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Getting started with approved and accredited medical assistant programs in Pennsylvania is much more simple than many know. Today we will cover what it takes to enter the field of medical assisting in Pennsylvania, how to get certified, what the pay outlook is and more! Allied health in PA is in very high demand as are many of the medical field careers across the state and country.

Tips for How to become a medical assistant in PA

There is generally one major requirement for entry in to approved Pennsylvania medical assisting training and that is having a high school diploma or a GED. Keep reading to know what the steps are to become a Pennsylvania certified medical assistant.

5 Steps to Become a Pennsylvania Medical Assistant

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Step 1 – Do you want to become certified in PA as a Medical Assistant?

The state of Pennsylvania does not require that you get certified to become a medical assistant in the state. That being said, it is strongly recommended that you do for a few reasons. First is that you have a better chance to find a job as a medical assistant in Pennsylvania because most employers do prefer to hire certified medical assistants. Second is that you make more money due to your level of credentialing. There are more reasons but I think you get the picture. But, it is also important to know that employers do exist in PA that still hire non-certified medical assistants.

Step 2 – Pick the Right Level of Training for your Career

All Pennsylvania medical assistants have to either complete a certificate program or their associates degree to be a medical assistant. For more detailed information about the levels of education, see our resource here.
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Step 3 – Take Accredited Training in Pennsylvania for Medical Assisting

As mentioned, medical assistant education in Pennsylvania is governed by multiple agencies including the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Only those students who finish their classes at a program sanctioned by one of these organizations are allowed to challenge for certification. Below are the approved medical assistant courses in Pennsylvania that are approved by the ABHES and the CAAHEP.

Accredited medical assistant programs in PA

Berks Technical Institute – Medical Assisting Program
2205 Ridgewood Rd Wyomissing, PA 19610-1168
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 4/23/1992
Degrees: Associate
Program Director: Cynthia L. Bergenstock AAS, LPN
Phone: (484) 651-1853
cynthia.bergenstock@berks.edu
www.berks.edu

Bidwell Training Center – Medical Assisting Program
1815 Metropolitan Street Pittsburgh, PA 15233-2212
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/21/2012
Degrees: Diploma
Program Director: Jodi Johnson AS, CCMA
Phone: (412) 322-4000 Ext -221
jjohnson@manchesterbidwell.org
www.bidwelltraining.edu

Butler County Community College – Medical Assisting Program
107 College Drive Butler, PA 16002
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 3/25/2005
Degrees: Certificate
Program Director: Alyssa Gizienski
Phone: (724) 287-8711
alyssa.gizienski@bc3.edu
www.bc3.edu

Central Penn College – Medical Assisting Program
600 Valley Rd Summerdale, PA 17093-0309
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 8/19/1977
Degrees: Associate
Program Director: Nikki A Marhefka CMA (AAMA), EdM, MT (ASCP)
Phone: (717) 728-2216
nikkimarhefka@centralpenn.edu
www.centralpenn.edu

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology – Medical Assisting Program
540 N Harrison Road Pleasant Gap, PA 16823-8644
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/21/2007
Degrees: Diploma
Program Director: Katelyn Leathers AAS
Phone: (814) 359-2793 Ext -297
kleathers@cpi.edu
www.cpi.edu

Community College of Allegheny County-West Mifflin (South Campus) – Medical Assisting Program
1750 Clairton Road South Campus West Mifflin, PA 15122
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 7/19/1978
Degrees: Certificate
Program Director: Beverly Brady CMA (AAMA), AAS, RMA
Phone: (412) 469-6222
bbrady@ccac.edu
www.ccac.edu

Delaware County Community College – Medical Assisting Program
901 South Media Line Road Media, PA 19063-1027
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 10/18/1991
Degrees: Certificate
Program Director: Janet Ross CMA (AAMA), MPT
Phone: (610) 359-5144
jross11@dccc.edu
www.dccc.edu

Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center – Medical Assisting Program
1500 Fourth Avenue Altoona, PA 16602-3616
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 10/15/1999
Degrees: Diploma
Program Director: Karen Sybert CMA (AAMA), MS
Phone: (814) 946-8469
karen.sybert@gactc.edu
www.gactc.edu

Harrisburg Area Community College-Harrisburg Campus – Medical Assisting Program
1 HACC Dr Harrisburg, PA 17110-2999
Satellite Locations/Multiple Campuses
Gettysburg, PA
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 10/17/2003
Degrees: Certificate
Program Director: Malinda Rettinger BS, RMA (AMT)
Phone: (717) 221-1326
msrettin@hacc.edu
www.hacc.edu

