Study At A Medical Assistant School in Pennsylvania, Pursue A Perfect Career For You
If you’re interested in learning more about medical assistant programs in Pennsylvania, you’ve come to the right place! There are a variety of:
- Certificates
- Degree Programs
- Diplomas
Medical assistants may carry out clinical or administrative tasks such as:
- Removing stitches
- Changing dressings
- Using Electronic Health Record (EHR) software
- Recording patients’ medical information
Before we get into education information for medical assistants in Pennsylvania, we thought you’d be interested to learn some general education information about the state.
Colleges in Pennsylvania
According to the 2018 National Center for Education Statistics:
- There are 63 public colleges in Pennsylvania
- 45 of those colleges are 4 year schools, while 18 are 2 year schools
- In 2018 there were 725,024 enrolled college students
- Total 2018 male fall enrollment is 316,792
- Total 2018 female fall enrollment is 408,232
Do I Need a Medical Assistant Certification in Pennsylvania?
By attending a vocational school, community college, or university, you can enroll in a medical assistant program and pursue your certificate or diploma. Since many employers prefer hiring someone with a medical assisting certificate or degree, it makes sense to look into available medical assisting programs now. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits five certifications for medical assistants.
How Much Do Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 there were 29,280 medical assistants in Pennsylvania. These 29k plus pros represent .50% of the states job. The median wage for medical assistants in Pennsylvania is $32,970. With an hourly median pay of $15.85.
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 Pennsylvania:
- Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian
- UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside
- Jefferson Health-Thomas Jefferson University Hospitalsl
- Lancaster General Hospital
- Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Purdue University Global
Medical Office Administration Certificate
Purdue Global’s online medical office administration program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to pursue entry-level positions in this exciting field. Coursework focuses on areas including insurance processing and fundamental medical office administrative and clerical tasks.
What are the top metro areas in Pennsylvania to work in?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the metro area that pays the most is Philadelphia. The 2019 median salary for medical assistants in these other metro areas is as follows:
| Metro Area | Jobs | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 2,610 | $16.69 | $34,720 |
| Altoona, PA | 420 | $14.26 | $29,670 |
| Erie, PA | 550 | $14.37 | $29,890 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 1,680 | $15.82 | $32,900 |
| Johnstown, PA | 280 | $15.18 | $31,570 |
| Lancaster, PA | 1,140 | $14.91 | $31,010 |
| Lebanon, PA | 200 | $15.62 | $32,500 |
| Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division | 15,360 | $16.93 | $35,200 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 5,580 | $15.36 | $31,950 |
| Reading, PA | 820 | $16.06 | $33,410 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | 1,190 | $15.32 | $31,860 |
| State College, PA | 220 | $15.37 | $31,970 |
| Williamsport, PA | 150 | $14.95 | $31,100 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 1,100 | $16.60 | $34,530 |
What Medical Assisting Professional Organizations are there in Pennsylvania?
Are you a post-graduate who is searching for possible networking opportunities for medical assistants? Then joining a medical assisting professional organization in Pennsylvania may be a great idea! The Pennsylvania State Society is a professional medical assisting state society organization. On their website, you can find information regarding upcoming events, new legislation, meetings, professional weeks, and even a photo gallery!
If you have decided to take the plunge and pursue a career in medical assisting, then take a look below at a list of schools in Pennsylvania that have medical assisting programs. Although certification or a diploma may not be necessary, remember that many employers prefer hiring job potential employees with degrees or certification.
PENN FOSTER
Medical Assistant Career Diploma
Offered through Penn Foster College, the self-paced Medical Assistant diploma program can help you prepare to take the next steps toward becoming a skilled medical assistant. Geared toward students who don’t want or need to earn an associate’s degree, the course will cover 41 lessons, as well as a 160-hour externship for hands-on experience.
