Study At A Medical Assistant School in Oregon, Pursue A Perfect Career For You
Many colleges in the state of Oregon offer medical assisting certificates, diplomas and associate and bachelor degree programs that help prepare graduates to pursue careers in physicians’ offices, clinics and nursing homes. Medical assistants, not to be confused with physician assistants, work in clinical or administrative settings or perform a variety of both. They:
- Schedule patients’ appointments
- Change bandages
- Use electronic health records (EHRs) software
- Record patients’ vitals
Before we get into education information for medical assistants in Oregon, we thought you’d be interested to learn some general education information about the state.
Colleges in Oregon
According to the 2018 National Center for Education Statistics:
- There are 26 public colleges in Oregon
- 9 of those colleges are 4 year schools, while 17 are 2 year schools
- In 2018 there were 230,703 enrolled college students
- Total 2018 male fall enrollment is 101,908
- Total 2018 female fall enrollment is 128,795
Do I Need a Medical Assistant Certification in Oregon?
Employers tend to prefer hiring employees who are certified and you may jumpstart your career by earning your degree or certificate. Since you have a variety of medical assistant schools in Oregon to pick from that have medial assisting programs, we may be able to help you get started. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits five certifications for medical assistants.
How Much Do Medical Assistants in Oregon Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 there were 13,340 medical assistants in Oregon. These 13k plus pros represent .70% of the states job. The median wage for medical assistants in Oregon is $39,570. With an hourly median pay of $19.02.
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 Oregon:
- Oregon Health and Science University Hospital
- Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
- Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center
- Salem Hospital
- Providence Portland Medical Center
What are the top metro areas in Oregon to work in?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the metro area that pays the most is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro. The 2019 median salary for medical assistants in these other metro areas is as follows:
| Metro Area | Jobs | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | 640 | $18.25 | $37,950 |
| Corvallis, OR | 300 | $19.60 | $40,780 |
| Eugene, OR | 1,120 | $19.47 | $40,490 |
| Medford, OR | 820 | $18.71 | $38,920 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 7,540 | $20.20 | $42,010 |
| Salem, OR | 1,520 | $18.49 | $38,470 |
What Medical Assisting Professional Organizations are there in Oregon?
Participating in a professional medical assisting organization after graduation may be a great way to expand your network of other professional medical assistants and potentially meet people with similar career paths. The Oregon Society of Medical Assistants (OSMA) is such an organization and their website has information about benefits you may receive as a member, contact information, the latest OSMA news, and local chapter information.
While pursuing your medical assisting career at one of the medical assistant schools in Oregon, keep in mind that employers like to hire candidates who have been certified. Even if certification isn’t necessary for the medical assisting field, it may make a statement to employers who prefer certified candidates and earning your diploma or certificate might jumpstart your medical assisting career. Need assistance when it comes to finding a school that may be a good fit for you? Let us help you by taking a look at the Oregon schools listed below.