Medical Assistant Programs in Illinois
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Illinois and Medical Assistant Programs in Illinois
Medical assistants are responsible for many of the routine tasks that are performed in a doctor’s office or other clinical setting. These healthcare professionals take vitals, assist with examinations, and occasionally administer injections, prepare blood for testing, and perform basic medical tests. Medical assistants may also be responsible for scheduling appointments and maintaining patient records. Illinois does not have formal training requirements for medical assistants. However, there are several steps you can take to increase your employability in this field. If you’re interested in learning about how to become a medical assistant in Illinois and medical assistant programs in Illinois, read on.
A high school diploma or the equivalent is required for a job as a medical assistant. Pursuing continuing education in this field is greatly preferred by employers. There are many schools with medical assistant programs in Illinois that offer certificate or AAS degrees in this field. These include:* Illinois Eastern Community College* Rasmussen College Rockford* MacCormac College* Morton College* Shawnee Community College* Lewis and Clark Community CollegeCertificate programs can typically be completed in about a year. Associate of Applied Science programs in Medical Assisting take about two years to complete. These programs familiarize students with medical terminology, anatomy, and basic medical procedures.
Certification is not required to be a medical assistant, but this too will increase opportunities for employment in this field. Graduates of accredited programs can sit for exams for many types of certification. Options include Certified Medical Assistant, Registered Medical Assistant, National Certified Medical Assistant, and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification. Another way to increase your value as a medical assistant is to pursue continuing education in your field. The Illinois Society of Medical Assistants is dedicated to giving members plenty of opportunities to further their careers. Several weeks or months of on the job training may also be required for tasks specific to that employer.
In the state of Illinois, the annual mean wage for medical assistants is $31,440, or about $15.11 an hour. Those with earnings in the top ten percent of this occupation make more than $42,030 while those with earnings in the bottom ten percent make less than $21,110, according to May 2011 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL area has the fourth-highest metropolitan employment level for medical assistants. Job outlook in this area is expected to be very good with a projected job growth of 31 percent over the 2010 to 2020 decade. Students interested in this profession have a very promising future.
Medical Assistant Schools Near You & Online in Illinois
Southwestern Illinois College
- 2500 Carlyle Ave. Belleville, IL 62221
Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
(618) 235-2700
Everest College
- 6880 N. Frontage Road, Suite 400 Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Programs: Medical Assistant
(630) 920-1102
Kaplan University
- 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 Chicago, IL 60602
Programs: Medical Assistant
(800) 621-7440
National Latino Education Institute
- 1737 West 18th Street Chicago, IL 60608
Programs: Medical Assistant
(312) 243-3030
National Latino Education Institute
- 2011 West Pershing Road Chicago, IL 60609
Programs: Medical Assistant
(773) 247-0707
Northwestern Institute of Health and Technology
- 4641 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60640
Programs: LPN, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy
(773) 506-2136
Illinois Central College
- 1 College Drive East Peoria, IL 61635
Programs: ADN, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
(309) 694-5422
Highland Community College
- 2998 West Pearl City Road Freeport, IL 61032
Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
(815) 235-6121
College of Dupage
- 425 Fawell Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, LPN, Medical Assistant, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, RN
(630) 942-2800
College of Lake County
- 19351 West Washington Street Grayslake, IL 60030
Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, LPN, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
(847) 543-2000
Harper College
- 1200 W. Algonquin Road Palatine, IL 60067
Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
(847) 925-6707
Morraine Valley Community College
- 9000 West College Parkway Palos Hills, IL 60465
Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
(708) 974-4300
Rockford Career College
- 1130 South Alpine Rd. Rockford, IL 61108
Programs: CNA, Medical Assistant
(815) 965-8616
South Suburban College
- 15800 South State Street South Holland, IL 60473
Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, Radiography, RN
(708) 596-2000
Robert Morris University
- 3101 Montvale Drive Springfield, IL 62704
Programs: Medical Assistant
(217) 793-2500
Waubonsee Community College
- Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive Sugar Grove, IL 60554
Programs: ADN, Medical Assistant, RN
(630) 466-7900