Last Updated on December 23, 2022
Best Medical Assistant Programs in Colorado – 2021
Following are the 10 Best Medical Assistant Programs in Colorado for 2021
1) Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction
Aligned with the changing needs of the healthcare industry, the medical assistant education offered by Colorado Mesa University focuses on training students under real-world conditions. This not only helps students to gain confidence but also helps them to achieve greater heights in their professional career. The college currently is offering two programs –
Technical Certificate Program: The one-year medical office assistant certificate program consists of 41-credit hours and has been divided into three semesters – fall semester (17-credit hours), spring semester (18-credit hours), and summer semester (6-credit hours). In the fall semester, subjects like medical terminology, office administration, and basics of Medical Sciences will be covered while in the spring semester, the focus of the curriculum will shift to imparting laboratory and clinical skills to students. You are required to score at least “C” grade in each of the courses to graduate.
Associate of Applied Science: The two-year degree program consists of 61-credit hours, and the curriculum has been divided into essential subjects (15-credit hours), required subjects (2-credit), and degree-specific subjects (44-credit). In the first year (fall and spring semester), you will receive education in subjects like English, mathematics, and basics of medical sciences and administration. The curriculum in the second year will be delivered in three semesters (fall, spring, and summer) and consists of subjects like pharmacology, the medical science terminology, and clinical skills, among others. In the summer semester, an internship is scheduled.
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2) Red Rocks Community College, Arvada
The medical assisting education offered by Red Rocks Community College helps students to develop multi-tasking skills for performing a variety of jobs in the healthcare domain. This enables aspirants to have diverse functional capabilities and perform effectively as cross-functional teams.
Practical Certificate : The medical assistant certificate program is a 37-credit course with a curriculum consisting of subjects like basics of medical terminology and assistance, human body and anatomy, clinical and laboratory skills, pharmacology, financial, and legal and ethical issues in the healthcare field. To graduate, you must score at least “C” grade in each course, and upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
A.A.S. Degree: The degree program consists of a total of 60-credit hours. The curriculum is divided into general education courses (15-credit hours) and medical assisting specific courses (45-credit hours). During the training, you will gain knowledge on the basics of anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, clinical skills, effective communication, and medical terminology. You will also undergo an internship during the program that will help you to get exposure to real-life working conditions.
3) Pueblo Community College, Pueblo
By providing a conducive learning environment to aspirants, the medical assisting education offered by Pueblo Community College has carved out a niche for itself. The college boasts of experienced faculty members, which coupled with state-of-the-art infrastructure, help students to realize their professional goals.
Certificate program: The 45-week medical assistant program in CO is a full-time course which begins in the fall semester each year. The course consists of 47-credit hours and to impart quality education; the college maintains a small class size of 18-20 students. During the fall semester, you will receive education on the basics of medical sciences and terminology while in the spring semester, courses like clinical and laboratory skills will be delivered. In the final summer semester, you will be taking a course on the health and nutrition besides undergoing an internship in medical assisting.
Degree program: The four-semester, full-time associate in applied science program consists of 62-credit hours. The curriculum is divided into general education courses (15-credit hours), elective courses (6-credit hours), and core courses (29-credit hours). The core courses will be delivered in three semesters – fall semester (17-credit hours), spring semester (17-credit hours), and summer semester (6-credit hours). Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the Registered Medical Assistant National Examination (RMA) administered by the American Medical Technologist (AMT).
4) Pima Medical Institute, Aurora, Colorado Springs & Denver
Pima Medical Institute offers medical assisting education at three campuses, which provides choice flexibility to students. The training aims to help students learn the skills and expertise required for becoming a successful professional.
Medical Assistant Certificate Program: The medical assistant certificate course is available in both day class (35-week) and night class (40-week) formats. The program consists of 34 credits and has been divided into career preparation (6.5 credits), professional sequence I (6 credits), professional sequence II (5.5 credits), professional sequence III (6 credits), professional sequence IV (6 credits), and externship (4-credits). During the training, you will receive education on various techniques for examining patients, handling the billing and coding procedures, critical aspects involved in the surgical operations, and key procedural requirements while working in the laboratory. Towards the end of the program, you will undergo an externship in a hospital, private clinic, or nursing home, among others. This training exercise will provide you an opportunity to have hands-on experience of working in real-life conditions.
