Medical Assistant Programs Online in Washington: What You Need to Know
Online medical assistant programs in Washington are great for kickstarting your career. Dive into programs and find one right for you.
If you’re considering a career in medical assisting, you’re choosing one of the fastest growing occupations in the country; in fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the role is growing at almost four times the national average for all jobs.
In addition to growth, many aspects of this career surely appeal to you, including the opportunity to assist patients and healthcare providers, the wide variety of interesting work you’ll perform, and the chance to advance your career through valuable bridge programs later. You’re also likely aware that most programs can be completed in an accelerated timeframe — typically between 11 weeks and 18 months.
But you likely still have questions: What is the right path for your needs? What skills will you need to become an MA? How will you fit your studies into your schedule? What should you expect when it comes to employment opportunities and earning potential?
This guide will help you answer these questions — and more. You’ll first be introduced to some of the most popular online medical assistant (MA) programs in Washington that stand out in terms of flexibility, affordability, and quality. Beyond that, you’ll explore the state’s salary figures and job market and learn further insights about the role.
Ready to get the complete picture of your future as an MA? Let’s get started now.
Top Online Medical Assistant Programs in WA
To help you launch a search for your ideal online medical assistant program in Washington, here are some of the state’s most popular offerings. Even if you don’t find the right fit here, you can refer back to these spotlights as a quality barometer when doing your own research.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Prospective medical assistants looking for a top-notch online medical assistant program in Washington can pursue one of three options at LWTech:
- You can earn a 24-credit Medical Office Administration Certificate of Completion, which aims to prepare you to seek entry-level employment in a variety of medical office administration settings.
- You can pursue an 80-credit Medical Assisting Certificate of Proficiency, which will qualify you to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
- Or you can pursue a 90-credit Associate of Applied Science (AAS). This program allows students to complete their studies through a flexible combination of online and on-campus classes. In the final quarter, students apply their learning during a 180-hour supervised clinical work experience in an outpatient facility. Students in the AAS are also qualified to sit for the CMA exam.
LWTech’s Medical Assisting Certificate of Proficiency is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Tuition ranges from $123.58 to $140.92 per credit, depending on residency.
Everett Community College
Depending upon the Medical Assistant Program option selected, students at Everett Community College can become certified MAs in as few as 15 to 18 months. The certificate option consists of 72 credits, but students can opt to go a bit further by pursuing an associate in technical arts (ATA) or transfer degree by completing an additional 17 to 25 credits. The school’s program also features a hybrid option that allows students to complete 75% of their classes online if they choose.
At the conclusion of the program, graduates are well prepared to take the CMA exam and find employment. In fact, Everett boasts a five-year average CMA exam pass rate of 82.67% and a 2022 graduate job placement rate of 80.77%. Tuition ranges from $126.36 to $190.15 per credit, depending on residency. There is a tuition payment plan available that allows students to break this amount into three installments.
Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in Washington
| Area | 10th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $43,350 | $56,480 |
| Washington | $40,660 | $53,780 | $66,500 |
| Bellingham, WA | $38,880 | $48,090 | $59,130 |
| Bremerton, WA | $39,690 | $51,770 | $67,780 |
| Kennewick, WA | $37,630 | $47,740 | $57,730 |
| Longview, WA | $38,960 | $51,800 | $58,530 |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $40,580 | $50,990 | $61,080 |
| Olympia, WA | $38,410 | $50,100 | $61,660 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $45,580 | $58,070 | $70,470 |
| Spokane, WA | $37,550 | $47,450 | $57,870 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $36,570 | $45,690 | $54,570 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $38,920 | $46,180 | $57,710 |
| Yakima, WA | $37,720 | $44,630 | $54,870 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
| Area | New Jobs | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 132,600 | 18.4% | 104,400 |
| Washington | 3,560 | 21.6% | 2,830 |
Source: Projections Central, 2020-2030
Before embarking on your online medical assistant program in Washington, it’s a wise idea to get a handle on your earning potential and employment prospects. That way, once you graduate with your certificate or degree in hand, you will already have an idea of where you might find the brightest possibilities for your career. Let’s examine the figures in the tables above to see what they reveal.
