NH’s students interested in this field often have a standard question, i.e., how to become a certified medical assistant in New Hampshire? Well, the first step is always to freeze on the perfect program. This quick widget can help you browse through top MA courses in the state.
Enter your zip code to search and select ‘enrolment information’ for course details.
The MA program cost in NH can be varied depending on the type of degree, course duration, and the school. In-state and out-of-state fees can also be distinct. From approx $3200 (UNH) to $16,485 (Manchester Community College) and $18,000 (White Mountains), students can opt for a certificate or associate program based on affordability factors too. In general, more the number of program credits, more is the total tuition fee in the state.
Associate degrees in NH last for around 2 years, including externships. Certificate programs complete well within a year.
Not only the program, but a top school also adds immense value to your MA career. If a reputed school is associated with your medical assisting training, the goodwill the institute enjoys is transmitted on to your resume. Employers become more confident about you being able to discharge the required duties ideally.
However, when deciding on a suitable school, evaluate all the relevant factors carefully. There is a lot to give attention to, including school accreditations, industry partners (if any) for externship opportunities, school locations, course duration and tuition fees, add on benefits provided, or any key features unique to the school. Here is a guide to the 5 top MA schools in NH for 2021 with crucial information to begin with.
The medical assistant certificate program at the White Mountains is held at their Littleton Academic Center. Classes start in fall and are spread over 3 semesters. The total credits needed are 36. To get admitted into the program, apart from the usual prerequisites, the applicant is also required to have completed the all sciences and Medical Terminology (OTM117W) within the past five years. The college focuses on a team-based learning model.
Focus is given to the highest order of medical ethics so that students practice with utmost professionalism right from the start. The school also has the option of pursuing an associate degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on medical assisting. For successful graduation, you will have to obtain a C+ or higher in the module on Clinical Procedures. The program boasts of impressive success rates with 93.75% job placement (in 2018). 75% of students from the 2018 cohort passed the CMA exam.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Berlin, NH / Littleton, NH / North Conway, NH |
The school houses a 2 year-long nationally accredited program (CAAHEP). The associate degree at MCC includes advanced level training in clinical procedures. Each year is spread across two semesters, i.e., spring and fall. The total credits that the students need to earn are 65. The program’s overall focus is to develop the learning of students across 3 core domains: Cognitive (Knowledge), Psychomotor (actual skills), and Affective (required behavior).
You can also transfer from other programs or colleges to MCC. You would have to maintain a CGPA of 2.0 for your transfer to be accepted into the MA program. Another key feature of this school is that it also has another separate program for “administrative medical assistant certificate”. It is ideal for those sure of only wanting to work in a medical office. Students need to complete only 26 credits in this case.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Manchester, NH |
Based at Portsmouth, the MA program is for a total of 300 hours. Out of this, 140 hours are classroom, face-to-face sessions, while the other 160 is a clinical externship. At UNH, the clinical externship in many cases, however, can be optional for students. The class dates are September 28 to November 23, 2020, Mondays, Thursdays (6 PM to 9:30 PM) and Saturdays (9 AM to 4 PM).
Learn about HIPAA, patient confidentiality procedures, diagnostic testing, educating patients, preparing operation rooms, and more. On course completion, students are eligible to sit for the NHA’s CCMA exam. Total contact hours are 143.5. Relative to other MA programs, this one is quite affordable and will cost you $3,199, including textbooks, etc.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Durham, NH |
The River Valley has a medical assisting program extending across 4 semesters (spring, summer, fall, and the spring of next year). A key feature here is that the school focuses on creating small-sized classes. It ensures a more personalized approach to teaching the students. It offers both the full-time course and part-time sessions, which is significant for those who are unable to commit the whole day due to other obligations (rarely found across other schools of NH).
Online sessions are also devised for helping students work through the classes at their preferred pace. In 2017-2018, 86% of students from the course were placed in jobs within 6 months of graduating. Some unique modules include an introduction to Psychology and Computer Applications. The total credits required are 40.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Claremont, NH / Keene, NH / Lebanon, NH |
The MA program at Lakes Region is a certificate course extending for only 12 weeks. A total of 320 hours of classroom training is rendered, followed by a 160-hour clinical practicum. On successful course completion, students can take the CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) national examination.
To be admitted into the program, students need to be 18 years above in age, have completed high school diploma, GED or HiSet, pass all essential criminal background checks, and abide by the immunization requirements significant for MAs to practice aside patients. There is also a pre-assessment and an interview in which student’s aptitude and enthusiasm for the study are evaluated.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Laconia, NH |
Starting right also includes going ahead with the right degree. Always evaluate what degree your school program is going to award on completion. From associate’s to a diploma, specific program options are uniquely demanded across distinct medical positions.
Search degrees across New Hampshire using this widget.
In New Hampshire, MAs are considered as integral parts of the medical ecosystem. However, unlike nurses, they do not hold a license to practice. Therefore, the state of NH does not directly regulate MAs. The New Hampshire Board of Medicine stresses the function of licensed physicians to appoint and oversee MAs under them appropriately. It is on the judgment of the physician that the MA will be delegated with key tasks and functions. The licensed physicians are held responsible for the quality of work done by their medical assistants.