Lehigh Carbon Community College – Medical Assisting Program
4525 Education Park Drive Schnecksville, PA 18078-2598
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 4/22/1983
Degrees: Associate
Program Director: Tina Van Buren MSN
Phone: (610) 799-1510
tvanburen@lccc.edu
www.lccc.edu

McCann School of Business and Technology – Allentown – Medical Assisting Program
2200 N Irving St Allentown, PA 18109-9601
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/20/2013
Degrees: Associate
Program Director: Clarissa A Lopez BA, NHA (CCMA)
Phone: (484) 223-4648
clarissa.lopez@faculty.mccann.edu
www.mccann.edu/campuses/mccann-allentown

Montgomery County Community College – Medical Assisting Program
101 College Dr Pottstown, PA 19464
Satellite Locations/Multiple Campuses
Blue Bell-Central
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/16/2005
Degrees: Certificate
Program Director: Kathleen A. Schreiner RN, MSHA
Phone: (610) 718-1812
kschreiner@mc3.edu
www.mc3.edu

Mount Aloysius College – Medical Assisting Program
7373 Admiral Peary Highway Cresson, PA 16630-1999
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 5/13/1993
Degrees: Associate
Program Director: Cheryl D. Kowalczyk CMA (AAMA), MSN, RN
Phone: (814) 886-6322
ckowalczyk@mtaloy.edu
www.mtaloy.edu

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College – Medical Assisting Program
101 Community College Way Johnstown, PA 15904-2949
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/16/2016
Degrees: Associate
Program Director: Gaynelle Schmieder RN, MEd, NCMA (NCCT)
Phone: (814) 262-6488
gschmieder@pennhighlands.edu
www.pennhighlands.edu

Pittsburgh Technical College – Medical Assisting Program
1111 McKee Road Oakdale, PA 15071-3211
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/15/2006
Degrees: Associate
Program Director: Teresa J Barbour MSN, CPC, RN, RMA (AMT)
Phone: (412) 809-5275
barbour.teresa@pti.edu
www.ptcollege.edu

Westmoreland County Community College – Medical Assisting Program
145 Pavilion Lane Science Hall Suite 3212 Youngwood, PA 15697
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 4/19/2002
Degrees: Diploma
Program Director: Amy Voytek MBA/MHA, MT, CT, RMA (AMT)
Phone: (724) 925-4140
voyteka@westmoreland.edu
www.westmoreland.edu

YTI Career Institute-Altoona – Medical Assisting Program
2900 Fairway Drive Altoona, PA 16602
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 3/15/2013
Degrees: Associate
Program Director: Vicki Kane MEd, CCMA
Phone: (814) 944-5643
vicki.kane@yti.edu
www.yti.edu

YTI Career Institute-Lancaster – Medical Assisting Program
3050 Hempland Road Lancaster, PA 17601-1310
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/21/2007
Degrees: Associate
Program Director: Elinore Leach RMA, CPT
Phone: (717) 295-1100
elinore.leach@yti.edu
www.yti.edu

YTI Career Institute-York – Medical Assisting Program
1405 Williams Road Learning Resource Center York, PA 17402-9012
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 3/15/2013
Degrees: Associate
Program Director: Angelia Kann BS, RMA (AMT)
Phone: (717) 757-1100 Ext -1254
angie.kann@yti.edu
www.yti.edu

Institute of Medical and Business Careers (Erie)
5617 West Ridge Road Erie, Pennsylvania 16506
ABHES ID#: I-103-01
Phone: (814) 835-7740
Fax: (814) 835-7743
Classroom Space:
5739 West Ridge Road Erie, Pennsylvania 16506
Medical Assisting – Diploma (Residential; Blended)
Medical Assisting Technician – Associate of Specialized Technology
Initial Year Accredited: 2015
Currently Accredited Through: February 28, 2020
Contact Details: Mr. Guy Euliano, Director
Email: guy.euliano@imbc.edu
www.imbc.edu

Institute of Medical and Business Careers (Pittsburgh)
133 Jefferson Road, Suite 101 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15235
ABHES ID#: I-103
Phone: (412) 244-3240
Fax: (412) 244-3241
Medical Assisting – Diploma (Residential; Blended)
Medical Assisting Technician – Associate of Specialized Technology
Initial Year Accredited: 2006
Currently Accredited Through: February 28, 2020
Contact Details: Ms. Jennifer Smith, Director
Email: jennifer.smith@imbc.edu
www.imbc.edu

Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology
1015 Industrial Park Drive Mount Braddock, Pennsylvania 15465
ABHES ID#: I-375-01
Phone: (724) 437-4600
Fax: (724) 437-6053
Clinical Medical Assistant – Diploma (Residential; Blended)
Medical Assisting – Associate in Specialized Business (Residential; Blended)
Initial Year Accredited: 2017
Currently Accredited Through: February 28, 2020
Contact Details: Ms. Pamela Hughes, Campus President
Email: phughes@piht.edu
www.piht.edu

