MEDICAL ASSISTANT SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA, NEW FOR 2021

Study At A Medical Assistant School in Virginia, Pursue A Perfect Career For You

If you’re interested in learning more about medical assistant schools in Virginia, you’ve come to the right place. There are a variety of different certificates, diplomas or degree programs to choose from in this state.

If you want to pursue a career as a medical assistant after you graduate, you may want to keep in mind that the ability to be:

  • Analytical
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Detail- oriented
  • Technical know-how with basic clinical instruments

may be valuable to this particular job. Before we get into education information for medical assistants in Virginia, we thought you’d be interested to learn some general education information about the state.

Colleges in Virginia

According to the 2018 National Center for Education Statistics:

  • There are 41 public colleges in Virginia
  • 17 of those colleges are 4 year schools, while 24 are 2 year schools
  • In 2018 there were 554,920 enrolled college students
  • Total 2018 male fall enrollment is 238,077
  • Total 2018 female fall enrollment is 316,843
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Top 10 Schools With Medical Assisting Programs in Virginia

The medical assistant schools in Virginia below are ranked according to total number of graduates reported by NCES in the 2018 school year. Salary information is provided by College Scorecard.

1

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, VA

ECPI University offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Science-Medical Assisting. It’s goal is to help you learn how to perform clinical and administrative functions in a physician‘s office or other medical setting. The course of study features lectures and theory, hands-on laboratory experiences and an externship in a local area medical facility. Medical Assisting graduates are CPR certified.

Programs Offered
Total Grads in 2018
2020 Tuition & Fees
Salary After Graduating
Certificate
Associate
566
$16,639
N/A (Cert)
$27,344 (AAS)
2

American National University

Salem, VA

American National University offers a Medical Assisting Certificate. It instructs in administrative and clinical areas. The practical and broad course of study may include anatomy, physiology and pharmacology. Some of the things you could learn are how to give injections, perform EKGs, and draw blood. You could also expect a high degree of hands-on learning, including labs and a comprehensive externship course. Once you complete the program you may be qualified to sit for the RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) exam, administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

Programs Offered
Total Grads in 2018
2020 Tuition & Fees
Salary After Graduating
Certificate
161
$10,772
$19,866 (Cert)
$23,386 (AAS)
3

Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, VA

The Medical Assisting associate degree (AAS) program at Bryant & Stratton College is entry level. Some of the areas you could learn about are vital signs, microscopy, and vision testing. You could also expect to learn in the classroom and the laboratory including practice time with industry software.

Programs Offered
Total Grads in 2018
2020 Tuition & Fees
Salary After Graduating
Associate
66
$17,746
$26,643
4

Fortis College-Norfolk

Norfolk, VA

Fortis College offers a Medical Assisting program with extra courses in X-Ray procedures. The X-ray training includes use of screen/film and digital image systems as well as radiation safety measures. You could also expect to learn front desk and medical assisting skills. Such as taking vital signs, EKG readings and ways to keep electronic health records in order.

Programs Offered
Total Grads in 2018
2020 Tuition & Fees
Salary After Graduating
Associate
Certificate
53
$15,977
$20,586 (Cert)
N/A (AAS)
5

Fortis College-Richmond

Richmond, VA

Fortis College offers a Medical Assistant program. It aims to provide you with knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment as an MA in a medical office or clinic. So you could expect to leave with skills in office administration, computer, and clinical areas.

Programs Offered
Total Grads in 2018
2020 Tuition & Fees
Salary After Graduating
Associate
Certificate
44
$13,557
$20,586 (Cert)
N/A (AAS)
6

Stratford University

Fairfax, VA

Stratford University offers a Diploma in Medical Assisting that features both clinical and clerical courses. The course of study includes both hands on practice and theory. You could expect to learn how to process insurance claims. And assist with patient care in a basic way. This includes taking vital signs, collecting specimens for the lab and venipuncture.

