Medical Assistant Programs Online in Colorado: Reviewing Schools
Breaking down everything you need to know about online medical assistant programs in Colorado — from top programs, earning potential, FAQs, and more. Read about the skills you need as a medical assistant, what you can expect from the job market, and which certifications you need to succeed.
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Inside Online Medical Assistant Programs in Colorado
If you’re interested in healthcare and ready for a new career, training to be a medical assistant is a great place to start. Working as a certified medical assistant (CMA) helps you develop valuable clinical and administrative skills you can apply in a range of healthcare settings, including hospitals and private clinics. You’ll also be prepared to continue your education and pursue jobs in leadership, nursing, or related fields.
In this guide we look at some of the top medical assistant programs in Colorado, consider your employment outlook, answer some frequently asked questions, and offer useful resources for further research. We also focus on online learning and how it works with medical assisting.
Colorado Mountain College — AAS and Certificate
The Medical Assistant Program at Colorado Mountain College (CMC) offers multiple tracks for students looking to earn their medical assistant credential. You can complete their medical assistant certificate program in as few as 14 months.
If you want to deepen your knowledge or plan to continue your education, you may be interested in CMC’s two-year medical assistant associate degree. Both programs feature a well-rounded curriculum and expert instruction, as well as hands-on training.
CMC uses a hybrid model that includes online classes, in-person labs at their Rifle, CO, campus, and an externship for real-world training. This mix of modalities means flexibility for busy students and valuable hands-on learning opportunities.
The curriculum for both tracks includes a full semester of national exam prep to ensure that you are ready to pass your CMA exam.
Duration: 14 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $208/credit-hour (in-state tuition)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school degree or GED
- Proof of physical health exam
- CPR certification
Curriculum:
- English Composition I
- Mathematics
- General Psychology I (GT-SS3)
- Interpersonal Communication (GT-SS3)
- Basic Anatomy & Physiology
- Law & Ethics for Health Professionals
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Office Financial Management
- Introduction to Clinical Skills
- Medical Assisting Laboratory
- Medical Assisting Clinical Skills
- Pharmacology for Medical Assistants
- Medical Assistant Internship
- Review for Medical Assistant National Exam
Best for: Students who want an in-depth, yet flexible medical assistant program.
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Pima Medical Institute — Certificate
The hybrid Medical Assistant Certificate Program at Pima Medical Institute (PMI) combines the flexibility of online learning with the opportunity to develop essential skills at their Aurora, Denver, or Colorado Springs campuses. Along with hands-on learning on campus, PMI gives you the option to complete an externship in a local clinic to gain real-world experience and build your resume.
PMI prepares students for advanced coursework with foundational classes in study skills, computer literacy, and math fundamentals, offered early in the curriculum. Then, you’ll move beyond the basics in this four-semester program with courses in medical administration, clinical care, lab testing, and more.
You’ll participate in a progressive clinical applications course each semester, so you can put your new knowledge to work right away.
Duration: 9 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $89/credit (in-state tuition)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Must pass entrance exam with minimum score
- Interview
Curriculum:
- Medical Office Management
- Insurance, Billing, and Coding Fundamentals
- Professional Documentation
- Sequence I Administrative Applications
- Physical Examination Techniques
- Clinical Aspects of Billing and Coding
- Surgical Procedures
- Sequence II Clinical Applications
- Introduction to Pharmacology
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Medical Office Laboratory Procedures
- Sequence III Clinical Applications
- Phlebotomy and Blood Specimens
- Medical Specialty Procedures
- Medical Office Communication
- Sequence IV Clinical Applications
Best for: Students that are looking for a fast-track program.
The National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement — Certificate
Colorado is home to The National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA), an entire school dedicated to preparing future medical assistants to earn their CMA and excel in their future careers. The program features knowledgeable faculty and administrators focused on providing up-to-date information and relevant training.
When you study at NIMAA, you can complete your coursework in as few as eight months. Even with full-time study, students have the flexibility they need to balance their schoolwork with regular work or other responsibilities.
Classes at NIMAA are 100% online. Even though you’ll be in a virtual classroom, you will still have an opportunity to participate in hands-on learning experiences. NIMAA partners with quality clinics in your community to set up externships where you’ll work alongside CMAs and other healthcare professionals in a clinical setting.
Duration: 8 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $6,430 (for in-state students)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- 18+ years of age
- Residence in a state where NIMAA offers its program
- Complete a phone call with a NIMAA admissions representative
- Externship interview
Curriculum:
The curriculum was designed by health centers to prepare students for today’s primary care settings. Some of the topics covered include:
- Rooming patients
- Taking vital signs
- Teach-back at the end of visits
- Communication skills
- Agenda setting
- Goal setting
- Self-management support
- Venipuncture
- Working in an interprofessional team
- Integrated team-based primary care
Best for: Students who need a fully online option and an intensive program that can be completed quickly.