South Hills School of Business & Technology (Altoona)
508 58th Street Altoona, Pennsylvania 16602
ABHES ID#: MA-489
Phone: (814) 944-6134
Fax: (814) 944-4684
Medical Assistant – Associate in Specialized Business Degree (AOS) (Residential)
Initial Year Accredited: 2013
Currently Accredited Through: February 28, 2024
Contact Details: Ms. Suzanne Feathers, Medical Assistant Program Coordinator
Email: sfeathers@southhills.edu
www.southhills.edu

South Hills School of Business & Technology (Lewiston)
124 East Market Street Lewistown, Pennsylvania 17044
ABHES ID#: MA-519
Phone: (717) 248-8140
Fax: (717) 248-9465
Medical Assistant – Associate in Specialized Business Degree (AOS) (Residential)
Initial Year Accredited: 2017
Currently Accredited Through: February 28, 2021
Contact Details: Ms. Laina DeCriscio, Medical Assistant Program Coordinator
Email: ldecriscio@southhills.edu
www.southhills.edu

South Hills School of Business & Technology (State College)
480 Waupelani Drive State College, Pennsylvania 16801
ABHES ID#: MA-423
Phone: (814) 234-7755
Fax: (814) 234-0926
Classroom Space:
3801 Enterprise Drive
State College, Pennsylvania 16801
Medical Assistant – Associate in Specialized Business Degree (AOS) (Residential)
Initial Year Accredited: 2011
Currently Accredited Through: February 28, 2023
Contact Details: Ms. Crystal Douglas, Medical Assistant Program Coordinator
Email: cdouglas@southhills.edu
www.southhills.edu

Step 4 – Complete Required Hours of Clinical Training in PA

Completing an authorized course is mandatory to become a medical assistant and with that requires clinical training requirements.

The mandated hours have to be satisfied before you’ll be allowed to challenge any certification tests.

Step 5 – Pass the Medical Assistant Certification Test for PA

Medical assistants in Pennsylvania are required to pass one of the five national certification tests to earn their certification. To see the parts of the exam and what they include, click here for a detailed look.

Medical Assisting Salary and Jobs Outlook in PA

Pennsylvania expects to see a 15% increase in medical assistant jobs. Check out income data for Pennsylvania with the table below.
LocationPay TypeLowMedianHigh
United StatesHourly$10.99$15.17$21.78
Yearly$22,870$31,540$45,310
PennsylvaniaHourly$10.76$14.52$20.12
Yearly$22,380$30,200$41,850
Newark-Union, NJ-PA Metropolitan DivisionHourly$12.54$17.39$24.29
Yearly$26,070$36,170$50,530
Lebanon, PA MSAHourly$12.57$16.12$20.05
Yearly$26,140$33,530$41,700
Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan DivisionHourly$11.12$15.90$22.23
Yearly$23,130$33,070$46,240
State College, PA MSAHourly$11.50$15.05$19.15
Yearly$23,920$31,310$39,830
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA MSAHourly$11.08$14.77$19.51
Yearly$23,050$30,710$40,570
Lancaster, PA MSAHourly$11.98$14.73$20.14
Yearly$24,930$30,640$41,900
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ MSAHourly$11.81$14.61$18.97
Yearly$24,560$30,390$39,460
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA MSAHourly$10.96$14.27$21.40
Yearly$22,800$29,690$44,510
Reading, PA MSAHourly$11.14$14.25$18.31
Yearly$23,180$29,640$38,080
York-Hanover, PA MSAHourly$10.48$14.21$19.31
Yearly$21,790$29,560$40,170
Pittsburgh, PA MSAHourly$11.25$14.17$18.57
Yearly$23,410$29,480$38,630
West Central Pennsylvania BOSHourly$10.52$13.76$18.39
Yearly$21,880$28,620$38,250
Northeastern Pennsylvania BOSHourly$10.33$13.60$18.40
Yearly$21,480$28,280$38,270
Williamsport, PA MSAHourly$10.27$13.42$22.16
Yearly$21,360$27,920$46,090
Johnstown, PA MSAHourly$10.06$13.39$19.78
Yearly$20,920$27,850$41,130
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA MSAHourly$10.00$13.07$17.72
Yearly$20,800$27,190$36,850
Erie, PA MSAHourly$9.66$12.97$17.84
Yearly$20,080$26,980$37,100
Far Western Pennsylvania BOSHourly$10.06$12.86$17.93
Yearly$20,930$26,750$37,300
Altoona, PA MSAHourly$8.92$12.84$18.13
Yearly$18,560$26,720$37,700

Local Medical Assisting Classes in PA

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