Online Medical Assistant Program

Illinois Medical Assistant training program

Our 4-month online medical assistant program for Illinois residents prepares you to take the NHA CCMA exam. After you pass your certification exam and apply for our externship program, our team will work with you to secure clinical hours and a full-time job around Illinois.

Spots are limited. We accept qualified applicants on a first come, first served basis.
Program Currently Not Available in This Region.

4-Month Online IL Medical Assistant program

Receive your NHA CCMA certification

100% online followed by in-person clinical hours

Job interview prep and resume services

1:1 Support From Enrollment to Employment

Stepful Graduates Were Hired At
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Earn your Medical Assistant certification online in Illinois

Our Illinois Medical Assistant Training Program here at Stepful is a 4-month online program for Illinois residents. We prepare you to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). This nationally recognized certificate makes you a more competitive job applicant and ensures that you are ready to work. 

Our course includes live, 90-minute classes twice a week with expert instructors. You will complete daily assignments, mock exams, and simulations—100% online. Topics covered include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, infection control, phlebotomy, EKG measurements, and more.

We also help students find an in-person externship at one of Stepful’s 8,000 affiliated clinics across the United States.* There, you will work closely with a clinical supervisor to ensure proficiency in key skills such as patient intake, taking blood pressure, measuring heart rate, and more. Through it all, your dedicated externship coach will answer questions, provide guidance, and keep you on the path to success.

After completing our Illinois Medical Assistant Training Program, you will be ready to test for your national certification exam. Our students have an 87% CCMA Certification Exam pass rate, which is over 10 percentage points above the national average. 

When you are ready to find a job, you can attend mock interview workshops, receive 1:1 support from your career coach, and get updates on open medical assistant jobs in your area.

From certification to hiring, we’re with you every step of the way.

*Students must be in good academic and financial standing and available during regular working hours, Monday to Friday, for a minimum of 20 hours per week.

87%
NHA CCMA Certification Pass Rate
+10 Points Above the National Average
 

At-home clinical kit included

Get a Clinical Kit delivered to your door and build hands-on experience with live demos, self-paced labs, and graded assignments at no extra cost.
Open cardboard box on a light wooden table with various medical training items arranged neatly inside and around it. Visible items include a stethoscope, reservoir bag, blue dye bottle, small vial, reagent bottle, yellow sharps container, blue kidney dish, blue nitrile gloves, digital thermometer, and a reagent test strip. The table is covered with a light blue work surface cover. In the background, there’s a beige couch, cream curtains, and a side table with a clear vase holding three orange Gerbera daisies.
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Venipuncture Trainer Arm
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Simulation Finger
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Stethoscope
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Digital Thermometer
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Sphygmomanometer
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Reservoir Bag
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Tourniquet
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Kidney Dish
Vacutainer Tube
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Lancets
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Work Surface Cover
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Sharps Container
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Syringe Needles
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Urinary Test Container
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Gloves
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Medication Vial
Open cardboard box on a light wooden table with various medical training items arranged neatly inside and around it. Visible items include a stethoscope, reservoir bag, blue dye bottle, small vial, reagent bottle, yellow sharps container, blue kidney dish, blue nitrile gloves, digital thermometer, and a reagent test strip. The table is covered with a light blue work surface cover. In the background, there’s a beige couch, cream curtains, and a side table with a clear vase holding three orange Gerbera daisies.
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Venipuncture Trainer Arm
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Simulation Finger
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Stethoscope
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Sphygmomanometer
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Digital Thermometer
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Reservoir Bag
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Sharps Container
Stepful CCMA Digital thermometer
Vacuum Tubes

What you’ll learn

Our 4-month online Medical Assistant program will prepare you to pass the NHA CCMA exam.

Weeks 1-4

Learn the foundational healthcare knowledge needed to become a well-rounded Medical Assistant. Topics include healthcare systems, medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.

Healthcare Systems
Medical Terminology
Anatomy
Physiology

Weeks 5-8

Master the ins and outs of clinical patient care, such as infection control, phlebotomy, EKG, as well as patient care coordination and education.

Infection Control
Phlebotomy
EKG
Patient Care Coordination and Education

Weeks 9-13

Learn how to handle routine administrative responsibilities and get a good grasp of medical law and ethics as well as excellent customer service.

Medical Law
Ethics
Excellent Customer Service

Weeks 14-17+

Prepare for your national certification exam, get certified, and work with your dedicated coach to find an externship and then a full-time job.

