Medical assistants record patient history, measure vital signs, and help physicians and nurses in hospitals and clinical settings.
This high–demand career is expected to grow 16% through 2031, so now is a great time to jump into this important and rewarding profession.
Best of all, you can become a medical assistant after only a year of education following high school.
The Best Free Online Medical Assistant Classes & Programs
Continue reading for details on the best medical assistant classes and programs, all available online at no charge.
1. Alison
Alison is an online learning platform with hundreds of free courses available for anyone who wants to enroll.
Because Alison's courses are all self–paced, you can complete your studies when and where it's convenient for you.
Alison offers a number of introductory courses that will help prepare you for a career as a medical assistant.
While you can't earn a medical assistant certificate through Alison, the available courses offer certificates of completion.
2. Florida Vocational Institute School of Nursing and Technology
While the medical assistant diploma program offered by the Florida Vocational Institute (FVI) isn't free, financial aid is available.
If you're a low–income student, it's possible to completely cover your tuition with a combination of grants and scholarships.
FVI medical assistant courses are offered either online or on the school's Miami or Miramar campuses. Online courses are synchronous.
Students are also placed in internships and externships that last three to six months.
3. New York City College of Technology
The New York City College of Technology offers free medical assistant training to English language learners.
To qualify for the program, you must be a New York resident who has lived in the state for at least one year.
Qualified applicants also must demonstrate that they have a low to moderate income.
While the classroom portion of the program is online, the clinical labs are in–person through the SUNY Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center.
4. Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) offers free online medical assistant training to select Massachusetts residents.
To qualify, you must be unemployed or underemployed and live in Hampden, Hampshire, or Franklin County.
Applicants must also submit satisfactory background checks and drug screening results.
The program takes one year to complete and consists of online classes and in–person labs at the STCC campus in Springfield.
5. University of Washington
Through the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC), you can become a certified medical assistant in one year.
All classes are online. However, the program includes an apprentice program at UWMC, so you have to live in or near Seattle.
Apprentices work full–time and are paid $3,331 a month through the program and rotate through clinics.
After satisfactory completion of the program, apprentices must agree to work for UWMC for an additional two years as a medical assistant.
FAQs about Online Medical Assistant Programs
Keep reading for answers to the most frequently asked questions about medical assistant classes and programs available online.
How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?
The average salary of certified medical assistants is $37,190 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Top paying states include Washington, the District of Columbia, Alaska, California, and Minnesota.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?
If you plan on getting certified, you need to at least earn a certificate from an accredited program.
Most certificate programs take about a year to complete after you graduate from high school.
Can I Get a Medical Assistant Certificate Completely Online?
No. While you can complete the classroom portion of the program online, clinical labs must be done in person.
This means the online program you choose needs to be local so you can attend those clinical sessions.
Most programs also offer paid internships or externships for students that provide hands–on training.
Do You Have to Be Certified to Work as a Medical Assistant?
No, most states don't require medical assistants to be certified or licensed.
However, getting your certification definitely increases your job prospects and will probably get you higher pay.
Find the Right Online Medical Assistant Programs Today
Contact Best Accredited Colleges today if you want more information on the best free online medical assistant classes and programs.