As you can see, medical assistants earn a mean annual wage of $43,350 nationally. However, in Washington, they can reasonably expect to earn slightly more than this, with a statewide mean annual wage of $53,780.
By far, the metropolitan area with the best earning potential is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, where the mean annual wage is $58,070. Other areas, including Longview and Bremerton, also have decent earning potential, with a mean of $51,800 and $51,770, respectively. But medical assistants earn the least in Yakima and Walla Walla, where the mean falls around $45,000.
Nationally, the demand for medical assistants is expected to grow 18.4% over the next 10 years. But the market looks even healthier in Washington, with a projected 10-year growth rate of 21.6% and an anticipated 3,560 new jobs. Therefore, new medical assistants should not have a difficult time finding employment opportunities.
Your Questions, Answered
Can I complete a medical assistant program entirely online?
In short, no. As with most other training programs in the medical field, no online medical assistant program in WA that leads to certification can be completed entirely online. There are many facets of medical assistant training that require hands-on, practical experience gained through in-person labs and clinicals. This in-person training allows students to apply their learning from online theory courses so that they have a realistic understanding of the job and are adequately prepared to work in a variety of healthcare settings.
How do I know if a program is accredited?
The first step in determining whether a program is accredited is to search for this information on the school’s or program’s website. There are two accreditation organizations specific to medical assistant programs—the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) — so one of these organizations will usually be listed. If neither of these is listed, research your school using the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation database.
How much will a medical assistant program cost in Washington state?
The tuition costs of online medical assistant programs in WA can vary. However, looking at a few of the most popular programs across the state reveals an average tuition of around $12,400. The spotlight schools above reveal a range of tuition prices, but remember, the total price tag for completing a program will also include other expenses, such as books, materials, and various fees. Furthermore, opting for a program that offers scholarships and other financial aid can cut down on these costs.
What is the best medical assistant program in Washington?
Ultimately, determining which is the “best” online medical assistant program in Washington will depend on your needs. However, there are many factors you should consider when evaluating any given program. Aside from accreditation status, other vital considerations include a program’s student support, exam pass rate, employment outcomes, and tuition costs. Fortunately, you’ll find many online resources available to MA students, regardless of where you decide to earn your certification.
Tasks that Medical Assistants Can Perform
In Washington, certified medical assistants are authorized to perform a variety of tasks under the supervision of a physician or other healthcare professional, and these duties are clearly defined by Washington law. Although the law subdivides these duties into eight smaller categories, the bulk of most medical assistants’ work involves clinical support, patient interaction, administrative tasks, and safety and compliance.
For example, certified medical assistants help keep clinics safe for patients by sterilizing equipment, disposing of biohazardous materials, and making preparations for procedures. They also interact with patients and contribute to their care by taking vital signs and patient histories, collecting specimens (including blood samples), administering certain medications, performing some diagnostic tests, starting IV lines, and assisting with minor procedures in non-hospital settings. If appropriately trained, a medical assistant may also be qualified to perform urethral catheterization.
However, the law strictly prohibits medical assistants from serving in any capacity that requires independent clinical judgment, such as diagnosing patients or prescribing medication. They are also not permitted to perform any procedure that would require additional training or licensure. For example, although the law allows certified medical assistants to start IV lines, it specifies they are not permitted to administer IV medication. The only exception to this is when the medical assistant administers diagnostic or therapeutic agents under direct visual supervision of a healthcare practitioner.
In addition to these prohibitions, the law also states that although medical assistants can administer medication under a written order from the practitioner, they are not allowed to calculate dosages; if the medication is not one that is administered by the unit or single dose, the dosage must be calculated by a verified healthcare practitioner. Medical assistants are also not permitted to administer chemotherapy agents or any experimental drugs.