Medical Administrative Assistant Certificate Program: The medical administrative assistant program is available in two formats – day program (30 weeks) and a night program (34 weeks). The course consists of 29 credits which have been divided into career preparation (6.5 credits), professional sequence I (6.0 credits), professional sequence II (5.5 credits), professional sequence III (6.0 credits), and externship (5.0 credits). The curriculum contains a total of 265 theory hours, 215 lab hours, and 240 externship hours. Upon graduation, you can find a work opportunity in a range of healthcare settings including hospitals, research organization, nursing homes, and private clinics, among others.
5) Concorde Career College, Aurora
For achieving the goal of a sustainable community, the medical assisting course offered by Concorde Career College emphasizes on the development of social and technical skills among students. The program covers both theoretical and practical aspects of medical assisting education to help aspirants turn into competent professionals.
The 8-month, full-time medical assistant training is available in both daytime and evening class formats. The course consists of 26-credits and is delivered in 30 weeks. The curriculum contains 795 contact hours, which are further divided into 330 theory hours, 240 laboratory hours, and 225 externship hours. During the training, career path courses are delivered online, while subjects related to medical assisting are taught in classrooms. Additional, course delivery methods include lab practical and an externship in a healthcare center. Upon graduation, you can start working as a medical assistant in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, private clinics, and rehabilitation centers, among others.
6) IntelliTec College, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction & Pueblo
One of the well-known medical assistant schools in Colorado, IntelliTec College, focuses on producing quality professionals. The medical assistant program encourages teamwork and emphasizes experiential learning to ensure that students can meet the challenges of changing professional challenges.
The 10.5 months certificate program consists of 50 credit hours. The curriculum covers important aspects of medical assisting education comprehensively and contains a number of theory subjects. You’ll receive education on clinical and administrative aspects of medical assistance, cardiovascular diseases, immune system, pharmacology, pathology, pediatrics, reproductive, respiratory, and urinary system, and geriatric, among others. For a hands-on experience, you will work under the supervision of a trained medical practitioner in real-world settings during your externship. The program is offered at multiple locations, which provides you the choice flexibility while selecting the campus for the study.
7) IBMC College, Fort Collins, Greeley & Longmont
Focused on building a strong foundational base, the medical assisting program offered by IBMC College comprehensively covers clinical and administrative aspects of this field. The hands-on training experience during the course is provided by industry professionals, which presents a great learning opportunity for students.
The 10-month clinical medical assistant course consists of 47-credit hours and begins every 5th week. A total of 14 classes are scheduled, and during the training, you will receive education on medical terminology, fundamentals of the healthcare system, introduction to the clinical and medical assisting skills, pharmacology, and specialties related to the lifespan. In order to impart quality education, the college maintains a low student to faculty ratio, i.e., theory classes – 30:1 and lab practical – 16:1. Additionally, the college also provides you an opportunity to apply the skills in real-world community events such as Fall Feast, Weld Project, and 9News Fair. For practical experience, you will undergo a 5-week externship at the end of the course. Upon graduation, you become eligible to take a test for following certifications: Nationally certified medical assistant (NCMA), Nationally Registered Phlebotomy Technician, and Basic Life Support (BLS).
8) Emily Griffith Technical College, Denver
The medical assisting program offered by Emily Griffith Technical College helps students to have a rewarding career in the healthcare industry. The focus of training is on equipping the aspirants with clinical and administrative skills that are required to perform efficiently at work.
The seven-month medical assisting course consists of 39.5-program credits – 35-course credits and 4.5-internship credits. This full-time program has classes scheduled from Monday to Thursday and internship is scheduled at the end of the course. During the classroom instructions, you will receive education on subjects like fundamental of medical sciences, clinical and office administration skills, medical terminology, laboratory skills play, and ethical and legal considerations for medical professionals. The internship exercise, on the other hand, provides you an opportunity to apply theory into practice and work under a trained supervisor in real-world conditions. Upon graduation, you become eligible to take the Registered Medical Assistant Exam.
9) Morgan Community College, Fort Morgan
With a focus on cross-functional training, medical assisting programs offered by Morgan Community College prepare students to handle a variety of clinical and administrative tasks.
Medical Assistant Certificate: The 42 credit hours medical assisting certificate program begins in the spring semester each academic year and has been divided into four semesters – semester I (12 credit hours), semester II (13 credit hours), semester III (11 credit hours), and semester IV (6 credit hours). You will receive education on a number of clinical and administrative subjects, which include physiology and anatomy, pharmacology, communication skills, mathematics, emergency response system, and customer care services in the healthcare industry. In the last semester, you will undergo an internship under a trained industry mentor to help you learn the intricacies of working in real-world conditions.
