Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in Mississippi

The state does recognize that medical assistants can handle numerous tasks under the supervision of a physician, medical law and ethics and clinical procedures.
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Updated June 30, 2023

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Training, Certification Requirements & Earnings

Medical assistants in Mississippi can work with a long list of potential tasks, due to the fact that the state does not regulate medical assistants or define a scope of practice. Medical assistants might find work in a variety of settings, but will most likely find the highest number of openings in the offices of physicians. Whether the medical assistant chooses to help run the office through the front desk or works in the back office dealing with patients' medical care, the appropriate training can be found in the Magnolia State.

This guide focuses not only on those training opportunities, but on what graduates can expect from employment trends and salary options as well.

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Top Colleges for Medical Assisting: Mississippi

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.

Health care is a growing field, one with a wide range of options when you start as a medical assistant. This is a great opportunity if you enjoy organizing records and working directly with both patients and medical professionals. But you need to find the right program; one that offers small class sizes, quality career assistance, guidance options and that's ranked high by current and former students. We looked at those factors and more to bring you our list of Top Colleges for Medical Assisting in 2017 for Mississippi.

#1 Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in Mississippi

Hinds Community College

  • Raymond, MS
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Located in Raymond, Hinds Community College offers a variety of academic programs in person and online. One option includes the school's health care assistant program. Students complete coursework, attend industry-relevant lectures, and can pursue further learning through internships and research projects.

Enrollees can attend classes online or on campus. Of its programs, 21% allow for fully online study. Learners seeking academic and career guidance can benefit from the college's many resources, such as career services and academic advising.

Hinds Community College at a Glance:

Total Academic Programs: 121

Number of Online Programs: 25

Admission Rate: Data not available

Graduation Rate: 33%

Percent of Students Awarded Aid: 89%

Average Amount of Aid Awarded: $5,557

Percent of Students Awarded Loans: 33%

Average Amount of Loans Awarded: $4,675

Average Price After Aid: $3,775

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$3,200
Out-of-state
$6,250
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
60%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
11,827
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
37% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#2 Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in Mississippi

Northeast Mississippi Community College

  • Booneville, MS
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Northeast Mississippi Community College reaches learners worldwide through its flexible academic programs, available in person and online. Learners looking to advance in the medical assisting field should consider the school's medical assisting technology program. Students benefit from a supportive learning community, customizable study, and a 24-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Working professionals and busy students benefit from the program's flexibility. Enrollees can learn in person or online. Leading in online education, the college supports 52 online degrees. Enrollees benefit from access to campus resources, such as career services and academic advising.

Northeast Mississippi Community College at a Glance:

Total Academic Programs: 95

Number of Online Programs: 52

Admission Rate: Data not available

Graduation Rate: 30%

Percent of Students Awarded Aid: 99%

Average Amount of Aid Awarded: $5,761

Percent of Students Awarded Loans: 18%

Average Amount of Loans Awarded: $2,786

Average Price After Aid: $5,908

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$3,310
Out-of-state
$6,290
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
68%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
3,606
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
58% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#3 Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in Mississippi

Meridian Community College

  • Meridian, MS
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Meridian Community College is a Meridian-based college supporting academic programs in dual modalities. The school's medical assisting technology program builds theoretical and practical knowledge, preparing candidates for many careers in the field. The program boasts a 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, enabling collaborative endeavors such as faculty-driven research projects.

Enrollees can complete the program in person or remotely. At the college, 11% of all programs accommodate remote learning. Throughout their studies, learners can access academic advising, career services, and other institutional resources.

Meridian Community College at a Glance:

Total Academic Programs: 57

Number of Online Programs: 6

Admission Rate: Data not available

Graduation Rate: 36%

Percent of Students Awarded Aid: 92%

Average Amount of Aid Awarded: $4,739

Percent of Students Awarded Loans: 10%

Average Amount of Loans Awarded: $4,097

Average Price After Aid: $6,247

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$3,024
Out-of-state
$4,004
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
56%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
3,402
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
29% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Mississippi Medical Assistant Certification & Scope of Practice

1.How does Mississippi define medical assisting?

Mississippi does not specifically define what a medical assistant is, beyond considering them an allied health professional. The state does recognize that medical assistants can handle numerous tasks under the supervision of a physician, and that it is unlawful for a medical assistant to describe themselves as a physician, physician's assistant or nurse.

2.Is certification required?

