Medical Assisting in Colorado
It is not mandatory under state law for medical assistants in Colorado to be licensed or certified, although in practice many employers do prefer certification before offering someone a job as a medical assistant.
It is therefore sensible to complete your training on an accredited program so that you’ll be eligible to take the AAMA or AMT certification examination after graduation.
There are plenty of jobs for all types of medical assistants in Colorado, particularly in the Denver and Colorado Springs areas. There is predicted to be an increased need for healthcare services in the state over the next few years, so the medical assisting field is expected to expand and more job opportunities will be created.
For the state as a whole, the average annual pay for a medical assistant in Colorado is $33,330, or an hourly wage of $16.02. However, wages vary greatly according to location. The average salary rises to $35,790 ($17.21 per hour) in the Northwest Colorado non-metropolitan area, and is $27,920 yearly or $13.42 hourly in the Eastern and Southern Colorado non-metropolitan area.
The Colorado Society of Medical Assistants is the state society of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). It promotes job opportunities, provides news and organizes events for medical assistants. There are local chapters in:
- Metro Denver
- Northern Colorado
Colorado Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
Pima Medical Institute runs its medical assistant certificate training at its campuses in Denver, Aurora and Colorado Springs. The program can be completed in as little as 9 months and includes instruction in both clinical and administrative medical assisting tasks. Courses include office management, insurance and coding, examination techniques and surgical procedures. On completion of their coursework, students will have the opportunity to get practical experience on an externship placement.
Certificate
- Length: 35 weeks
- Cost: $11,734
- Job Placement Rate: Not available
Front Range Community College
At its Boulder County campus, Front Range Community College runs a CCAHEP accredited medical assistant certificate and AAS degree program. Students are eligible to sit for the AAMA or AMT nationally recognised exams to earn the title of either CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) or RMA (Registered Medical Assistant). The degree includes internship experience at a healthcare facility. Students can choose from 3 areas of concentration; Medical Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant, or Billing Specialist.
Certificate
- Length: 2-3 semesters
- Cost: $174.75 per credit hour
- Job Placement Rate: Not available
Degree
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $174.75 per credit hour
- Job Placement Rate: Not available