Associate of Applied Science: The 60 credit hours degree program begins in the fall semester every year and has been divided into a total of five semesters – semester I (14 credit hours), semester II (14 credit hours), semester III (13 credit hours), semester IV (13 credit hours), and semester V (6 credit hours). In the last semester, you will receive practical exposure through an internship which is arranged in a variety of healthcare centers. Besides the hands-on training, the college will also help you to prepare for the Medical Assistant National certification exams.
10) CollegeAmerica – Colorado Springs, Denver & Fort Collins
If you are exploring the possibility to become a medical assistant in CO, then the associate degree program offered by CollegeAmerica could be considered. The college provides focused and personalized attention to students, thanks to its comparatively smaller size than other traditional universities and institutions.
The 20-month associate of occupational studies is a 94-credit program and offers candidates the flexibility to choose from three different locations to pursue their studies. The course will train you on the crucial aspects of administrative functioning and clinical procedures. The curriculum contains a variety of courses including pharmacology, legal and ethical issues involved in the healthcare field, communication skills, psychological well-being, muscular and respiratory system, and concepts related to motivation and professional growth. A 5.0 credit externship is also a part of the coursework and will help you to gain an understanding of working in real-world conditions.
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Colorado
When a patient enters a clinic or hospital, a medical assistant may be the first person they encounter. Due to this face-to-face interaction, medical assistants should be attentive, calm and thorough communicators. Administrative duties like record-keeping and answering phones may also be included in your list of responsibilities. Additionally, you may be expected to assist doctors or physicians as they diagnose and treat patients.[Leer en español]See Popular Schools in Colorado
Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Colorado
Colorado, like most other states in the U.S., does not require medical assistants to complete any specialized training or earn national certifications before practicing. When you begin your job search, however, you may find that most employers prefer to hire applicants with some level of experience or credentials within the trade. For this reason, it may be your best option to complete a training program or earn voluntary national certification.
Medical Assistant Training and Educational Programs in Colorado
Completing a training program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) is a wise choice, especially for those interested in earning certification. The following programs are available in Colorado:
- Colorado Mountain College is located in the city of Edwards. Students can enroll in an undergraduate certificate in medical assisting, which takes 18 months to complete. This program is accredited by the CAAHEP. Students will sit for a certification exam upon program completion.
- Red Rocks Community College is located in the city of Arvada, Colorado. The school allows students to earn either a Certificate of Completion in Medical Assisting, which can be completed in less than three semesters, or an Associate of Applied Sciences degree, which can be completed in about two years. This program is also accredited by the CAAHEP.
- Pima Medical Institute is located in the city of Aurora. The school allows students to earn a Certificate of Completion in Medical Assisting, which can be earned in as little as nine months. Clinical externships are a requirement for graduation, and this program is accredited by the ABHES.
Certification for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Colorado
As a medical assistant, you have the option of earning four types of certification. The two most common certifications include the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). Additionally, you may choose to earn the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credentials. All of these exams are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
While each of these certifications allows those who have recently graduated from an ABHES- or CAAHEP-accredited training program to sit for exams, you may also be eligible to earn this certification if you already have professional experience as a medical assistant.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants in Colorado
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data presented in 2017 indicate that medical assistants in Colorado earned $16.95 per hour on average, which is equivalent to $35,260 per year. The highest paid medical assistants in this state earned more than $46,000 annually according to the same data.
During 2016, BLS data also indicate that there were 10,070 medical assistants working in Colorado. By 2026, it is projected that there will be 12,930 medical assistants working in this state. This indicates a 28.4 percent expansion in the job market during this 10-year period.
Working as a Medical Assistant in Colorado
Medical assistants working in Colorado can expect to earn the highest compensation in cities like Niwot, Boulder and Eldorado Springs.
Employment will be available at hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices and other places where medical duties are performed. Your main responsibilities may include keeping track of patients’ medical histories, checking their vitals or scheduling their visits to the medical facility. If this sounds exciting to you, consider getting started today.