FAQs for Colorado’s Medical Assistant Students
The healthcare system can be confusing, so it’s normal to have questions about moving into a career as a medical assistant. In this section, we’ll address some of the top questions from people like you about what to expect when you become a medical assistant in Colorado.
How do I become a medical assistant in Colorado?
In Colorado, you don’t need any special credentials to work as a medical assistant, but earning your medical assistant certification is going to be worth it when it comes to finding work and advancing your career. According to the NHA, 62% of employers said that having a medical assistant certification was their number one criterion for potential hires.
Fortunately, online medical assistant certifications are extremely accessible in Colorado. You can take advantage of lower tuition rates at community colleges and in-state resident tuition discounts to help manage your costs. Since most online certification programs are designed with busy people in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy the flexibility to study on your own schedule. Be sure to opt for an AAMA accredited program to get the most value and ensure you’ll be eligible for a CMA certification.
Once you’ve completed your certification, you’ll be ready to sit for your Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Passing this test proves you have a firm handle on the essential skills required for working as a medical assistant. You won’t have to re-test if you leave Colorado, since your CMA is a national certification.
What are medical assistants allowed to do in Colorado?
Medical assistants can take on a range of clinical and administrative duties. On the clinical side, your responsibilities include taking vital signs, preparing patients for procedures, drawing blood, administering medication, removing sutures, and assisting with exams. On the administrative side, you might greet patients, manage medical records, submit insurance claims, or help schedule appointments.
In a smaller practice like a doctor’s office, you may go back and forth between clinical and administrative work. In larger settings like hospitals, medical assistants typically focus on a smaller set of administrative or clinical tasks.
Expert Insight
When searching for medical assistant jobs, you may come upon some that either focus solely on clinical duties and vice versa. Some medical offices may have their medical assistants focus on clinical duties, just administrative duties, or both. This is something to consider. You can look at duties listed in the job listings.
Which is better: CMA or RMA?
Both certifications are in demand when it comes to the job market. CMAs and RMAs (registered medical assistants) are generally considered equally qualified for medical assistant jobs and can perform the same duties.
The main difference between the two certifications is the path you took to become a medical assistant:
- If you’ve earned your medical certificate from an accredited program, taking the CMA exam can be the most efficient option for demonstrating your credentials.
- If you attended an unaccredited program or developed your skills through on-the-job training, an RMA certification is best since it focuses on your professional experience rather than educational background.
Expert Insight
Before deciding on CMA or RMA, you should look at some job listings in your area. This is to check if employers are looking more for CMAs or RMAs. If you see more open listings for either or, then that certification may be the best route to take. After becoming certified it will facilitate finding a job.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Colorado?
Since you don’t need a CMA certification to work as a medical assistant in Colorado, you can start immediately. But if you prepare for the job by pursuing your CMA certificate, you can expect to spend between 12 and 18 months completing your coursework. The amount of time it takes depends on whether you opt to study full- or part-time and your program’s curriculum.
For administrative work, you may want to consider programs like the one-semester Medical Office Administrative Assistant Certificate at Front Range Community College. These shorter options give you the credentials to work in administrative roles and can help you get your foot in the door without committing to a full year of coursework.
This can also be a great way to get started working in the field while you finish your CMA courses since you’ll likely be able to transfer your coursework between programs.
What color scrubs do medical assistants wear?
There’s no universal rule when it comes to scrub colors, especially for medical assistants. If you are working in a large clinic or hospital, they may have employees color coded by their role. This allows everyone to quickly distinguish between doctors, nurses, and medical assistants, particularly in emergencies. In smaller practices, there may be scrub color requirements, or you may have the freedom to wear whatever color you’d like.
Expert Insight
Based on previous MA jobs, you should ask your employer if they reimburse money spent on purchasing scrubs, or if they provide them. At my dermatology MA office job they would provide their employees with two sets of scrubs yearly. Knowing this information will allow you to wait to purchase scrubs or what scrub color to purchase.
Certifications and Continuing Education in Colorado
The CMA credential, offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), is nationally recognized and ensures you meet essential industry standards.
As we mentioned earlier, Colorado doesn’t require you to earn a CMA credential to practice in the state. But we highly recommend getting additional certification, as it helps you improve your job chances and career advancement opportunities.
Continuing education is crucial for maintaining certification and staying current in the field. CMAs in Colorado must renew their certification every 60 months by earning continuing education credits or retaking the certification exam. Additionally, you can pursue specialized certifications, such as in phlebotomy or EKG technology, which will help expand your skill set and earning potential.
Colorado medical assistants can also grow their careers by transitioning into related roles, such as healthcare administration, nursing, or specialized clinical fields, through further education and training.
Salary & Career Outlook for Colorado’s Medical Assistants
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 11,610 | 14,250 | 2,640 | 22.70% | 1,910 |
| 1 – United States | 764,400 | 870,200 | 105,800 | 13.80% | 114,600 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