Thus, the NH medical assistants are legally not required to sit for any national certification exam. The only legal essential prerequisite is the high school diploma or GED. However, most employers in the state look for valuable credentials from accredited schools and certification bodies. Physicians and healthcare institutes look for MAs with credentials and related post-secondary education that can be trusted upon. This is more so as they might have to personally pay for any wrongdoings committed by the MA employed under them (as suggested by the state medical board.) Even though MAs don’t need to undergo any formal training; in reality, it is rarely true.
Moreover, acquiring a nationally recognized credential such as the CMA or RMA shall boost your employability in NH five-fold. It will render a higher salary plus acceptance all over the United States as an accredited medical assistant. These courses outlined above shall make you eligible for these national certifications. On earning the valuable credentials, highlight them on your resume to open doors to never-ending opportunities with New Hampshire healthcare employers.
As estimated by indeed.com, $16.74 was the average base salary per hour for NH medical assistants (as of June 17, 2020). It is 8% higher than the national average for MA hourly pay.
The wage estimates (as of May 2019) of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) depict that the mean annual pay for MAs in New Hampshire is $37,370, and their mean hourly wage is $17.97.
Percentile | Annual Salary (New Hampshire) | Annual Salary (National) |
---|---|---|
10% | $30,150 | $25,820 |
25% | $33,680 | $29,460 |
50% | $37,230 | $34,800 |
75% | $41,330 | $40,270 |
90% | $47,690 | $48,720 |
Source: BLS (as of May 2019)
Thus, as evident by the table above, the annual salary of medical assistants in New Hampshire was more than the national average at all percentiles.
City | Hourly Salary (indeed.com, as of Jun 12, 2020) | Annual Salary (salary.com, as of May 28, 2020) |
---|---|---|
Nashua | $16.02 | $38,940 |
Derry | $16.66 | $38,395 |
Manchester | $15.93 | $37,934 |
Concord | $15.49 | $37,072 |
Rochester | $16.99 | $36,633 |
Keene | $17.37 | $37,725 |
Portsmouth | $18.02 | $36,784 |
Across major cities of NH, hourly pay of MAs was between $15.49 and $18.02, while the annual salaries were between $36,000 and 39,000.
Metropolitan Area | Hourly Salary | Annual Salary |
---|---|---|
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $20.46 | $42,560 |
Dover-Durham, NH-ME | $18.49 | $38,460 |
Manchester, NH | $18.04 | $37,520 |
Portsmouth, NH-ME | $17.69 | $36,790 |
Pueblo, CO | $15.27 | $31,760 |
Source: BLS (as of May 2019)
The highest-paying metropolitan area for MAs in New Hampshire is Boston-Cambridge-Nashua. The average hourly wages here are $20.46, and the annual average salary is $42,560. Portsmouth in NH was the lowest paying metropolitan area with $17.69 (hourly pay) and $36,790 (yearly salary).
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the total number of medical assistants employed in NH was 2,770 as of May 2019. The employment per 1000 jobs was 4.19.
The table below features the largest employing industries of MAs in New Hampshire:
Employing Industry | Employment |
---|---|
Ambulatory Health Care Services | 1,990 |
Offices of Physicians | 1,780 |
Hospitals | 700 |
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 680 |
Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 130 |
Source: BLS (as of May 2019)
The state of New Hampshire (like most of the USA) is marked by the growing aging baby-boom population. This, for the industry of medicine, means higher demand for physicians and health-related services and also more jobs for medical assistants. A study shows that if current rates of utilization are to be maintained, NH shall require 29% more primary care physicians by 2030. Since they shall, in turn, hire assistants, there are golden opportunities for the employment of MAs in the state.
A growing population plus one that is aging calls for more medical services being sought and thus more medical assistant vacancies year on year. More specifically, in NH, the population aged 65 and more and 19 to 64 years is greater than the national averages. This trend further has influenced the boom in demand for healthcare facilities in NH, which is only bound to grow.
Projected Employment Growth in 10 Years | Annual Projected Jobs | Growth % | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
New Hampshire | 2,580 (2016) | 3200 (2026) | 370 | 24% |
National | 686,600 (2018) | 841,500 (2028) | 99,700 | 23% |
Source: careeronestop.org
The growth projection for the employment of MAs is significantly higher in NH, amounting to 24% (slightly higher than the national average). Thus, the already dramatic growth throughout the United States for MAs is even more pronounced in the state of New Hampshire.
Moreover, short term estimates (2019 to 2021) also depict a 4.6% increase in the number of jobs for MAs across NH. From 2,630 jobs in 2019 to 2750 jobs in 2021, employment for MAs is bound to grow significantly even across this short 2 year period.
The Offices of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) provides support to 40+ professional licensing boards and councils in the state of NH. Follow the link for important information with regards to registration for the New Hampshire Medical Technicians.
Use it as a valuable toolkit for identifying the scope of work for MAs. Learn how to work as an effective taskforce in a team with nurses and other medical professionals.
This 60 years old organization is a must to follow for all MAs in NH. The site provides all relevant information on medical assisting in the state and is dedicated to promoting the profession ahead in New Hampshire. The society is also affiliated with the AAMA.
This is the social media (Facebook) profile of the New Hampshire State Society of Medical Assistants. Connect with fellow MAs, clarify doubts, and also seek new opportunities here.
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