Earning Trends, Job Growth & Training
New Jersey has enacted strict rules and regulations about what medical assistants can and cannot do, and the state encourages students to obtain a formal education and certification before seeking a job. This is good news for New Jersey medical assistants, because those regulations protect them and the patients they serve. Whether students opt to work in the front office or back office, they can expect to learn the skills to handle both in an accredited medical assisting program.
Read on to learn more about medical assistant employment trends, salaries and certification requirements in New Jersey.
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Best Medical Assisting Schools in New Jersey
OUR METHODOLOGY +
Medical assisting is a growing field, and the number of programs available is also growing. Earning a degree in the field allows graduates the ability to work directly with patients, affecting their quality of care in a positive way and helping physicians. But it's important to find a program that meets your professional needs—whether you plan to go on to further education or not. Our list of the Top Colleges for Medical Assisting in New Jersey is your first step. We researched which schools have the most program options and services as well as tuition costs and class sizes and ranked the results to compile this list.
We use datasets from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
#1 Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in New Jersey
Raritan Valley Community College
Branchburg, NJ - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Raritan Valley Community College, a public college, is located in Branchburg, New Jersey. The school's medical assisting certificate program prepares students for medical assisting careers through foundational and specialized coursework. Students benefit from a supportive learning community, a customizable curriculum, and a 20-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Learners seeking further opportunities for study can pursue internships or collaborate with faculty on research projects. The college reports that 4% of its degree programs sustain online study. All learners can access institutional resources while enrolled, and they can receive personal and professional guidance.
Raritan Valley Community College at a Glance:
Total Academic Programs: 79
Number of Online Programs: 3
Graduation Rate: 28%
Percent of Students Awarded Aid: 49%
Average Amount of Aid Awarded: $5,282
Percent of Students Awarded Loans: 7%
Average Amount of Loans Awarded: $4,732
Average Price After Aid: $6,583
#2 Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in New Jersey
Warren County Community College
Washington, NJ - 2 years
- Campus
Warren County Community College provides diverse learning opportunities from its main campus in Washington, New Jersey. The college's AAS in medical assisting provides students with transferable skills and knowledge necessary for the medical assisting field. Learners benefit from a 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, with many chances to interact closely with professors.
Depending on their needs, students can complete the medical assisting program in person. While enrolled, students benefit from academic and professional guidance through academic advising, career services, and other campus resources.
Warren County Community College at a Glance:
Total Academic Programs: 32
Graduation Rate: 43%
Percent of Students Awarded Aid: 63%
Average Amount of Aid Awarded: $5,619
Percent of Students Awarded Loans: 3%
Average Amount of Loans Awarded: $4,195
Average Price After Aid: $5,717
#3 Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in New Jersey
Hudson County Community College
Jersey City, NJ - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Students looking for a competitive, flexible education should consider Hudson County Community College. The college's AAS in medical assisting provides students with transferable skills and knowledge necessary for the medical assisting field. Students benefit from learning opportunities within and beyond the classroom and can pursue collaborative projects such as faculty-driven research and internships.
Depending on their needs, students can complete the medical assisting program in person or online. Approximately 13% of the college's programs include online options. Career services and academic advising are just two of the many campus resources available to learners.
Hudson County Community College at a Glance:
Total Academic Programs: 39
Number of Online Programs: 5
Graduation Rate: 13%
Percent of Students Awarded Aid: 74%
Average Amount of Aid Awarded: $6,112
Percent of Students Awarded Loans: 8%
Average Amount of Loans Awarded: $4,829
Average Price After Aid: $7,193
Training & Certifications for Medical Assistants in New Jersey
1.How does New Jersey define medical assisting?
New Jersey has stringent policies governing medical assistants. The New Jersey Office of Career and Technical Education defines medical assistants as "individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to provide medical office administrative services and perform clinical duties including patient intake and care, routine diagnostic and recording procedures, pre-examination and examination assistance, and the administration of medications and first aid."
2.Are medical assistants in New Jersey required to be certified?
Though some can begin their medical assisting career without certification, obtaining certification may be necessary in order to participate in some of the tasks that medical assistants would normally do. For instance, only a certified medical assistant can perform injections. Due to this, medical assistants in New Jersey would be well advised to seek certification.
