Study At A Medical Assistant School in Arkansas, Pursue A Perfect Career For You
Have you been wondering about pursuing a career in medical assisting? If so, there are variety of programs available in Arkansas — including certificates, diplomas and degree programs.
Medical assistants, not to be confused with physician assistants, work in clinical or administrative settings or perform a variety of both. They:
- Schedule patients’ appointments
- Change bandages
- Use electronic health records (EHRs) software
- Record patients’ vitals
Before we get into education information for medical assistants in Arkansas, we thought you’d be interested to learn some general education information about the state.
Colleges in Arkansas
According to the 2018 National Center for Education Statistics:
- There are 33 public colleges in Arkansas
- 11 of those colleges are 4 year schools, while 22 are 2 year schools
- In 2018 there were 162,304 enrolled college students
- Total 2018 male fall enrollment is 66,555
- Total 2018 female fall enrollment is 95,749
Do I Need a Medical Assistant Certification in Arkansas?
Are you passionate about pursuing a career as a medical assistant? If so, you may want to look into earning your medical assisting certification or degree, since many employers tend to prefer employees who are certified. There are a variety of medical assisting programs in Arkansas to choose from within technical or vocational schools, colleges, universities, and even community colleges. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits five certifications for medical assistants.
How Much Do Medical Assistants in Arkansas Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 there were 3,850 medical assistants in Arkansas. These 3k plus pros represent .32% of the states job. The median wage for medical assistants in Arkansas is $30,020. With an hourly median pay of $14.43.
What are the top metro areas in Arkansas to work in?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the metro area that pays the most is Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway. The 2019 median salary for medical assistants in these other metro areas is as follows:
| Metro Area | Jobs | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 910 | $14.23 | $29,590 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 210 | $13.71 | $28,520 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 170 | $14.64 | $30,440 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 180 | $12.98 | $27,000 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 1,430 | $15.72 | $32,710 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 120 | $12.31 | $25,610 |
Where do medical assistants work?
Medical assistants usually work in physician’s offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They perform administrative and clinical tasks that involve working with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.
A few hospitals in Arkansas include:
- UAMS Medical Center
- Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock
- Washington Regional Medical Center
What Medical Assisting Professional Organizations are there in Arkansas?
If you are serious about medical assisting and are a recent graduate, then becoming part of a professional medical assistant organization may open the door to great opportunities for you. In the state of Arkansas, the Arkansas Society of Medical Assistants has information about continuing education, meetings, and networking for members. By visiting their website here, you can find out more details about this organization.
If you are thinking about pursuing a career in medical assisting in the state of Arkansas and are excited to learn more, then the list of schools below could help. Keep in mind that, although certification or a degree may not be mandatory to become a medical assistant, many employers may want to hire medical assistants who have their certification or degree.