Becoming a Medical Assistant in Mississippi allows you to make a living wage without attending more than a year or two of school.
You will probably end up working full time before you finish your training.
Page Navigation
Licensing Requirements to Become a Medical Assistant in Mississippi
The state of Mississippi does not have any guidelines for licensing to become a Medical Assistant.
However, healthcare centers and credentialing bodies have held a standard that the state does respect.
It is better to become nationally certified because you will not be as limited as if you are not certified.
Types of certifications you can earn in Mississippi include the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certificate offered by The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Other certification options include the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) offered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the Medical Assistant (MA) certificate offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
5 Medical Assistant Schools in Mississippi
1. Blue Cliff College
This school provides a Clinical Medical Assistant Diploma program that prepares you for exam room protocol.
You will also learn medical terms, the body’s anatomy, and all the other information an MA needs to know about how the body works.
This instruction prepares you for a variety of roles, such as being a Medical Assistant, Medical Office Administrator, Medical Receptionist, and Medical Technician or Cardiac Technician.
Training lasts about nine months if enrolled full-time, and night school takes about 15 months to complete.
2. Delta Technical College
The Delta Medical Assistant training will take you nine months.
This includes 135 hours of outside training plus 225 hours of externship time.
You can sign up during the day or the evening on some campuses.
Practice takes place in simulated lab environments, and you’ll receive on-the-job training.
Learn EKG, X-ray, and first aid, and find out how to perform routine lab tests.
Your coursework will also cover HIPAA compliance and insurance coding.
In addition, you will become accustomed to handling medications as directed by a doctor and receive an understanding of Electronic Health Records.
3. Meridian Community College
Meridian offers a Medical Assisting Technology training track.
This will prepare you for work in an ambulance as an EMT.
You will also receive an experience that prepares you for work in offices and clinics.
It is 65 hours and also provides you with clinical experience by providing testing on patients and becoming familiar with medications upon physician direction.
4. Medical2
The nine-month certificate program from Medical provides you with at-home training during the first four and a half months.
Then, you will have four hours of classroom work on Fridays and 160 hours of training in a medical clinic.
Topics covered include lab diagnostics and specimen sample assistance.
In addition, you will learn important medical terms and how the human body works.
5. Mississippi State University (MSU)
MSU offers continuing education (CE) extension course that takes 12 months and prepares you for a CCMA.
The voucher for an exam is included in the tuition.
Learn about medications and how to provide ethical medical care while respecting a patient’s privacy.
In addition, you will practice patient check-in and check-out procedures and identify body parts, including organs, tissues, cavities, and systems.
This instruction will also prepare you for how to respond in certain situations, especially when dealing with patients during an emergency.
Medical Assistant Schools in Mississippi – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Mississippi
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Blue Cliff College | 12251 Bernard Pkwy, Gulfport, MS 39503 |
| Delta Technical College | 6530 Interstate Blvd, Horn Lake, MS 38637 |
| Meridian Community College | 910 Hwy 19 N, Meridian, MS 39307 |
| Medical2 | 1830A N Gloster St, Tupelo, MS 38804 |
| Mississippi State University | 75 B. S. Hood Rd, Mississippi State, MS 39762 |
Salary
The average Medical Assistant salary totals $32,985 as reported on May 27, 2022.
The yearly earnings range from $30,411 to $35,618.
You can increase your earnings if you continue to update your education.
An MA could make $38,015 or more, and cities, where you can find jobs, include Flowood, Jackson, Hamilton, or Laurel.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Medical Assistants in Mississippi
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $33,935 |
| Gulfport | $33,338 |
| Biloxi | $33,603 |
| Hattiesburg | $33,129 |
| Greenville | $33,706 |
| Meridian | $33,607 |
| Tupelo | $31,984 |
| Southaven | $35,082 |
| Olive Branch | $34,994 |
| Pascagoula | $33,334 |
Regional Salary in Mississippi
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 640 | $33,400 | $16.06 | $38,190 | $28,290 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 330 | $33,480 | $16.1 | $42,360 | $24,720 |
| Jackson, MS | 780 | $36,520 | $17.56 | $45,160 | $28,840 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a Mississippi Medical Assistant?
You can start your on-the-job training in as little time as a few weeks.
However, your certificate program may take you up to a year.
If you decide you want to earn an associate degree, that could take you up to two years.
What do I need to do to become a Mississippi Medical Assistant?
Make sure you find a school that prepares you to take a national certification exam.
That training must also provide you with onsite clinical practice, so you are ready to work full time when done with your schooling.
How much does Mississippi Medical Assistant training cost?
It may cost you only a couple of thousand dollars to start.
However, you may need additional instruction if you want to move beyond the entry-level skill set you began with.
What will I learn in a Medical Assistant program?
Your training teaches you both clinical skills that enable you to work directly with patients.
In addition, your courses will cover healthcare ethics and patient privacy.
You will also know how to schedule appointments and greet patients when they first walk into the room.
What does a Medical Assistant do all day in Mississippi?
You might welcome new patients and help them sign up for care.
In addition, you would spend your time making sure people seeking treatment are comfortable.
You would also take vital signs, perform an EKG heart reading or draw blood samples for testing.
