Explore Top Medical Assistant Schools in Nevada: Online & Campus
Become part of the ever-growing field of medical assisting through the top online medical assistant programs in Nevada. Find the right school for you and learn what to expect when you graduate.
People are flocking to online medical assistant programs in Nevada for a rewarding profession that allows them to make a major contribution to the healthcare field by performing various clinical duties like taking vital signs and preparing specimens for testing. Medical assistants (MAs) also often perform administrative duties, such as medical billing and coding, and patient scheduling.
As the aging population increases and many healthcare workers retire, the demand for medical assistants is on the rise around the country. Nevada is no different with a healthcare system that is stressed by an increasing population, resulting in a growing need for medical assistants and other healthcare professionals. To address this need, more online MA programs in Nevada, like the one through Goodwill of Southern Nevada that was recently expanded, are being developed.
To help meet the growing need, aspiring medical assistants like you must learn the key steps to becoming a medical assistant. Not only do you want a quality program like the popular online medical assistant programs in Nevada detailed below, but you also know the importance of making sure you’ll be able to make enough to live on when you graduate. Keep reading to learn this and more, discovering the job outlook for graduates of online medical assistant programs in the Silver State.
Popular Online Medical Assistant Programs in Nevada
Medical assistants are an important part of the healthcare field and need rigorous training to meet the challenge. As a result, you want to make sure you enroll in one of the best online medical assistant programs in NV. The programs featured below give you an idea of what the top programs have to offer.
Northwest Career College
The medical assistant program at Northwest Career College takes nine months with a curriculum that covers infection control, medical terminology, laboratory procedures, and medical diagnostics. Information learned in this online medical assistant program in NV is reinforced during the school’s hands-on training.
Northwest Career College makes education convenient and accessible through coursework offered days, evenings, and weekends to make it easy for students to integrate their studies into their lifestyles. Everyone in the program receives a laptop to help them easily access program materials.
After completing the diploma, graduates are qualified to work in hospitals, surgical centers, and private practices. Northwest Career College also offers placement services, access to employment leads, and help with resume writing and interview preparation.
College of Southern Nevada
The medical assisting certificate program at the College of Southern Nevada includes online instruction and hands-on training. This 33-credit certificate covers medical assistant techniques, phlebotomy, medical office management, and ways the body responds to diseases as well as courses to equip students with the communication skills needed for success in the healthcare field.
After completing coursework for this online medical assistant program in Nevada, students participate in externships at medical clinics or doctor’s offices. This experiential learning introduces them to the realities of working in the medical field and provides a deeper comprehension of course material. This helps students understand the ethical standards of the field, demonstrate verbal communication and listening skills, and perform required administrative tasks.
The MA certificate program at the College of Southern Nevada, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, prepares graduates for certification and work based on competencies set forth by the Medical Assisting Education Review Board.
Western Nevada College
The medical assistant program at Western Nevada College is entirely online. The medical terminology portion of the curriculum gives students a comprehensive view of the human body, including how the digestive, reproductive, and urinary systems work. During clinical medical assisting, students become familiar with the theory and practice of the profession. Topics include medical billing and coding, nutrition, medical records management, and pathophysiology.
Graduates of this online medical assistant program in Nevada can perform a variety of laboratory procedures, take vital signs, update medical records, and communicate effectively with patients and colleagues. They are also qualified to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) examination.
Western Nevada College’s online classes are delivered through Canvas to allow students to conveniently access course materials, watch lectures, and complete assignments. An orientation session helps students become accustomed to online learning.
NV’s Salary & Career Overview for Medical Assistants
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that medical assistants in Nevada earn from $31,940 to $48,810 per year, with the average salary in the state being $41,390. Throughout the U.S., medical assistants earn between $33,500 and $56,480 annually, and the average salary nationally for medical assistants is $43,350. Specific areas of Nevada differ from the state salary range. Professionals in Las Vegas, for example, make between $29,940 and $47,590, while Reno medical assistants make $35,820 to $50,850. If you work in Carson City, you can make a range of $34,090 to $54,820 per year.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 33,500 | 43,350 | 56,480 |
| Nevada | 31,940 | 41,390 | 48,810 |
| Carson City, NV | 34,090 | 43,160 | 54,820 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 29,940 | 40,830 | 47,590 |
| Reno, NV | 35,820 | 43,800 | 50,850 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
Projections Central predicts a significant increase in jobs for medical assistants through 2030. The MA career outlook should grow in Nevada by 21.5 percent, amounting to 1,100new job openings yearly. On the national level, there will be 104,400 new jobs added to the field annually, resulting in an 18.4 percent increase.
| Area | New Jobs | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 132,600 | 18.4% | 104,400 |
| Nevada | 1,580 | 21.5% | 1,100 |
Source: Projections Central, 2020-2030
Your Questions, Answered
Are there online medical assistant programs available?
Online medical assistant classes not only exist but are widely available through medical assistant programs in Nevada like Western Nevada College. There are also hybrid medical assistant programs in NV through schools like the College of Southern Nevada, United Education Institute, and Pima Medical Institute. No matter how the course content is delivered, students get hands-on training in a medical environment.
How much does medical assistant school cost in NV?
The cost for an online medical assistant program in Nevada varies by school, and medical assistant schools in NV charge in a variety of ways. The College of Southern Nevada, for example, charges $123.75 per credit for in-state students and $136.25 for non-residents. Other schools, like Western Nevada College, charge a flat fee of $2,795 for the entire program. In addition, some schools charge a per-semester fee. Northwest Career College, for instance, charges $5,167 per term for its medical assistant program.
How much do medical assistants make in Nevada?
Medical assistants in Nevada make an average of $41,390 per year. The highest earners make $48,810, and the lowest make $31,940. On the national level, medical assistants make an average annual salary of $43,350, and the salary range is $33,500 to $56,480.
How do I become a certified medical assistant?
To become a certified medical assistant, you must be admitted to a medical assistant training program that will qualify you to take the Certified Medical Assistant Exam and/or the National Certified Medical Assistant Exam. Graduating from the program and then passing either of these exams certifies you as a medical assistant in Nevada. As you make your way through whatever program you choose, be sure to use all the resources available for MAs to help ensure your success.
Scope of Practice for Medical Assistants
Nevada state law allows medical assistants to perform procedures under the supervision of a physician or a physician assistant as outlined by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP). This includes essential skills like wound care, taking blood pressure and temperature, measuring oxygen saturation, and providing oral medications. Medical assistants can also perform procedures like pulmonary function testing, electrocardiography, capillary puncture, and venipuncture. The state also allows medical assistants to provide massage therapy, whirlpool treatments, diathermy treatments, and ultrasound therapy if they’re supervised. Medical assistants in Nevada are not allowed to administer any kind of anesthetic agent to patients.
