Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in North Carolina

Medical assistants provide essential support services in hospitals, medical clinics and doctors’ offices throughout the state of North Carolina. Although salaries for medical assisting jobs in North Carolina tend toward the lower end of the pay spectrum for medical services professionals, the expected growth in patient care in the coming years means that demand for skilled medical assistants will nevertheless expand to keep pace. To meet the need for health care support workers in the state, including medical assistants, 5,320 students attended 142 allied health programs in North Carolina in 2013, according to the NC Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program.

Keep reading to learn all about the educational requirements, salaries and job opportunities currently available for medical assistants in North Carolina.

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.

Medical assistants are part of an ever-growing support system in the health care industry. They work with patients to ensure their quality of care is sufficient and assist physicians and clinic staff by scheduling appointments and keeping track of patient records. If you’re interested in entering a career in medical assisting, start by doing your research to find a program that fits your needs. We’ve looked at the numbers and compiled our list of the Top Schools for Medical Assisting in North Carolina in 2017, based on student-to-faculty ratios, career placement services and other factors. Explore the top-ranking schools below.

There are dozens of accredited medical assisting educational programs to choose from in North Carolina, offered primarily by community colleges and vocational schools located in all corners of the state. The search tool below is designed to help students quickly locate those medical assisting schools in North Carolina that best suit their individual needs and preferences.

1. How is the term “medical assistant” defined in North Carolina?

North Carolina law does not offer a specific definition for the medical assistant occupation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, provides this short working description of what medical assistants do: “Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice.”

2.Does North Carolina law offer any guidance regarding the roles and scope of practice of medical assistants working in the state?

Yes, although indirectly through North Carolina General Statutes, Section 90-18, which states:

” (a) No person shall perform any act constituting the practice of medicine or surgery, as defined in this Article, or any of the branches thereof… (c) The following shall not constitute practicing medicine or surgery as defined in this Article: … (13) …This subdivision shall not limit or prevent any physician from delegating to a qualified person any acts, tasks, and functions that are otherwise permitted by law or established by custom…”

Additional guidance regarding the scope of medical assisting practice in the state is provided by the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBN), which holds that both licensed nurses (RN and LPN) and physicians can delegate direct patient care to “Unlicensed Assistive Personnel” (including medical assistants), but also makes clear that which professional (nurse or physician) responsible for overseeing the work delegated to the medical assistant must be clearly defined through the use of organizational charts and job descriptions.

What all of this means is that the breadth of tasks that a medical assistant in North Carolina may carry out is wide, but those tasks must be strictly overseen by supervising physicians and nurses.

3. Is certification required?

North Carolina law does not require medical assistants to be certified in order to practice in the state.

4.Is certification available?

Yes. Voluntary certification for medical assisting is both available and highly recommended for anyone seriously pursuing a career as a medical assistant in North Carolina. There are no organizations or agencies that offer certification specifically for medical assistants in North Carolina, but there are a number of national-level certifications available.

5.Is a formal education and/or training required?

None stated by North Carolina law. All national certifications have a base-level high school diploma/GED requirement for candidates, as well as additional education and training requirements as set out in each certifying organization’s eligibility rules.

6. Are there tasks outside the scope of medical assistants in North Carolina?

North Carolina does not provide a list of specific tasks or activities that medical assistants can or cannot carry out in the treatment of patients. The tasks carried out by a medical assistant must be within the scope of their training and conducted under the supervision of a licensed physician or nurse as described under state law.

Salary and wage figures for medical assistants in North Carolina fall closely along the line of those for the nation as a whole according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2014 survey, as seen in this comparison.

Source: BLS, 2014

Considering only state averages for North Carolina salaries and wages can be a bit deceiving. It is also important to consider variations in salaries for specific cities and communities within the state. This table provides a comparison of medical assistant salaries for a number of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas throughout North Carolina.

Source: BLS, 2014

Expected job growth in North Carolina for medical assistants over the next several years runs slightly higher than that for the nation at large and significantly higher than for all occupations. The table below offers a comparison of expected trends in medical assistant employment for North Carolina and nationally.

*Source: Projections Central, 2012-2022

Degree and certificate programs in medical assisting are offered on college and vocational school campuses throughout North Carolina, each offering slightly different approaches to curriculum and coursework. Below are the examples of the types of schools and programs currently available in North Carolina for prospective medical assistant students.

School Type: Community College

Accreditation: CAAHEP

School highlights: Two-year community college with six locations in the Ashville metropolitan area currently offering 61 curriculum programs, 55 degrees, 18 diplomas and 56 certificates.

Programs offered: Offers both a Medical Assisting diploma and Associate in Applied Science in Medical Assisting degree, although the diploma program is currently not accredited.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

School Type: Private Non-Profit College

Accreditation: CAAHEP

School highlights: Located in Concord, Cabarrus College of Health Services offers diploma, associate degree and bachelor degree programs in a number of major subjects including nursing, occupational therapy and medical assisting.

Programs offered: Offers both Medical Assistant diploma and Associate of Science in Medical Assistant degree programs, both of which lead to eligibility for AAMA certification.

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

School Type: Community College

Accreditation: CAAHEP

School highlights: Public, two-year college located in Lexington offering diplomas, certificates and associate degrees on over 50 subjects.

Programs offered: Offers three related programs: two-semester Medical Assistant Certificate; two-semester plus summer session Medical Assistant Diploma; and two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting.

College of Davidson and Davie Counties

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Website of the national agency that accredits medical assisting education programs in North Carolina and throughout the nation. Extensive information on the accrediting process, as well as a search tool for locating accredited medical assisting schools in North Carolina.

North Carolina AHEC

This organization is dedicated to ensuring there are enough healthcare workers to meet the state’s needs now and in the future. Visitors to the site will find information on allied health careers, including medical assistants.

North Carolina State Society of Medical Assistants (NCSSMA)

Information and resources specifically aimed toward working NCSSMA members opened for access to all visitors. Includes job postings page.

The College Board – Major: Medical Assistant

Great site for exploring the world of medical assisting education. Includes a variety of search tools including an excellent one for financial aid opportunities.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Medical Assistants

Comprehensive site for information and data regarding the medical assistant profession, with extensive job and salary statistics, job growth predictions, occupation and education descriptions.