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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’s Medical Assistant program is designed for those looking to take the next step in their careers by becoming a certified medical assistant in Mississippi.
Our online program prepares you to earn your Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification from the National Healthcareer Association and perform all the duties of medical assistants, including both those in the front office as well as working with patients.
Our Mississippi Medical Assistant classes take 4 months to complete and cover all essential topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, healthcare systems, phlebotomy, EKG, patient care coordination, and much more.
The Stepful staff is here to support you at every stage of the journey. From career preparedness to help finding an in-person externship*, we're here to help you launch your career in healthcare.
*Please note, students must be available M-F, 9-5 p.m. to be eligible for externship support.
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At-home clinical kit included
What you’ll learn
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Pick Your Start Date
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01
Earn Your High School Diploma or GED
A high school diploma or GED is required to become a medical assistant. If you didn’t complete high school, you can earn your GED in just a few weeks through online or in-person programs.
02
Complete a Medical Assistant Training Program
Most employers require certification rather than a degree, which can be costly and time-consuming. Stepful’s online Medical Assistant Training Program takes just 4 months and prepares you for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam, a widely recognized credential from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
03
Gain Hands-On Experience Through an Externship
Externships, often included in training programs, provide essential hands-on experience in clinics or hospitals. Stepful helps students connect with externship opportunities where they gain real-world skills like measuring vital signs and drawing blood. Clinics such as the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi Baptist Medical Center may offer externships, though they are not necessarily Stepful partners.
04
Pass Your Certification Exam
Certification boosts job prospects and proves your competency. The most recognized certifications include:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) – National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) – American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) – American Medical Technologists (AMT)
05
Start Your Job Search
Medical assistants can find jobs through platforms like Indeed, Monster, and the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Stepful also helps graduates with job placement, connecting them to healthcare employers in their area.
There are no certification requirements for medical assistants in Mississippi. However, you may still want to consider earning a certificate, since 87% of organizations prefer to hire certified assistants.
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Medical assistants in Mississippi are not required to have a license or register with the state prior to working with patients.
What Medical Assistants Cannot Do in Mississippi
In Mississippi, there are certain tasks that a medical assistant is not allowed to do. These specific tasks include:
- Nasogastric tube removal
- Enteral tube feedings
- Dressing changes
- Ear irrigation
- Saline lock insertion
- Hot/cold applications
- Medication administration
- Patient assessment
- Physical or telephone triage
- Removal of fecal impactions
What Medical Assistants Can Do in Mississippi
The Mississippi Board of Nursing has created a list of tasks that can be done by medical assistants or other unlicensed assistive personnel.
These tasks include:
- Specimen collection (urine, stool and sputum)
- Oxygen set-up
- Pulse oximeter equipment application
- Wall suction equipment set-up
- Emptying of wall suctions
- Dipstick urinalysis
- Capillary blood glucose testing (Glucometer, Accu-Checks)
- Shave preps (if performed in a specialized unit such as the OR or Obstetrical Unit)
- Phlebotomy (if an individual’s title/position and main function is primarily as a
- lab technician or “blood drawer”)
- Enema administration (small volume, commercially prepared only, i.e.,
- Fleets)
- EKG
- Oral suctioning
- Measuring vital signs
Administrative Responsibilities
- Maintain patient records
- Maintain inventory
- Schedule appointments
- Deal with insurance claims
- Handle billing and payments
- Order supplies
- Document procedures
- Clean the waiting room
- Organize supplies
Many people are concerned about the overall job outlook in the United States. Between 2023 and 2033, the average job outlook is just 4%. Fortunately for those in healthcare, healthcare jobs are expected to increase by 12% over the same time period.
Job openings for medical assistants across the United States are even better than other healthcare jobs, with opportunities for medical assistants expected to increase by 15% between 2023 and 2033.
As of May 2023, there are currently about 3,590 medical assisting jobs in the state, or 3.11 per 1,000 residents. If you are looking for a job in Mississippi, it is good to know that the Mississippi cities with the highest number of medical assistants include Jackson and Hattiesburg.
Medical assistants in Mississippi earn a decent salary. The median salary for medical assistants in Mississippi is $34,040 per year or $16.36 per hour. They have an average pay of $15.31 per hour or $35,657 per year.
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Salary: $34,040 / year
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Job Outlook: +15% Growth
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# of Jobs in Mississippi: 3,590
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The Mississippi Association of Medical Staff Services supports many different types of healthcare staff including medical assistants. They offer continuing education courses, career opportunities, an annual conference, and support for healthcare workers.
Other organizations that support medical assistants in their careers include the American Medical Technologists, the National Healthcareer Association, and the American Association of Medical Assistants.
What is included in Stepful’s Medical Assistant program tuition?
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Available States
Your new Medical Assistant career starts here