The state of Mississippi does not have any regulations regarding medical assistants beyond the rules of what a physician can delegate. This means the state does not require certification. However, many employers do. In a competitive job market, it could pay for a medical assistant to earn certification, as it might make them stand out from the crowd of applicants.

3.Is certification available?

Those who want to work as medical assistants in Mississippi and prefer to earn certification can do so through one of the following organizations:

  • American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
  • American Medical Technologists (AMT)
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
  • National Certification Career Association (NCCA)

4.Is formal education and training required?

Mississippi does not require formal training for medical assistants. However, graduation from an approved training program is required if a medical assistant wants to become certified.

5.Are there additional requirements?

Those who work as medical assistants must follow certain guidelines while on the job. These include:

  • Never describing themselves as a physician, physician's assistant or nurse
  • Wearing a nametag, placard or plate at all times they are on duty, identifying them as a medical assistant

6.Are there tasks outside the scope of medical assistants in Mississippi?

Though the law in Mississippi gives wide latitude to medical assistants and what tasks they can undertake, physicians must adhere to state law concerning what can be delegated to medical assistants. The only specific guidelines are as follows:

  • A medical assistant shall never be delegated a task that falls outside the realm of their training or education.
  • The medical assistant must be under direct supervision at all times.
  • The medical assistant cannot be delegated a task that requires a license. For instance, medical assistants cannot write prescriptions, as that is only under the auspices of a medical doctor.

Salaries for Medical Assistants in Mississippi

The wage for medical assistants varies from one state to another; in Mississippi, the annual median wage tends to be lower than that of medical assistants nationwide. The following table offers in-depth information on medical assisting salaries.

 Annual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
Mississippi$22,080$26,060$30,310$12.53
National$25,500$29,960$36,070$14.41

Source: BLS, 2014

Mississippi City and Metropolitan Area Salaries

Within the state, salaries for medical assistants can vary widely, depending upon the geographical location. Typically, those areas near large cities will offer the highest wages; for instance, those working in or near Jackson, MS are likely to see higher wages than those working in non-metropolitan areas. The following chart breaks down the median wages throughout the state.

AreaAnnual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS$20,050$24,240$30,660$11.65
Hattiesburg, MS$23,130$27,250$31,080$13.10
Jackson, MS$24,610$28,210$32,850$13.56
Pascagoula, MS$22,860$26,660$30,240$12.82
Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area$22,810$26,420$29,700$12.70
Northwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area$20,120$22,270$24,520$10.71
Southeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area$19,520$22,360$26,300$10.75
Southwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area$21,060$23,260$27,450$11.18

Source: BLS, 2014

Employment of medical assistants is growing across the nation, and Mississippi is no exception. Those in Mississippi can expect to see over 21 percent employment growth from 2012 to 2022 in the field of medical assisting; the chart below offers more insight.

Medical Assistant Estimated Employment Growth 2012-2022

 Average Annual
Openings
Current
Employment
Projected
Employment 2022
Jobs
Added
Growth
Rate
Mississippi801,9302,34041021.2%
National26,990560,800723,700162,90029%

*Source: Projections Central, 2012-2022

Spotlight School: Mississippi Medical Assisting

There are several schools in Mississippi that offers an accredited program in medical assisting at the certificate, diploma or associate's degree level. Learn what this spotlighted school offers its medical assisting students.

NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

School Type:Public College
Accreditation:CAAHEP
School highlights:In addition to being able to get either a certificate or associate's degree in medical assisting, students can eventually get a bachelor's degree using credits obtained in their medical assisting program. Graduates will be ready to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant certification exam.

Programs offered:The college offers an associate's degree and a certificate in medical assisting. The certificate program takes 11 months to complete and consists of 44 credits, while the associate's degree consists of 69 credits and requires about two years of study.

Northeast Mississippi Community College

Mississippi Medical Assistant Resources

American Association of Medical Assistants
One of the most popular and widespread medical assistant certifications is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification, which is administered by the AAMA. The AAMA is also involved in medical assisting education and professional development.

Medical Assurance Company of Mississippi
This document discusses scope of practice for medical assistants in Mississippi.

Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure - Policies
The official board of licensure policies that delineate the scope of tasks a physician may delegate to medical assistants.

National Center for Competency Testing
The NCCT runs the examination that results in the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) certification. The NCMA medical assisting certification is one of a handful of medical assisting certifications that are recognized by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

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