Medical Assisting in North Carolina
Demand for medical assistants in North Carolina has grown over recent years with the expansion of healthcare services in the state. This need for all types of medical assistants is predicted to continue into the future. Although there are lots of jobs in the medical assisting field, medical assistants with a certification credential have the best chance to earn higher salaries and be employed in the best positions.
There are currently 14,810 medical assistants employed across North Carolina, working in doctors’ offices and other healthcare facilities.
Medical assistant pay in North Carolina is similar to the nationwide average, at $14.66 per hour or an annual salary of $30,500.
The state doesn’t outline the scope of practice for medical assistants. There is no requirement for medical assistants in North Carolina to be licensed, and the minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or GED, although in practice employers prefer to hire those who have graduated from a recognized certificate or degree program.
The active state society of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is the North Carolina Society of Medical Assistants. There are local chapters in:
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Ashe
- Buncombe
- Burke
- Cabarrus
- Catawba
- Central Carolina
- Charlotte
- Craven
- Forsyth-Stokes-Davie
- Gaston
- Greensboro
- Haywood
- High Point
- Iredell
- Lee-Moore
- Lenoir
- Lexington
- Mayland
- Nash
- Pitt
- Surry
- Union
- Wayne
- Wilkes
- Wilmington
North Carolina Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
ECPI University
ECPI University’s medical assisting degree program offers clinical and administrative training at its campuses in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh. The course involves hands on learning of theories and procedures in the classroom, as well as practical real world experience on an externship.
Degree
- Length: 17 months
- Cost: $25,880
- Job Placement Rate: 77%
Brookstone College
At its campuses in Charlotte and Greensboro, Brookstone College offers clinical and administrative medical assistant training on a diploma program, with the aim of preparing students for entry level medical assiting roles. As part of their training, students will be required to complete an externship, where they will gain real world experience. Once they graduate, they will be eligible to sit for the CMA exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant.
Diploma
- Length: 70 weeks
- Cost: $19,455
- Job Placement Rate: 72%
South Piedmont Community College
SPCC has several campuses in Union County and Anson County. Its medical assisting diploma program is CAAHEP accredited and provides students with the education required to pass the CMA exam and begin work in entry level medical assitant jobs.
Diploma
- Length: 16 weeks
- Cost: $1,618
- Job Placement Rate: Not available
