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Medical Assisting in Maryland

There is no state requirement in Maryland for general, administrative or clinical medical assistants to be licensed, but gaining a certification credential such as CMA or RMA can increase your chances of landing the best job and earning a better salary. Medical assistants are required to have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.

There are some good medical assistant employment opportunities in Maryland, particularly in urban areas. There are currently 10,610 people working in the medical assisting field in Maryland, and positions are set to increase over the next few years as pressure on healthcare facilities grows. Pay for medical assistants in Maryland is high for this part of the country, at $16.40 an hour or $34,120 yearly, on average.

There are regulations in Maryland that clarify the scope of practice for medical assistants in the state and outline what duties they can and cannot perform.

The Maryland Society of Medical Assistants (MSMA) is the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) affiliated professional body for the state and is a useful source of information on job opportunities. There are two local AAMA chapters in the state:

  • Chesapeake Bay
  • Northeast

Maryland Medical Assistant Schools and Programs

Fortis College

Fortis runs a diploma program at its Landover, Woodlawn and Towson campuses where students can complete their medical assistant training in under a year. Students will receive training in both medical office administration skills and clinical procedures to enable them to develop the competencies required to work as an entry level medical assistant.

Diploma

  • Length: 36 weeks
  • Cost: $14,272
  • Job Placement Rate: 73%

Cecil College

Cecil College provides a certificate in medical assisting program. This program is CAAHEP accredited and prepares students to take the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) exam upon graduation. Students will attend daytime classes on a full time basis. They will learn the skills needed to work as a medical assistant in a doctor’s office or clinic, such as appointment scheduling, drawing blood, doing EKGs, and using electronic health records. Courses include medical laboratory procedures, clinical office procedures, and customer service in healthcare. On completiion of their coursework, students will be required to undertake clinical externship experience.

Certificate

  • Length: 1 year
  • Cost: $7,696
  • Job Placement Rate: 90%

Harford Community College

Harford Community College, located near Bel Air, offers medical assistant training on an Associate of Arts degree program. Students will receive the training necessary to begin a career in medical assisting on completion of their education. Upon graduation, graduates will be eligible to take either the AAMA exam to become a CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) or the ABHES exam to become a RMA (Registered Medical Assistant).

Degree

  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $4,805
  • Job Placement Rate: Not available

Allegany College of Maryland

Allegany College offers a flexible schedule of day, evening and online classes for its CAAHEP accredited medical assisting degree program. This program provides students with the skills needed to perform both administrative and clinical responsibilities of medical assisting. Students must complete courses in a wide range of subject areas, such as coding and insurance processing, lab techniques, phlebotomy, medication administration and EKG testing. In addition to attending classes, students are expected to complete 210 hours of externship experience in real world healthcare facilities.

Degree

  • Length: 2  years
  • Cost: Not available
  • Job Placement Rate: Not available