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Medical Assisting in Virginia

There are plenty of job openings for medical assistants in Virginia. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 11,230 people employed as medical assistants across Virginia. As the demand on healthcare services rises over the coming years, the need for all types of medical assistants is set to increase too.

There is no state law requiring medical assistants to be licensed to work in Virginia. There is also no official scope of practice under Virginia state law defining the clinical duties medical assistants are authorized to perform and the responsibility for delegating tasks to medical assistants lies with physicians.

The state does not have specific educational requirements for those working in the general, clinical or clerical medical assistant field. However, to maximize your earning potential and career advancement prospects, it is a good idea to get post-secondary training on an accredited diploma, certificate or degree program and to consider earning a certification credential after completing your training.

Pay for medical assistants in Virginia is on average $15.15 an hour. The average yearly salary is $31,510.

The Virginia Society of Medical Assistants (VSMA) offers a professional support network to its members in the state and is the state branch of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). There are no local AAMA chapters in Virginia.

Virginia Medical Assistant Schools and Programs

American National University

American National University has several campuses in Virginia where students can get their training on a CAAHEP accredited medical assistant degree program; Charlottesville, Danville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Northern Virginia and Roanoke Valley. Coursework involves hands on training and completing an externship is a compulsory part of this program. Upon successfully completing this program, graduates will be eligible to take the CMA or RMA exams, to earn the nationally recognized title of Certified Medical Assistant or Registered Medical Assistant.

Degree

  • Length: 19 months
  • Cost: $31,052
  • Job Placement Rate: 84.3%

Centura College

Centura College offers an Associate of Occupational Science in Medical Assisting degree program at several Virginia campuses. Students can study for this degree with a clinical concentration at campuses in Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk, North Chesterfield and Virginia Beach. Those preferring a management concentration can attend Chesapeake, North Chesterfield and Virginia Beach. On completion of their traing and prior to graduating, students can take the American Medical Tech (AMT) exam to earn the title of Registered Medical Assistant (RMA).

Degree

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