Medical Assisting in Oklahoma
Oklahoma ranks in the middle range nationwide for the employment level of medical assistants. 7, 880 people work as all types of medical assistants across the state. This is the equivalent of 4.93 medical assisting jobs for every 1,000 jobs in Oklahoma. With the number of hospitals, doctors’ offices and other healthcare facilities expected to increase, so is the need for trained medical assistant staff.
There is no state law in Oklahoma regarding the scope of responsibilities for medical assistants. The minimum education needed to work as a medical assistant in the state is a high school diploma or GED, but most employers prefer to hire graduates who have completed a postsecondary training program to certificate or degree level. There is no state requirement for medical assistants to become certified after completing their education, but earning this credential will enhance your resume and increase the odds of you being hired for a good position. To be eligible to sit for a certification exam, you must have completed your training on a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program.
Medical assistants in Oklahoma earn slightly less than the national average wage for this profession, but the cost of living in this state is lower than average too. The mean hourly rate of pay is $13.83, which is an annual salary of $28,770.
The Oklahoma Medical Assistant Society is the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) affiliated state society and is active, although there are no local chapters.
Oklahoma Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
Moore Norman Technology Center
At its Norman campus, MNTC runs a medical assisting certificate program that covers all aspects of administrative and clinical medical assistant duties. Students will be taught the necessary theories and skills needed to work as a medical assistant, including how to perform lab procedures and medical office procedures. This program is CAAHEP accredited and include a 165 hour externship placement that helps prepare students with real world experience.
Certificate
- Length: 41 weeks
- Cost: $2,074
- Job Placement Rate: Not available
Virginia College
At its campus in Tulsa, Virginia College offers students the chance of completing their medical assistant training in less than a year on a 48 credit hour certificate program. Students will be instructed in the multiple administrative and clinical skills needed to work in medical assisting and will be able to gain externship experience in a real world setting.
Certificate
- Length: 44 weeks
- Cost: $18,676
- Job Placement Rate: 67%
