Medical Assistant Jobs and Programs in Missouri – Schools, Salary, and License Info

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Missouri

Medical Assisting is slightly developed in the US.

And nothing satisfies people more than grading them.

But grading should be deserved.

In Missouri, a B+grade has been given from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center in regards to medical assisting.

This grade, of course, was not purposeless.

The projected job increase in jobs in the period from 2012 to 2020 was a good reason to rely on it.

In 2012, for instance, 9,449 medical assistants were already in work relations in the state.

Which is a good number, to begin with.

Eventually, by 2022, this number is expected to grow into 10,985.

Which makes up a 16.26% growth in the field.

Not bad, right?

That’s a promising statistic in regards to the jobs in medical assisting.

But that’s not all as far as this article is concerned.

Frankly speaking, medical assistants are not licensed in Missouri.

But employers have a habit of choosing candidates with a specific level of training and education.

However, both qualifications are attainable.

Especially when considering the following three steps:

• Complete a Formal Education/ Training Program in Medical Assisting
• Consider Earning a National Credential in Medical Assisting
• Find a Job in Medical Assisting in Missouri

Step 1. Complete a Formal Education/Training Program in Medical Assisting

Formal education is the key to excellence in each profession.

Especially in Medical assisting when the issue is directly related to patient care and well-being.

So, when searching for such a program in Missouri, as a candidate, you should try to attend a program that receives accreditation from two major accrediting organizations that operate in the state.

One of them is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

While the second is the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

The programs from both these accrediting bodies are recognized by national certification.

And they also prepare you with the coursework and training, which will help you become a skillful and capable entry-level medical assistant.

The accredited programs mainly end with a clinical externship experience.

This experience allows you to use your gained skills and knowledge in general in the clinical setting.

You can do so practically, in the physician’s office, hospital or ambulatory care center.

The coursework in an accredited program includes both administrative and clinical studies.

Just a few of the typical courses in a medical assisting program include:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Record keeping
• Medical terminology
• Coding and insurance processing
• Pharmacology
• Clinical and diagnostic procedures
• First aid
• Office practices
• Medical law and ethics

Just to let you know, there are 3 programs accredited by CAAHP.

And 7 programs accredited by ABHES in Missouri.

Step 2. Consider Earning a National Credential in Medical Assisting

Pursuing a national credential comes right after being done with a program in medical assisting.

This certification is voluntary, but its worth is indeed priceless.

The reason for that lies in the fact that the majority of physicians and employers have made it a requirement upon hiring.

Apart from that, some liability insurance companies are asking that physicians employ only those medical assistants who have been certified nationally.

This comes as a result of curtail lawsuits in the state of Missouri.

National certification, however, can be different from the organization that recognizes it to the other.

But fortunately, they all do recognize a medical assisting program.

So, once you’re done with the program, you can freely head towards one of these for a certification:

• National Center for Competency Testing: The National Certified Medical Assistant
• National Healthcare Association: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
• The American Association of Medical Assistants: Certified Medical Assistant credential
• The American Medical Technologists: Registered Medical Assistant Credential
• The American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants: Podiatric medical Assistant, Certified
• The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel In Ophthalmology: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

Step 3. Find a Job in Medical Assisting in Missouri

Finding a job can be stressful.

But when you know where to look, it’s easy.

Hence, medical assisting jobs in Missouri can be found in medical groups, physicians’ offices as well as hospital systems.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development so far made a summary of the real-time labor market summary. It analyzed the healthcare industry.

According to it, medical assistants had the greatest number of job openings compared to all healthcare positions in Missouri.

This statistic was taken in June of 2014.

There were in total of 570 jobs available for medical assistants.

The summary also ranked the top healthcare employers in the State:

• BJC Healthcare
• Hospital Corporation of America
• Kindred Healthcare Incorporated
• Mercy Health
• Saint Luke’s Health System

The Best Medical Assisting Schools in Missouri

If you take a look at the number of medical assisting schools in the state, you will be amazed.

There are in total 30 schools in which you can explore your opportunities to study.

However, I suggest you check for accredited programs in the first place.

And then choose one of them wisely.

Medical Assisting Salaries in Missouri

Medical Assisting salaries have their own elements that impact them.

Sometimes it’s the place.

Other times it is work experience, skills, and education.

The latter is, in fact, the major factor to determine a salary in the field.

So, what I would encourage a candidate is to do his or her best in education.

Then the good salary will follow.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Missouri

Medical Assisting by State