Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in Kentucky

Check out the top ranked medical assistant programs, salary outlook, and certification requirements in Kentucky.
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Updated June 20, 2023

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Programs, Certifications, Earnings & Job Growth

The health care industry in Kentucky is a crucial and active part of the state's economy. The Bluegrass State is home to well-known health care companies, including Humana, and award-winning hospitals. Since January 2014, growth in the health and social assistance sector has outpaced state-wide employment growth, with more than 10,000 jobs added in the past two years, according to data from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. The state projects health care support jobs will continue to be the fastest expanding occupational group with an estimated 23 percent growth through 2022. Many of the jobs are expected to be new opportunities rather than replacement positions.

A career as a medical assistant could offer an excellent opportunity to be a part of Kentucky's economic success.

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Best Medical Assisting Colleges in Kentucky

OUR METHODOLOGY+

To be considered for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria:

  • Accredited at the institutional level
  • Private nonprofit or public school
  • Minimum of 1 bachelor's or master's degree in subject area for 4-year schools
  • Minimum of 1 associate degree or certificate program in subject area for 2-year schools

Schools were then scored on factors such as:

  • Cost & Financial Aid
  • Number and variety of program offerings
  • Student-teacher ratios
  • Graduation rates (4-year schools only)
  • Placement and support services offered
  • Academic/Career counseling services
  • Employment services
  • Loan default rates

These factors were assembled for each school and rated using a peer-based-value (PBV) calculation. PBV compares the cost of a program to the cost of other programs with the same (or similar) qualitative score and cost. PBV denotes the overall value or "bang for your buck" of a college or degree program.

A new career in medical assisting requires a certificate or degree in the field from an accredited institution. Graduates are able to get in on the ground floor of the health care industry, helping other professionals and patients in clinics, hospitals and physician offices. To get started, it's important to do your research and find the program that fits your personal and professional needs. We're meeting you halfway by providing this list of the Best Medical Assisting Colleges in Kentucky for 2017. See who made the cut below.

  • Salina Area Technical College
    Location

    Salina, KS

    In the span of nine months, students attending Salina Area Technical College can complete a program in medical assisting that will help to ensure their post-graduation job aspirations are achieved. Salina Tech’s degree emphasis selections are vast, guaranteeing students from all backgrounds will be able to find a program that matches their goals. Students can accelerate their learning by utilizing summer or winter courses, and may find achieve greater scheduling flexibility by enrolling in online class sessions. Students attending Salina Tech can earn a college degree without putting strain on their finances by applying for financial aid coverage.

  • Coffeyville Community College
    Location

    Coffeyville, KS

    Beginning a career as a medical assistant is made easy with Coffeyville Community College’s one-year medical assisting program. Throughout this program, students will learn critical skills in hospital management, monitoring patient vital signs, and processing medical payment and insurance coverage, all of which are necessary for successful post-graduation job placement. Students attending CCC will be provided with all necessary student services that have been proven to improve success rates, including academic advisement and personal counseling offices. CCC’s classes are small, allowing students to have more interaction with their peers and professors.

  • WSU Tech
    Location

    Wichita, KS

    Whether a student is interested in completing a full two-year associate of applied science program, or they’re wanting to only take a few credits to complete a certificate, Wichita Area Technical College has a medical assisting program that will fit their needs. By completing one of these programs, students will heighten their career opportunities in a medical-based environment, such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, and medical clinics. If students want to attend WATC but are faced with an already busy schedule, they should consider WATC’s online learning opportunities, allowing them to further their education in their downtime.

Certification & Training Requirements for Medical Assistants in Kentucky

1. Is certification required?

Kentucky does not require medical assistants to be certified. Medical assistants are considered unlicensed personnel and can perform routine clinical tasks delegated to them by a physician or nurse. These tasks must be within the scope of practice for the supervising staff member, whether a physician or nurse, and not prohibited by law.

2. Is certification available in Kentucky?

Although Kentucky does not require medical assistants to be certified, employers increasingly require certification. Graduates of medical assistant programs in Kentucky are eligible to sit for national certification exams. Some exams (e.g. the NCMA exam) allow recent work experience to take the place of formal education. Below is a list of just some of the national certifications available to prospective medical assistants.

3. Is training or formal education required?

All national certification programs for medical assistants require some formal education, typically a high school diploma or GED and the completion of an accredited medical assistant program. In many states, including Kentucky, medical assistants performing tasks such as drawing blood samples, running laboratory tests, or utilizing special equipment are required to undergo additional training that may not be included in all medical assistant programs.