Popular Schools
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College Listings
Aims Community College
- Address: 5401 W. 20th St., Greeley, Colorado 80634
- Phone: (970) 330-8008
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation
| Next Review Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Learning Commission | 08/31/2028 | Accredited since (01/01/1977) |
Altierus Career College-Thornton
- Address: 9065 Grant St, Thornton, Colorado 80229-4339
- Phone: (303) 457-2757
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation
| Next Review Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools | Accredited (01/01/1962 – 10/17/2017) |
Arapahoe Community College
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation
| Next Review Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Learning Commission | 8/31/2027 | Accredited since (01/01/1970) |
CollegeAmerica-Colorado Springs
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation
| Next Review Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges | 02/28/2020 | Accredited since (09/29/2002) |
CollegeAmerica-Denver
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation
| Next Review Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges | 02/28/2020 | Accredited since (05/29/1994) |
CollegeAmerica-Fort Collins
- Address: 4601 South Mason St, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
- Phone: (970) 225-4860
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation
| Next Review Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges | 02/28/2020 | Accredited since (07/29/2001) |
Colorado Mesa University
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation
| Next Review Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Learning Commission | 08/31/2024 | Accredited since (01/01/1957) |
Colorado Mountain College
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation
| Next Review Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Learning Commission | 08/31/2024 | Accredited since (01/01/1974) |
Community College of Denver
- Address: 1111 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, Colorado 80204-2026
- Phone: (303) 556-2600
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation
| Next Review Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Learning Commission | 8/31/2027 | Accredited since (01/01/1975) |
Concorde Career College-Aurora
- Address: 111 N. Havana Street, Aurora, Colorado 80010-4314
- Phone: (303) 861-1151
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation
| Next Review Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges | 2/28/2016 | Accredited since (12/29/1968) |
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FAQs
How much do medical assistants earn in the state of Colorado?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Colorado made an average of $37,410 per year in 2019. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $27,810 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $48,770.
Training, Certifications & Employment Growth in the State
Medical assistants in Colorado enjoy a fair amount of autonomy compared to some other states, because they are permitted to perform a wide variety of tasks under the supervision of a physician. There are numerous schools in the state for aspiring medical students to choose from. All of them offer either a certificate or associate degree, which means any program can be completed in two years or less. Upon graduation, many medical assistants end up working in the offices of physicians, but some might find work in hospitals, outpatient care centers and long-term care facilities. This guide focuses on what students can expect upon graduation, including salary, job growth and more.
Top 10 Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries in Arkansas
| Morgan Community CollegeFORT MORGAN, CO |
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Colorado’s Top Medical Assisting School
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Methodology
A degree in medical assisting is a great way to get a foot in the door of the health care industry. Graduates have the knowledge and experience needed to work with patients by checking vitals, performing examinations, administering injections and medications and other routine tasks. But the first step is finding the right program for your needs. We’re helping you out by giving you the research and 2017’s top school with a medical assisting program based on factors such as average class size, institutional financial aid opportunities and cost. Explore the best school with a medical assisting program in Colorado below.
4 – Year Colleges
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1
Morgan Community College
LocationFort Morgan, CO
Colorado Medical Assisting Training and Certification Requirements
1 Does Colorado define “medical assistant”?
Colorado does not offer a specific definition of medical assistants, but the state instead includes them with other professions designated as “unlicensed personnel.” Medical assistants fall under the supervision of physicians in Colorado and can be delegated any tasks that are not the exclusive right of a physician or nurse. In other words, they can do anything that does not require a medical license of some kind.
2 Is certification required?
The state of Colorado does not require certification for medical assistants. However, some medical assistants in Colorado are certified. This is because some employers prefer to hire those who have earned certification, as it helps show that medical assistants have achieved the minimum level of training and knowledge that is expected to prepare them for the work expected of medical assistants in a typical office setting.
3 Is certification available?
Though certification is not required in the state of Colorado, it is available to aspiring medical assistants who meet the necessary requirements set forth by the certifying bodies. The agency where medical assistants receive certification may depend on the school they attend and where that schools chooses to certify. Certifications available include (but aren’t limited to) the following:
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
4 Is formal education and/or training required?
Colorado does not require unlicensed medical personnel, such as medical assistants, to complete a formal education or training program. However, some medical assistants choose to seek out a formal education or training program from one of the accredited schools in Colorado.
5 What are additional requirements?
Those who have earned certification must meet certain requirements to keep it current; this might include working a certain number of hours or pursuing continuing education. Recertification is necessary every five years.
6 Are there tasks outside the scope of medical assistants in Colorado?
Colorado has not set forth a scope of practice for medical assistants. However, Colorado law states that unlicensed personnel cannot perform any duties that require licensing; for instance, a medical assistant may not prescribe medication to patients. This leads to a very broad variety of tasks a medical assistant could perform, as long as they are supervised by their employer.
