Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries In Idaho

Medical assistants can become nationally certified after attending a medical assisting school in Idaho and passing an exam.
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Updated June 27, 2023

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Programs, Certifications, Salaries & Job Growth Potential

With a projected growth rate of 22.6 percent for medical assistants from 2012-2022, Idaho offers the promise of many opportunities for employment now and in the future. Between public and private community colleges, vocational schools, and career colleges, there are plenty of options for medical assisting schools in Idaho. While salaries vary from city to city, on average Idaho medical assistants earn a salary comparable to the national average.

If pursuing a career in a burgeoning field is appealing, discover the requirements for becoming a medical assistant in Idaho including education, certification and programs.

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Top Idaho Colleges for Medical Assisting

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.

Idaho has a number of options available for aspiring health care professionals, specifically those interested in medical assisting. A degree or certificate in the field gets graduates in on the ground floor so they can start impacting others' lives for the better. Medical assistants work with patients and help to manage health care facilities, hospitals, clinics and physician offices, ensuring patients are taken care of and records are kept up-to-date. But navigating the list of quality medical assisting programs can be a challenge, which is why we've started the research for you. Here you'll find the 2017 Top Idaho Colleges for Medical Assisting.

  1. North Idaho College
    Location

    Coeur D'alene, ID

    North Idaho College offers medical assisting programs in both certificate form and in the form of an associate of applied science degree. Each of these programs will help to facilitate student advancement into their career of interest, and incorporate courses designed to develop a student's skills in medical office management, medical billing and coding, and medical ethics and laws. North Idaho College is an excellent option for students interested in beginning a college education, but are worried about the typically high prices of attending school at the college level; with low tuition rates and a variety of financial aid opportunities, earning a degree with North Idaho is an achievable goal.

  2. College of Eastern Idaho
    Location

    Idaho Falls, ID

    Medical clinics, hospitals, and urgent care centers are always in need of more medical assistants, which is why Eastern Idaho Technical College put together a degree program in medical assisting. Students enrolled in this program will become competent in understanding the medical business from both the clinical and the administrative side, making them highly marketable when it comes to post-graduation employment. EITC offers a large selection of degree emphases, varying from transferrable associate of art/science degrees, vocational associate of applied science degrees, or specialized skills certificates, ensuring all enrolled students will find a program of interest.

Spotlight on Idaho Medical Assisting Schools

As you begin to examine your options, here are several Idaho medical assisting programs available at community colleges, vocational schools, and universities in Idaho to get you started.

COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO

School Type:
Private College

Accreditation:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

School highlights:
Students combine classroom and lab instruction Monday through Friday.
The program includes a 180-hour practicum in a physician's office.
Graduates may sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Credential exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Programs offered:
Technical certificate, medical assistant

College of Southern Idaho

LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE

School Type:
Technical College

Accreditation:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs

School highlights:
Graduates can sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam.

Courses include pharmacology, medical transcription, and a clinical experience.

The medical assisting degree programs are part of the Business Technology & Services Division of the school.

Programs offered:
Associate of Applied Science, medical assistant
Bachelor of Applied Science, medical assistant

Lewis-Clark State College

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY

School Type:
State University

Accreditation:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs

School highlights:
The program accepts 18 students each year beginning in January.
94 percent of medical assistant graduates of this program were employed or continuing their education in 2015.
Graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

Programs offered:
Associate of Applied Science, medical assisting
Bachelor of Applied Science, medical assisting
Bachelor of Science in Health Science, medical assisting

Idaho State University

Medical Assistant Training & Certification Requirements in Idaho

1. How does Idaho define the role of a medical assistant?

Medical assistants in Idaho are unlicensed support staff members who assist physicians and other healthcare professionals in completing administrative and clinical tasks. They carry out basic procedures, such as taking vitals or administering injections, in medical clinics, private practices, and hospitals and perform the administration duties that are necessary to keep front offices working smoothly.

2. Does Idaho require certification?

Idaho does not require medical assistants to be licensed, registered or certified to work in the state. However, because many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, there may be fewer medical assistant jobs in Idaho available for those who are not certified.