Programs Offered
Total Grads in 2018
2020 Tuition & Fees
Salary After Graduating
Associate
20
$15,135
$25,658
7

Eastern Virginia Career College

Fredericksburg, VA

The Medical Assistant program at Eastern Virginia Career College aims to ready graduates to go for entry level roles. As a student, you could learn patient charting, how to take vital signs and more. And as a graduate, you could meet the training requirements to test for national certification with National HealthCareer Association (NHA).

Programs Offered
Total Grads in 2018
2020 Tuition & Fees
Salary After Graduating
Certificate
Associate
15
$29,479
$22,290 (Cert)
$49,058 (AAS)
8

Chester Career College

Chester, VA

Chester Career College awards an Associate of Applied Science degree in medical assisting. You could expect the course of study to cover clinical areas as well as administrative ones. To gain practical experience, the program also features externships. Once you graduate, you may be eligible to take the Medical Assistant Certification Examination and earn the credentials of Certified Medical Assistant.

Programs Offered
Total Grads in 2018
2020 Tuition & Fees
Salary After Graduating
Certificate
Associate
11
$31,625
N/A (Cert)
$20,824 (AAS)
9

Eastern Shore Community College

Melfa, VA

Eastern Shore Community College offers an entry level Medical Assisting Certificate. The program takes about 20 new students per year. If accepted, you rotate through an internship. Clinical partners for medical assistants may include nursing homes, rehabilitation, the hospital, physician’s offices and other allied health agencies. Once you complete the program, you could be eligible to take the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) for certification as a Medical Assistant (NCMA).

Programs Offered
Total Grads in 2018
2020 Tuition & Fees
Salary After Graduating
Certificate
8
$10,803
N/A
10

CET-Alexandria

Alexandria, VA

The Medical Assisting program at CET is hands on. You could expect to grow entry level administrative and clinical skills. Like taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, drawing blood, scheduling, and preparing patients for examination. Many students complete their program in 6 to 9 months.

Programs Offered
Total Grads in 2018
2020 Tuition & Fees
Salary After Graduating
Certificate
3
$12,736
$24,098

Do I Need a Medical Assistant Certification in Virginia?

While medical assistants are not required to be certified, many employers may prefer to hire someone who has earned a certification or degree in medical assisting. It is typical for medical assistants to pursue graduation from postsecondary education programs, and medical assisting programs in Virginia are available from community colleges, vocational schools, technical schools, and universities. These programs usually lead to a certificate or diploma.The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits five certifications for medical assistants.

How Much Do Medical Assistants in Virginia Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 there were 14,860 medical assistants in Virginia. These 14k plus pros represent .38% of the states job. The median wage for medical assistants in Virginia is $35,070. With an hourly median pay of $16.86.

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 Virginia:

  • University of Virginia Medical Center
  • VCU Medical Center
  • Centra Lynchburg General Hospital
  • Inova Fairfax Hospital
  • Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital

What are the top metro areas in Virginia to work in?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the metro area that pays the most is Charlottesville. The 2019 median salary for medical assistants in these other metro areas is as follows:

Metro AreaJobsMedian Hourly WageMedian Annual Wage
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA180$14.40$29,950
Charlottesville, VA590$15.67$32,600
Harrisonburg, VA270$15.54$32,320
Lynchburg, VA550$15.44$32,120
Richmond, VA2,480$16.28$33,860
Roanoke, VA860$14.81$30,810
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC2,980$15.87$33,010
Winchester, VA-WV400$14.3$29,740

What Medical Assisting Professional Organizations are there in Virginia?

Joining a professional medical assistant organization in Virginia can be a great way for you to keep up on industry trends and meet new contacts after you graduate. The Virginia State Society of Medical Assistants website has information about events, chapter news and other medical assisting resources.

If you think that pursuing a career in medical assisting is the right path for you, check out the list of medical assisting schools in Virginia to see some great options!  Although a medical assisting degree or certification may not be required, it’s always good to consider that the more relevant education and training you have, the more impressive your resume may look to potential employers after you graduate.