Did you know that healthcare workers account for nearly 14% of the U.S. workforce? There are approximately 22 million working individuals in the health field, and it is one of the fastest-growing industries nationally.

Obtaining a medical assistant certification can give you the edge needed in the health industry. Whether you want a change in careers or are looking at ways to gain experience, online certifications could be the ideal route for you.

When looking at getting a medical assistant certification in Illinois, there are a few factors to consider. These include online course options, added course specializations, and licensure opportunities.

Luckily, in our complete guide, we will go over why you should get a medical assistant certification in Illinois and how to get started! Keep reading on for more information.

Medical Assistant Certification in Illinois

In Illinois, medical assistants do not need licensure or a certificate. However, since many states and clinics require one, it helps to have completed a nationally-recognized CCMA program and passed the national exam.

A certification can affect pay, job competition, and further training or certificates. The job outlook for medical assistants is very promising. Achieving a higher level of education and training will give you more bargaining power for:

• Pay
• Where to work
• Benefits

The Chicago, Illinois, region is one of the highest metropolitan growth areas for medical assistants. The average hourly wage is $18.71, equating to $38,910 annually. With more years of experience and training, the top 90% of medical assistants average over $23 per hour.

Between 2020 and 2030, medical assistant opportunities are expected to grow by 18%. In large part, this is due to an aging population, limited healthcare workers, and added strain from the COVID-19 pandemic. Other healthcare projection growths for the same period are around 16%.

In Illinois, you will likely have more job opportunities in metropolitan areas such as Chicago. These jobs are higher paying and have greater options for healthcare specializations. The highest paying opportunities are in laboratories, outpatient centers, and hospitals.

Medical Assistant Job Duties

As the name sounds, medical assistants will assist other clinicians in their duties, including clinical and administrative work. Here is a more comprehensive list:

• Administer injections (depending on state)
• Assisting physicians with patient exams
• Collect specimens
• Administrative duties (e.g., paperwork, schedule patients, check-in patients)
• Obtain patient history
• Measure and obtain vitals
• Basic first aid and lab tests

Medical assistants must have direct oversight by a licensed and qualified physician. Some of the fields that medical assistants can work in are hospitals, outpatient offices, nursing homes, and rehab facilities. You may also see medical assistants in highly specialized areas like pediatrics, cardiology, and hospice.

Medical Assistant Training

To obtain licensure and further your skills as a medical assistant, it helps to have the right training on board. There are two routes you can take:

• In-person
• Online

For most people, online offers better flexibility and reduces expenses for travel. To begin classwork, you must be 18 years or older. A high school diploma or GED is strongly encouraged but not required through some programs.

The CCMA course stands for Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. At minimum, the course requires six weeks to complete.

Although, students will have up to six months. During the program, you must complete 996 hours of course instruction and 204 hours of clinical rotation. Some of the materials covered in this coursework are:

• SOAP note charting
• How to check and monitor vitals
• HIPAA and OSHA regulations
• Injections (e.g., intramuscular, intradermal, subcutaneous)
• Drug and pregnancy testing
• Communication skills
• Administrative tasks

After the course, you will need to complete a Medical Assistant Certification Exam through the AMCA, NCCT, or NHA. As a Certfied Medical Assistant, you will receive a CMA credential that can be used for continuing education and applications to various health programs such as medical school, nursing school, and more.

Types of Medical Assistant Programs

Obtaining a medical assistant certification online is one of the most popular routes, but you can choose in-person courses. These in-person CCMA courses teach the same classes and modules as the online format, but they can be completed in seven weeks.

Other courses you can combine with medical assistant programs are EKG technician and phlebotomist. Through Phlebotomy Career Training, there are five medical assistant program tiers:

• CCMA certification
• Medical Assistant Certification tier II
• Medical Assistant Certification tier III
• Medical Assistant Certification tier IV
• Medical Assistant Certification tier V

Tier II coursework will certify you as a medical assistant, EKG technician, and phlebotomist. It includes 1200 hours for medical assistance, 40 hours for EKG, and 35 blood draws.

Tier III coursework provides eight certifications and is a step above tier II classes. You will receive a certificate for:

• Certified Medical Assistant
• Phlebotomy technician
• EKG technician
• IV technician

Since more certificates are included in this course, you should expect several more clinical rotations and study hours. Medical assistant tier IV classes expand on tier III, providing you with additional healthcare certifications for:

• Telemetry technician
• Pharmacy technician
• Medical billing and coding

Lastly, tier V classes are one of the most comprehensive coursework options for students. Along with previous certifications, you will also receive training as dialysis and mental health technician.

Find an Accredited Program Today

A medical assistant certification can take your skills in the healthfield to the next level, and provide you with an opportunity to broaden your job opportunities. As a certified medical assistant, you can work under the direction of a qualified clinician in multiple health settings.

At Phlebomoty Career Training, we offer various online and in-person classes. Whether you want a medical assistant program, or combined coursework, we have you covered. Ready to get started?

Register for our online classes today and start a new career path!

Nancy Kimmel, PhD MSN FNP-BC

Nancy L. Kimmel obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2002, then went on to teach Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University, Henry Ford College and Oakland University. She obtained her Associate in Nursing from Henry Ford College and then went on to earn her Master Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and became Board Certified working as a licensed FNP in the State of Michigan. She then went on to Medical School where she is now in her 3rd year, and is also in the process of obtaining her Doctorate in Nursing Practice through Chamberlin University. She has authored the NET Study Guide, as well a several books on subjects of Math, ECG/EKG and Phlebotomy. She holds a patent on an Air Filter through the U.S. Patent Office.