3. Is certification available?

Medical assistants can become nationally certified after attending a medical assisting school in Idaho and passing an exam. During the certification process, medical assistants gain valuable hands-on experience which can help them stand out to potential employers. Approved national certifications include (but are not limited to):

  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) - Certified by American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) - Certified by American Medical Technologists (AMT)
  • National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) - Certified by National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

4. Does a medical assistant need training and education to work in Idaho?

Under Idaho law, medical assistants are considered UAP (unlicensed assistive personnel). Formal education or other training is not required for UAP to perform routine clinical duties as long as they work under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. However, formal training as part of a diploma, certificate or associate degree program prepares graduates to perform clinical tasks including (but not limited to):

  • Collect blood and other specimens
  • Administer or disconnect IVs
  • Perform skin tests
  • Take and record vital signs
  • Complete basic lab procedures

5. Are there additional requirements?

After completing a board-approved certificate course, Assistance for Medication for Unlicensed Assistive Personnel, medical assistants may assist patients who cannot independently administer medications. This course is part of the medical assistant curriculum at the following post-secondary technical education colleges in Idaho as of spring 2016, but please check with schools directly for the most recent information:

North Idaho College of Applied TechnologyEastern Idaho Technical College
Lewis-Clark State College School of TechnologyCollege of Southern Idaho
Idaho State University College of TechnologyCollege of Western Idaho

Medical Assistant Salaries in Idaho

The 2014 salary figures below from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compare earnings for medical assistants in Idaho with wages nationally.

 Annual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
Idaho$25,850$29,330$34,240$14.10
National$25,500$29,960$36,070$14.41
Source: BLS, 2014

City Salaries for Medical Assistants in Idaho

While salaries for medical assistants in Idaho vary depending on geographical location, the BLS wage amounts from 2014 below illustrate the similarity among salaries in the Gem State. Those in medical assistant jobs in Idaho Falls, ID earn slightly more, while those in Lewiston earn a bit less.

     
AreaAnnual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
Boise City-Nampa, ID$26,060$29,320$34,110$14.10
Coeur d'Alene, ID$25,860$29,780$34,570$14.32
Idaho Falls, ID$26,730$29,970$35,640$14.41
Lewiston, ID-WA$23,920$29,700$35,590$14.28
Pocatello, ID$25,710$29,320$33,980$14.10
Source: BLS, 2014

An aging baby-boom population and increased access to health insurance both contribute to the demand for healthcare support jobs in the U.S. The projected growth rate for medical assistant jobs in Idaho is 22.6%, which reflects a need for medical support personnel to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, freeing physicians to see more patients. The table below compares projected job growth for medical assistants in Idaho with the national figures.

Medical Assistant Estimated Employment Growth 2012-2022

 Average Annual
Openings
Current
Employment
Projected
Employment 2022
Jobs
Added
Growth
Rate
Idaho902,2402,75051022.6%
National26,990560,800723,700162,90029%
*Source: Projections Central, 2012-2022

Resources for Idaho Medical Assistants

2015 Medical Assisting Compensation and Benefits Report
This report is based on a survey of medical assistants across the country by the American Association of Medical Assistants to compare earnings and benefits.

American Association of Medical Assistants
AAMA is a member organization that provides education, certification, credential acknowledgment, and networking opportunities to medical assistants in the U.S., including those in Idaho.AAMA Idaho Chapters:Idaho Falls Medical Assistants.
Magic Valley Medical Assisting Chapter of AAMA
North Idaho Panhandle Medical Assistants AAMA

Assistance with Medications for Unlicensed Personnel Curriculum Guide
This course, offered at six post-secondary technical education colleges in Idaho, prepares students to assist patients who cannot independently administer medications.

The Lawful Scope of Practice of Medical Assistants - 2012 Update
Download this article from the website of the American Medical Technologists (AMT) to learn about state laws affecting the authority of physicians to delegate clinical tasks to medical assistants in several states, including Idaho.

Salary.com, Idaho Medical Assistants
Discover salaries for medical assistants in Idaho and read job listings.

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