  
ProgramWebsite
Certified Medical Assistant, American Association of Medical AssistantsAmerican Association of Medical Assistants
American Registry of Medical Assistants, Registered Medical Assistants (RMA)American Registry of Medical Assistants
National Healthcareer Association, Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMA)National Healthcare Association

4. Are there additional requirements for medical assisting in Kentucky?

Depending on the types of tasks a medical assistant is expected to perform, additional training requirements may exist. Medical assistants in Kentucky must possess the additional training or experience to perform the following procedure, for example.

Use of medical laser equipment (exception for laser hair removal)Authorized for use only under the supervision of physician. Required to undergo equipment specific training and documented continuing education.

5. Are there healthcare support tasks outside the scope of medical assistants in Kentucky?

Certain clinical tasks constitute the practice of medicine and are reserved for licensed physicians, and in some cases, nurses. Kentucky does not permit medical assistants to perform the the following tasks or procedures.

  • Treat, diagnose or evaluate patients
  • Prescribing or renewing prescriptions
  • Any medical procedure that would constitute the practice of medicine

Salaries for Medical Assistants in Kentucky

Although salaries vary by location, the chart below compares Kentucky medical assistants' average hourly and annual earnings with national averages.

 Annual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
Kentucky$23,370$27,550$32,250$13.25
National$25,500$29,960$36,070$14.41
Source: BLS, 2014

Kentucky Medical Assistant Salaries: City and Metropolitan Areas

Medical assistant salaries in Kentucky's metropolitan areas, such as Lexington and Louisville, track closely with national averages. In rural areas, medical assistants earn slightly less. See the following chart for a breakdown of what medical assistants can expect in the state's various regions.

     
AreaAnnual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
Bowling Green$21,870$26,010$30,030$12.50
Lexington$25,520$29,310$34,660$14.09
Louisville$23,600$28,040$33,120$13.48
Eastern Kentucky(rural)$22,890$27,640$32,510$13.29
Western Kentucky (rural)$21,980$26,130$29,490$12.56
Source: BLS, 2014

According to projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care support occupations will grow at a record pace over the next decade. The Bureau includes medical assistant in its top twenty list of careers expected to have high employment growth through 2024. The outlook for Kentucky medical assistants is particularly good, with growth expected to exceed the national average by eight percent.

Medical Assistant Estimated Employment Growth 2012-2022

 Average Annual
Openings
Current
Employment
Projected
Employment 2022
Jobs
Added
Growth
Rate
Kentucky4407,92010,8502,93037%
National26,990560,800723,700162,90029%
*Source: Projections Central, 2012-2022

Kentucky Medical Assisting School Spotlight

While Kentucky is home to a number of well-known educational institutions, it also has a large network of smaller community colleges and vocational schools offering training programs, certificates, and associate degrees for prospective medical assistants. See what this spotlight school has to offer.

JEFFERSON COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

School Type:
Public Community College

Accreditation:
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

School highlights:
Offers a medical assisting program focused on ambulatory settings, specifically private physician's offices.
Five-year job placement average of 82 percent
Average pass rate for Certified Medical Assistant exam: 84 percent
Graduates can qualified as Certified Medical Assistants (CMA), Registered Medical Assistants (RMA), National Certified Medical Assistants (NCMA), & Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMA).

Programs offered:
Associate of Science, Medical Assisting

Jefferson Community and Technical College

Kentucky Medical Assistant Resources

Kentuckiana Works
The mission of Kentuckiana Works is to connect unemployed or underemployed individuals with training and job opportunities. It coordinates with employers throughout the state to provide pathways into a number of careers, including health care. The program's Health Career Center is located in Louisville and offers career assessments, training funds for in-demand occupations, job leads, career advice, work-based learning opportunities, and connections to top healthcare employers in the area.

Kentucky Department for Public Health
The Kentucky Department for Public Health lists vacancies in local health departments. The counties often have openings for health support positions in ambulatory, home, or clinical settings, and listings are organized by county. Even if a county is not currently hiring, the department provides contact information for the hiring supervisor so applicants can enquire about future opportunities.

Rural Health Information Hub
Formerly known as The Rural Assistance Center, RHIH provides information and resources about health care opportunities in Kentucky's rural areas. It also lists funding and grant sources for individuals pursuing careers in health care and health support occupations.

Train Kentucky
A function of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, Train Kentucky is a community education program designed to support health professionals working in the state. The website offers continuing education courses, both on-site and distance learning, often at no cost. Create an account to maintain a record of competency-based trainings completed and receive notification about future courses that may be of interest.

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