3.Is New Jersey certification available?
Certification is available through national certifying agencies. New Jersey recognizes all certifications that are acceptable to the State Board of Medical Examiners, including, but not limited, to Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
4.Is formal medical assistant training required?
Since certification is strongly suggested, aspiring medical assistants should consider completing the requirements to obtain that certification. That means that formal education or training is required. This education can be earned through several schools in New Jersey.
5.Are there tasks outside the scope of medical assistants in New Jersey?
New Jersey medical assistants enjoy a wide range of clinical duties, many of which are prohibited in other states. For instance, medical assistants can independently position patients for x-rays, apply casts and assist with minor surgical procedures. Though medical assistants can provide injections, there are some limits placed on this. These include:
- Local anesthetics
- Experimental drugs (including those that are not FDA approved)
- Antineoplastic chemotherapeutic agents (except corticosteroids)
- Controlled dangerous substances
- Allergenic testing or treatment
North Dakota Medical Assistant Salaries
Medical assistants in New Jersey might be pleased to learn that median wages for the profession are higher than the national average. A breakdown on this information is included below.
Annual Wage 25th percentile | Annual Wage Median | Annual Wage 75th percentile | Hourly Wage Median | |
---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey | $27,730 | $32,600 | $37,350 | $15.67 |
National | $25,500 | $29,960 | $36,070 | $14.41 |
Source: BLS, 2014
New Jersey City and Metropolitan Area Salaries
Where someone works in New Jersey has a strong impact on how much money they might make. When it comes to geographical location, the rule of thumb is that those who live in or near large metropolitan areas make more; however, that is not always the case. For a look at how geographical region affects medical assisting salaries in New Jersey, see the chart below.
Area | Annual Wage 25th percentile | Annual Wage Median | Annual Wage 75th percentile | Hourly Wage Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $26,690 | $29,660 | $34,590 | $14.26 |
Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division | $28,310 | $32,640 | $36,970 | $15.69 |
Edison-New Brunswick, NJ Metropolitan Division | $27,070 | $30,920 | $36,150 | $14.87 |
Newark-Union, NJ-PA Metropolitan Division | $29,620 | $34,140 | $38,090 | $16.41 |
Ocean City, NJ | $22,650 | $26,460 | $31,400 | $12.72 |
Trenton-Ewing, NJ | $28,000 | $33,160 | $38,260 | $15.94 |
Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ | $22,460 | $29,690 | $35,350 | $14.27 |
Source: BLS, 2014
New Jersey Medical Assistant Job Trends
New Jersey expects to add about 600 new jobs each year for medical assistants from 2012 to 2022, a growth rate of over 21 percent. A breakdown on employment trends is included below.
Medical Assistant Estimated Employment Growth 2012-2022
Average Annual Openings | Current Employment | Projected Employment 2022 | Jobs Added | Growth Rate | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey | 600 | 14,680 | 17,840 | 3,160 | 21.5% |
National | 26,990 | 560,800 | 723,700 | 162,900 | 29% |
*Source: Projections Central, 2012-2022
New Jersey Medical Assisting School Spotlight
New Jersey is home to several accredited medical assisting schools offering various levels of education. For an idea of what's available, take a look at this spotlight school.
WARREN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
School Type:
Public College
Accreditation:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
School highlights:
After completing the medical assisting program, students are prepared to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam. A portion of the students' general education credits may be transferred to a four-year institution if another degree is desired.
Programs offered:
The medical assisting associate degree consists of 63 credits. In addition to receiving an associate's degree, students will also receive a certificate in medical assisting.
Warren County Community College
New Jersey Medical Assistant Resources
Licensure Requirements for Medical Assistants in New Jersey
This statute sets forth the requirements for those who want to work as teachers of medical assistant programs in New Jersey; this also has information on medical assistants.
New Jersey Society of Medical Assistants
The New Jersey Society of Medical Assistants is a professional organization and affiliate of the AAMA which aims to help promote the interests of New Jersey medical assistants and improve the care provided by medical assistants.
New Jersey Statute - Delegation of Injection Tasks to Medical Assistants
This is the administrative code regarding injection-related tasks that may be performed by certified medical assistants in New Jersey.