Medical Assistant Schools and Careers in West Virginia

West Virginia has long been known for its coal mining industry but is also home to charming rural towns and gorgeous scenery. Charleston, the state’s largest city, has a population of around 50,000, but the state still provides ample job opportunities for medical assistants. Students in West Virginia have their choice of many quality schools, most accredited. In addition, programs such as the West Virginia PROMISE scholarship and the West Virginia State Loan Repayment Program are in place to help students pay for their training.

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Employment Environment

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data, West Virginia is ranked among the upper-mid level for employment of medical assistants but is in the lowest level for salaries. This means that new medical assistants should have little trouble finding a position, but the better paying positions are likely to be more competitive. Since the average salary is just over $22,000 a year, it is vital that students take the Certified Medical Assistant examination after graduation. Having this certification will give you an edge over other applicants in landing the best positions.

The Future of Medical Assisting in West Virginia

The healthcare field is expected to grow across the country by as much as 30% over the next several years. This growth will create many new medical assistant positions and will likely lead to employers offering higher salaries and incentives to attract the most qualified candidates.

List of Medical Assistant Schools in West Virginia

Ross Medical Education Center

  • Program Link: Medical Assistant program
  • Description: Ross Medical Education Center has campuses in Charleston and Morgantown that offer medical assistant training during day, evening, or night classes. The program offers small class sizes and flexibility in scheduling that allows students to take classes at a time that is convenient for them. The medical assisting certificate program at Ross includes all of the clinical and administrative training students need as well as hands-on experience during an externship assignment. Students at Ross are supported every step of the way and can sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination after graduation.
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  • Programs: certificate
  • Average Program Length: 8 months
  • Tuition:  $15,690
  • Clinical Experience: Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: not available
  • Fun Fact: The first Ross opened in 1969 in Michigan.

Huntington Junior College

  • Program Link: Medical Assisting degree program
  • Description: Huntington Junior College was founded in 1936 and is located in Huntington. The school offers students an associate’s degree in medical assisting that prepares graduates to perform both clinical and administrative tasks in a variety of medical offices and healthcare facilities. Students at HJC enjoy modern, fully-stocked laboratories and facilities and benefit from a wide range of student services. After graduation, students are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination.
  • Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • Programs: associate’s degree
  • Average Program Length: 18 months
  • Tuition:  $13,600
  • Clinical Experience: Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: 75%
  • Fun Fact: Huntington Junior College allows students to enroll on campus or online.

National College

  • Program Link: Medical Assisting program
  • Description: Located in Princeton and Parkersburg, National College offers an associate’s degree in medical assisting. Students who attend National for medical assistant training benefit from small class sizes, hands-on experience, and excellent student support services. The medical assisting program at National provides students with both clinical and administrative training so they will be fully prepared to work as general medical assistants in a wide variety of doctors’ offices and other healthcare facilities.
  • Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • Programs:  associate’s degree
  • Average Program Length: 18 months
  • Tuition:  $30,432
  • Clinical Experience:  Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: 81%
  • Fun Fact: National College offers day and evening courses for student convenience.

New River Community and Technical College

  • Program Link: Medical Assistant certificate; Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
  • Description:  New River Community and Technical College has campuses in Beckley, Lewisburg, Ghent, Princeton, and Summersville. New River is the newest community college in the state and offers students modern, well-stocked classrooms and laboratories as well as a full complement of student support services. Students who choose the certificate or associate’s degree programs in medical assisting at New River will be prepared to work as general medical assistants, performing both clinical and administrative tasks in clinics, doctors’ offices, and other healthcare facilities. Since the program is CAAHEP accredited, graduates of New River are eligible to take the examination to become Certified Medical Assistants.
  • Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • Programs:  certificate; A.A.S.
  • Average Program Length: certificate – one year; degree – two years
  • Tuition: $1730/semester
  • Clinical Experience: Externship
  • Job Placement Rate: not available

West Virginia Northern Community College

  • Program Link: Medical Administrative Assistant certificate program; Associate of Applied Science in Clinical Medical Assisting
  • Description: WVNCC has campuses in Wheeling, Weirton, and New Martinsville for student convenience. West Virginia Northern Community College offers students the choice between a certificate in medical administrative assisting or an associate’s degree in clinical medical assisting. Students can complete the certificate in about a year and the degree in two years. Both programs provide students with all of the knowledge and skills needed to perform competently in their chosen area of medical assisting. In addition, the CAAHEP accreditation of the programs allows graduates to take credentialing examinations upon graduation.
  • Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • Programs:  certificate (administrative); A.A.S. (clinical)
  • Average Program Length: certificate – one year; degree – two years
  • Tuition:  certificate – $2,806; degree – $4,800
  • Clinical Experience:  certificate – none; degree – externship
  • Job Placement Rate: certificate – 52%; degree – not available
  • Fun Fact: WVNCC offers a new student orientation program to help students get started on the path to success.