Medical Assistant Salaries in Colorado
Colorado medical assistants are paid a bit more than the national median. Below is a comparison of Colorado and national wages, including annual and hourly numbers.
| ANNUAL WAGE 25TH PERCENTILE | ANNUAL WAGE MEDIAN | ANNUAL WAGE 75TH PERCENTILE | HOURLY WAGE MEDIAN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $27,760 | $32,390 | $37,090 | $15.57 |
| National | $25,500 | $29,960 | $36,070 | $14.41 |
Source: BLS, 2014
Salaries in Select Colorado Cities & Areas
The salary of a medical assistant can vary depending on a variety of factors, including experience, training, certification, any specializations, and of course, geographic location. Though salary is dependent upon state, it is also dependent upon the geographical region within that state. The following chart breaks down the median income for medical assistants in different areas of Colorado.
| AREA | ANNUAL WAGE 25TH PERCENTILE | ANNUAL WAGE MEDIAN | ANNUAL WAGE 75TH PERCENTILE | HOURLY WAGE MEDIAN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $28,990 | $33,720 | $38,450 | $16.58 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $26,460 | $29,970 | $34,590 | $14.61 |
| Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO | $29,180 | $33,950 | $38,230 | $16.49 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $26,210 | $29,830 | $34,720 | $14.69 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $26,240 | $31,340 | $36,250 | $15.32 |
| Greeley, CO | $26,550 | $30,170 | $34,560 | $14.54 |
| Pueblo, CO | $25,370 | $28,110 | $31,100 | $13.84 |
| East and South Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $23,400 | $26,750 | $29,770 | $12.92 |
| West Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $28,860 | $33,310 | $37,940 | $16.90 |
| Northcentral Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $32,940 | $37,040 | $46,860 | $19.40 |
| Central Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $27,000 | $30,890 | $35,190 | $14.86 |
Source: BLS, 2014
Colorado Medical Assistant Job Trends
Colorado’s need for medical assistants is expected to grow at a rate similar to the national average. Both rates are quite robust compared to other occupations, which means that aspiring medical assistants might do very well during the job search. The chart below offers more information
Medical Assistant Estimated Employment Growth 2012-2022
| AVERAGE ANNUAL OPENINGS | CURRENT EMPLOYMENT | PROJECTED EMPLOYMENT 2022 | JOBS ADDED | GROWTH RATE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 390 | 8,310 | 10,590 | 2,280 | 27.4% |
| National | 26,990 | 560,800 | 723,700 | 162,900 | 29% |
*Source: Projections Central, 2012-2022
Colorado Medical Assisting Schools Spotlight
Students in Colorado can choose from numerous medical assisting schools and programs. The following spotlight schools offer a sampling of what students can expect when they do decide to pursue their dream of working as a medical assistant.
Front Range Community College
School Type:
Public College
Accreditation:
CAAHEP
School highlights:
The medical assisting program prepares students for both the clinical and administrative sides of medical assisting. Front Range makes paying for school easy, with many financial aid and tuition discounts available.
Programs offered:
The school offers a medical assistant certificate program that lasts for three semesters and 46 credits.
Red Rocks Community College
School Type:
Public College
Accreditation:
CAAHEP
School highlights:
The medical assisting programs prepare students to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam. The college has a relationship with Workforce Centers in Colorado that can provide training and resources for those seeking careers in healthcare.
Programs offered:
The school offers associate degree and certificate options for students. The associate degree lasts for four semesters and takes 60 credits to complete, while the certificate program is comprised of 45 credits and three semesters.
Colorado Medical Assistant Resources
American Association of Medical Assistants
The AAMA administers the exam for certifying medical assistants as Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).
American Medical Technologists
The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification is one of the most widely recognized medical assisting certifications.
Colorado Medical Practices Act
Colorado’s law dictating what constitutes the practice of medicine; contains provisions which allow unlicensed medical professionals, such as medical assistants, to engage in certain tasks under the supervision of licensed medical professionals.
Colorado Society of Medical Assistants
Representing the medical assistant profession in Colorado, the Colorado Society of Medical Assistants’ website contains information relating to the Colorado chapter of the AAMA and upcoming events and news.
Top Medical Assistant Programs in Colorado
| RANK | SCHOOL | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National American University | Centennial, Colorado Springs and Denver, CO |
| 2 | IntelliTec Medical Institute | Colorado Springs, CO |
