enter new careers as skilled medical assistants in a variety of healthcare environments. With over 30 years of experience in providing a quality education, Carrington has what you need.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: certificate; Associate’s degree
- Average Program Length: certificate – 42 weeks; degree – 72 weeks
- Tuition: $15,071
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 62%
- Fun Fact: Graduates of this program can take the Certified Medical Assistant or Registered Medical Assistant examinations.
North Idaho College
- Program Link: Medical Assistant certificate; Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
- Description: North Idaho College offers a medical assistant certificate and an associate of applied science in medical assisting. The program provides clinical and administrative training and offers an externship that provides students with real-world experience so they can enter their new career with skill and confidence. Even when earning an associate’s degree, students can be finished with training in as little as two years, allowing them to get to work quickly.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: certificate, A.A.S.
- Average Program Length: certificate – less than one year; A.A.S. – two years
- Tuition: $2,764 – $3,490
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 100%
- Fun Fact: Students at North Idaho may be able to qualify for scholarships through the school.
College of Southern Idaho
- Program Link: Medical Assistant certificate
- Description: The College of Southern Idaho has a medical assistant certificate program that qualifies students to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination. The program takes an average of 10 months to complete and includes clinical and administrative medical assistant classes as well as externship experience.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: 10 months
- Tuition: $4,180
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 90%
- Fun Fact: College of Southern Idaho offers a variety of student service to help students achieve success.
Lewis-Clark State College
- Program Link: Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
- Description: Lewis-Clark State College is located in Lewiston and offers an associate’s degree program in medical assisting that prepares students to become Certified Medical Assistants. After completion of this program, students are qualified to complete the administrative and clinical duties of a medical assistant with a variety of healthcare providers.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: A.A.S. in Medical Assisting
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $5,784/academic year
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 67%
- Fun Fact: Lewis-Clark is a full-service college that offers housing and meal plans for students who wish to live on campus.