NHA CCMA Exam
Externship
Full-time Job

Pick Your Start Date

You'll have two live classes per week and should plan for 90 minutes of additional daily coursework.
Apply Now
You'll select a class time after you sign up.

How to get certified & become a Medical Assistant in Illinois

Medical assistants have great job security, earn a decent salary, and make a difference in the lives of patients. It’s a career you can get into fairly quickly, too since it doesn’t require previous healthcare experience. Here are the necessary steps to become a medical assistant in Illinois:

01

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED

In Illinois, becoming a medical assistant is very accessible. All you need to do is graduate from high school or earn your GED. You will need your diploma or GED certificate when you apply for training programs or jobs.

02

Enroll in & Complete a Medical Assistant Course

Illinois does not require a license or certification to work as a medical assistant. However, employers prefer to hire medical assistants who have some training and are certified.

Courses that prepare you for a national certification exam, like ours here at Stepful, can be completed in a few months entirely online. So, not only will you gain knowledge, skills, and confidence, but you will also increase your chances of getting hired.

03

Complete a Medical Assistant Externship

Some medical assistant training programs include an externship component where students experience the job firsthand in a healthcare setting. 

Healthcare systems in Illinois, like Shawnee Health and many others, offer externships or apprenticeships for aspiring medical assistants.

At Stepful, we assist students in good academic and financial standing in securing externships at our 8,000 partner clinics. This opportunity includes 80 to 160 clinical hours, providing valuable hands-on experience prior to starting full-time employment.

With an externship, you can apply your online learning in real-world situations under professional supervision. This kind of hands-on training is invaluable for you and future employers.

04

Pass your Medical Assistant Certification Exam

Getting certified shows employers that you are competent and prepared. It can lead you to better jobs and a higher salary. Since Illinois does not require a specific certification, you can choose which certifying organization to test with.

Most training programs prepare their students to test for the credentials of Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). 

Our Illinois Medical Assistant Program prepares students to test for their CCMA certification. This certification is more focused on the clinical aspects of medical assisting as opposed to the administrative work.

05

Search for Jobs

Job search sites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter list many job openings for medical assistants in Illinois. 

Likewise, healthcare systems in Illinois, like Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Healthcare, have postings for medical assistants in the various hospitals and practices they run.

Here at Stepful, students have access to resume services, mock interviews, and 1:1 support in finding a job in their areas. We support you from enrollment to employment.

Requirements to become a Medical Assistant in Illinois: certification & licensing

Each state has different licensing and registration requirements for its healthcare workers. Some require nearly everyone working in healthcare to register with the state, while others are much less strict. Here’s a look at the certification and licensing requirements for medical assistants in Illinois.
Part-time online healthcare classes

Illinois Medical Assistant
certification requirements

While medical assistants are not required to be certified in Illinois, 87% of organizations prefer to hire certified medical assistants, according to the NHA.

The most common certifications for medical assistants include Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the NHA, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the AAMA, and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from the AMT. 

Stepful’s program prepares you for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the NHA.

Part-time online healthcare classes

Illinois Medical Assistant
license requirements

While they do not need a license to work with patients, medical assistants in Illinois must work under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.

Illinois Medical Assistant scope of practice & common responsibilities

Scope of practice defines the procedures, actions, and duties a medical assistant may legally perform. 

Many states do not have specific laws that regulate the scope of practice for medical assistants. In other states, the state medical board or other government body writes rules that govern how licensed healthcare professionals utilize and supervise medical assistants within their practices. 

Below, you can see how the Illinois State Board of Education describes the scope of practice for medical assistants in Illinois. 

What Medical Assistants Can Do in Illinois

Technical medical assistants may: 

  • Collect, prepare, and transfer specimens to labs
  • Perform routine lab tests
  • Prepare patients for procedures
  • Assist the physician during exams
  • Engage in sanitation and infection control procedures
  • Administer medication
  • Draw blood
  • Conduct electrocardiograms 
  • Clean, wrap, and sterilize instruments
  • Check and record vital signs
  • Explain the physician’s instruction to the patient

Administrative medical assistants may:

  • Greet patients
  • Handle office correspondence and billing
  • Answer telephones
  • Maintain filing records
  • Inventory supplies
  • Maintain equipment
  • Prepare exam rooms

What Medical Assistants Cannot Do in Illinois

Medical assistants cannot do functions that are reserved for licensed providers. These include:

  • Diagnosing and treating patients
  • Assessing, planning, and evaluating patient care and treatment
  • Advising patients or engaging in medical decision-making processes
  • Performing invasive procedures
  • Performing physical therapy
  • Administering IV medications
  • Independently analyzing or interpreting lab tests
  • Administering anesthetic agents
  • Refilling or authorizing prescriptions independently


In addition, Illinois warns that medical assistants should never refer to themselves as nurses.

