Online Medical Assistant Programs in New Mexico: Finding a School

Inside Online Medical Assistant Programs in New Mexico

Online medical assistant programs in New Mexico have become quite popular given their greater convenience, flexibility, and affordability when compared to traditional campus-based programs. Finding the right program for you, however, will take a bit of exploration. That’s because of the variety of credentials offered, which can include:

• Certification preparation courses
• Diplomas
• Certificates
• Associate degrees

Online programs additionally come with different content delivery formats (fully-online, hybrid), lengths, costs, curriculum requirements, etc. You’ll also find that different programs qualify their graduates for different medical assistant professional certifications.

We’ll cover all of this and more below. But to give you an idea of what to expect from an online MA education, here are spotlights of three online medical assistant programs currently available in New Mexico:

FAQs for New Mexico Medical Assistant Students

As you explore your education options, you’re bound to have questions about how MA programs work and the career opportunities that await you once you’ve completed your studies. To help, here are the answers to five questions frequently asked by prospective MA students.

How much does a medical assistant program in New Mexico cost?

The figures mentioned in the three spotlights above provide a pretty good idea of the price range for online MA programs in the state (from just over $2,000 to just under $5,000.) Bear in mind, though, that only some programs include the costs of books and other study materials in their program fees, so be sure you have a clear understanding of any additional costs you’ll incur prior to enrollment.

Also keep in mind that you may be able to lower your total program cost with financial aid resources available directly from MA programs or other sources. These resources may include:

• Scholarships and grants
• Tuition discounts
• Employer tuition reimbursement
• Student loans
• Tuition deferment and installment plans

Be sure to speak with a financial aid officer at each of the schools you’re considering for details on potential funding opportunities.

How do I become a certified medical assistant in NM?

The steps to becoming a certified medical assistant in New Mexico include:

• Acceptance into a quality, accredited medical assistant education program. Many programs have no specific education admissions or prerequisite course requirements, but you’ll need a high school diploma (or equivalent) to obtain any of several professional certifications.
• Complete your medical assistant education program.
• Obtain one or more professional medical assistant certifications. More on certifications below.

Are there medical assistant programs available online?

Yes. In fact, online medical assistant programs have become extremely popular not only in New Mexico but nationwide. However, programs are rarely entirely online, as most online medical assistant programs in New Mexico require (or include as an option) hands-on clinical practice experiences attended at medical practice facilities in the school’s or student’s local area.

It’s also important to note that online content delivery may be synchronous (requiring students to log on and attend class sessions at specific times) or asynchronous (allowing students to complete coursework at any time.) Therefore, it’s critical that you understand exactly what “online” means for any program you consider before signing up.

Are online medical assistant programs accredited?

There are two basic types of accreditation to look for during your program search:

• Institutional accreditation, which concerns the overall academic quality of a postsecondary institution. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes several independent regional and national agencies that grant institutional accreditation, which you can research through the department’s database.
• Programmatic accreditation, which concerns academic programs in a specific field or academic discipline. The two major accreditors of medical assistant programs are the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

What job opportunities are available for medical assistants in New Mexico?

Your medical assistant program in New Mexico will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to fill MA positions in a wide range of practice settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Urgent care centers
• Nursing homes
• Specialty clinics
• Physician’s offices

Job openings are available throughout the state, with the highest demand found in urban areas like Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces, but rural healthcare facilities also need trained MAs. And with New Mexico’s large Native American and Spanish-speaking populations, there’s a strong demand for bilingual medical assistants.

You’ll also discover that some MA jobs focus primarily on administrative duties (billing, scheduling, and medical coding), while others focus on clinical duties (phlebotomy, EKGs, and assisting with procedures). In most cases, though, you’ll be responsible for carrying out a combination of administrative and clinical tasks.

Certifications and Continuing Education in New Mexico

There are no state-mandated license requirements to practice as a medical assistant in New Mexico. However, many employers require or prefer MA job candidates who possess professional certification.

Respected medical assistant certifications include:

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
• Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA)
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

To qualify for any of these certifications, you’ll need to complete an accredited medical assisting program (like any of those discussed in this guide.)

There are also no state-mandated continuing education requirements for medical assistants working in New Mexico. You will, however, need to renew any and all of your MA certifications on a regular basis, which typically requires earning a stated number of continuing education (CE) credits during each renewal period.

Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in New Mexico