Study At A Medical Assistant School in Alabama, Pursue A Perfect Career For You
If you’re interested in learning more about medical assistant schools in Alabama, there are a variety of different certificates, diplomas and degree programs to choose from.
If your ultimate goal is to pursue a career as a medical assistant after high school, you may want to keep in mind that a few skills that may help you become a successful medical assistant include:
- The ability to be analytical
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Being detail oriented
- Technical skills with basic clinical instruments are all valuable to this job
Before we get into education information for medical assistant schools in Alabama, we thought you’d be interested to learn some general education information about the state.
Colleges in Alabama
According to the National Center for Education Statistics:
- There are 38 public colleges in Alabama
- 14 of those colleges are 4 year schools, while 24 are 2 year schools
- In 2018 there were 306,394 enrolled college students
- Total 2018 male fall enrollment is 130,167
- Total 2018 female fall enrollment is 176,227
Top 15 Schools With Medical Assisting Programs in Alabama
The medical assistant schools in Alabama below are ranked according to total number of graduates reported by NCES in the 2018 school year. With a total of 843 students either completing either a 2 year degree or less than two year program. Salary information provided by College Scorecard.
Fortis College
Montgomery, AL
Our first medical assistant school in Alabama is Fortis. Offering one medical assisting program, from which 120 students earned an award from the certificate program. The majority of these awards, 112, went to women.
Fortis Institute
Birmingham, AL
In 2018 school year the college awarded certificate diplomas to 89 students and 7 degrees to students in the associate program. The majority of these awards, 95, went to women.
Associates Degree
$20,140 (AAS)
Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, AL
In 2018 / 19 the college offered two medical assisting programs. At this medical assisting school in Alabama 22 students earned an associates degree. 79 also completed a certificate program. The majority of these awards, 93, went to women.
Associates Degree
Fortis College
Dothan, AL
In 2018 the campus offered 1 medical assisting program. 80 students completed the certificate program. All of these grads were women!
Fortis College
Mobile, AL
The college certificate and associate medical assisting programs. 91 students completed the certificate program. The majority of these awards went to women.
Associates Degree
$19,592 (AAS)
Ross Medical Education Center
Huntsville, AL
The college offered 1 medical assisting program. 74 students completed the certificate program. Only two men earned a certificate in this cohort.
Fortis College
Foley, AL
In 2018 / 19 the college offered 1 medical assisting program. 68 students completed the certificate program.
Remington College
Mobile, AL
In 2018 / 19 the college offered 2 programs, one associate and one certificate program. 8 students completed the associate degree program. The rest of the 49 students, earned a diploma.
Associate
$29,779 (AAS)
Northwest-Shoals Community College
Muscle Shoals, AL
In 2018 the college offered both an associate and certificate program. 20 students completed the associate program while 10 earned a certificate.
Associate
Southern Union State Community College
Wadley, AL
The college offered 2 programs. 23 students earned an associate degree in medical assisting, while 15 completed the certificate program.
Associate
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Phenix City, AL
This community college offered 2 medical assisting program. 9 earned an associates while 15 finished a certificate program.
Associate
George C Wallace State Community College
Hanceville, AL
In 2018 / 19 82 students earned an associates degree in medical assisting. The majority of these awards, went to women.
Associate
H Councill Trenholm State Community College
Montgomery, AL
In 2018 the college offered 2 program. 20 students in total completed one of the programs. Majority, 12, earned an associate degree.
Associate
George C Wallace Community College
Dothan, AL
The college offered 2 medical assistant programs. 28 students completed the associates degree program.
Associate
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College
Huntsville, AL
8 students graduated from a medical assisting program in 2018 / 2019 school year. Evenly split, 4 earned an associates degree while 4 completed a certificate program.
Associate
Do I Need a Medical Assistant Certification in Alabama?
While medical assistants are not required to be certified, many employers may prefer to hire someone who is certified. It is important to note that earning a certificate is not the same as becoming certified! Earning a certificate means you have completed a diploma program. A certification is awarded by one of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. There are five certifications for medical assistants. It is important to note that per the Alabama board of Nursing Code, only a certified or registered medical assistant is able to relay medical orders from a doctor to a nurse.
How Much Do Medical Assistants in Alabama Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 there were 9,580 medical assistants in Alabama. These 9k plus pros represent .49% of the states job. The median wage for medical assistants in Alabama is $28,570. With an hourly median pay of $13.74.
What are the top metro areas in Alabama to work in?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the metro area that pays the most is Birmingham. The 2019 median salary for medical assistants in these other metro areas is as follows:
| Metro Area | Jobs | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston – Oxford, AL | 250 | $14.30 | $29,730 |
| Auburn – Opelika, AL | 210 | $14.37 | $29,880 |
| Birmingham – Hoover, AL | 2,940 | $14.51 | $30,180 |
| Daphne – Fairhope | 310 | $14.02 | $29,170 |
| Decatur, AL | 160 | $12.88 | $26,790 |
| Dothan, AL | 540 | $13.45 | $27,970 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 250 | $14.31 | $29,760 |
| Gadsden, AL | 380 | $12.93 | $26,900 |
| Huntsville, AL | 1,300 | $14.02 | $29,160 |
| Mobile, AL | 970 | $13.44 | $27,950 |
| Montgomery, AL | 640 | $13.31 | $27,690 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 270 | $12.58 | $26,170 |
Where do medical assistants work?
Medical assistants usually work in physician’s offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They perform administrative and clinical tasks that involve working with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. A few hospitals in Alabama include:
- University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham
- Huntsville Hospital
- St Vincents Brimingham Hospital
What Medical Assisting Professional Organizations are there in Alabama?
Joining a professional medical assistant organization in Alabama can be a great way for you to keep up on industry trends and meet new contacts after you graduate. The Alabama State Society (a division of the AMT) gives members access to regional meetings and events, networking and professional development, and important information on how to stay certified. You can find more information on their website.
If you think that pursuing a career in medical assisting is right for you, check out the list of medical assistant schools in Alabama to see some great options! Although a medical assisting degree or certification may not be required, it’s always good to consider that the more relevant education and training you have, the more impressive your resume may look to potential employers.