Common Illinois Medical Assistant Responsibilities

Medical assistants commonly perform a variety of clinical duties, such as:

  • Taking patient vitals
  • Documenting patient information in an electronic health record
  • Preparing patients for procedures
  • Collecting urine, sputum, and stool samples
  • Assisting with procedures
  • Drawing blood
  • Giving subcutaneous injections
  • Giving intramuscular injections
  • Sterilizing surgical tools

Medical assistants also perform a variety of administrative duties, such as:

  • Answering phone calls
  • Assisting with billing and insurance
  • Scheduling appointments
  • Organizing supplies
  • Maintaining inventory

Job Outlook for Medical Assistants in Illinois

Certified medical assistants in Illinois shouldn’t have any trouble finding a job. Between 2023 and 2033, job opportunities for medical assistants are expected to increase by 15% nationally. 

This is more than three times higher than the average growth expected for all jobs across the nation (4%) and better than the projected job growth for all healthcare jobs (12%).

As of May 2023, Illinois has 21,040 medical assistant jobs in the state, or 3.5 jobs per 1,000 residents. The Chicago area has the 4th highest number of jobs in the country, with 16,210 jobs. 

Medical assistants in Illinois also earn decent salaries. The average certified medical assistant earns $40,658, which is about $20.84 per hour. The Chicago area has the highest mean salary in the state, with an hourly mean wage of $21.25, or $44,200 per year.

The high demand for medical assistants means that certified medical assistants may be able to negotiate for higher starting wages.

Part-time online healthcare classes

Salary: $40,658 / year

Average salary in Illinois
Medical Assistant job placement support

Job Outlook: +15% Growth

From 2022 to 2033
NHA CCMA Certification

# of Jobs in Illinois: 21,040

As of May 2023

Professional Organizations for Medical Assistants in Illinois

Illinois Society of Medical Assistants: This organization's mission is to unite medical assistants in the state of Illinois to maintain high standards through educational programs. It also seeks to advance the profession by providing honest, loyal, and efficient service to the public and continuing to work within the medical community to demonstrate knowledge and professionalism.

The ISMA is an affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants, with chapters covering different parts of the state:

  • Aux Plaines
  • Central
  • Chicago
  • Illinois Valley
  • Lincoln Land
  • Mississippi Valley
  • Northwest Cook
  • Rockford
  • Southern Illinois Regional Medical

National organizations that support medical assistants in their careers include:

Illinois Medical Assistant program FAQs

What is included in Stepful’s Medical Assistant program tuition?

What tuition payment options are available?

What Medical Assistant certifications do you prepare me for?

Do you help graduates find a job?

What is the refund policy?

What are the requirements to enroll in your Medical Assistant program?

Is the program online or in-person?

Do you have a partnership with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)?

Available States

Texas
New York
North Carolina
Georgia
Ohio
Illinois
California
Wisconsin
Wyoming
West Virginia
Virginia
Vermont
Utah
Tennessee
New Mexico
Oregon
South Dakota
Rhode Island
North Dakota
Oklahoma
New Jersey
Nevada
Missouri
New Hampshire
Nebraska
Montana
Mississippi
Michigan
Minnesota
Massachusetts
Maryland
Kentucky
Maine
Louisiana
Iowa
Kansas
Indiana
Idaho
Hawaii
Delaware
Connecticut
Arkansas
Arizona
Colorado
Alabama
Pennsylvania
Alaska
Florida

Your new Medical Assistant career starts here

4-Month online Medical Assistant class
Receive your national NHA CCMA certification
100% online followed by in-person clinical hours
Job interview prep and resume services
3-day money back guarantee available
Spots are limited. We accept qualified applicants on a first come, first served basis.
Program Currently Not Available in This Region.
4-Month Online Medical Assistant Class
Earn your National CCMA Certification
Hands-on Clinical Kit Included with Tuition
Opportunities for In-Person Clinical Hours
1:1 Support From Enrollment to Employment