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Stepful’s Alaska program is a great option for those hoping to work as a medical assistant in Alaska.
Our online program includes courses in basic medical care, medical terminology, infection control, phlebotomy, and EKG measurements. After classroom learning is complete, our team helps students find an externship in their area to get hands-on experience and build connections for future job opportunities.*
Students who complete our program will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Clinical Assistant (CCMA) exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). This clinically-focused certification shows future employers that you are qualified and ready to work as a medical assistant.
Our graduates have an 87% percent passing rate for the CCMA, which is a full ten percentage points higher than the average passing rate.
*Must be available during regular working hours | Mon to Fri, min 20 hours per week
All medical assistants, whether they earn a certification or not, must graduate from high school or earn their GED. Students and aspiring medical assistants will provide a copy of their diploma or certificate when enrolling in a medical training program or applying for jobs.
Courses are available online, through community colleges, or technical schools. Some students choose to earn an associate's degree in medical assisting, but this is optional for certification.
Even though certification is not required in Alaska, most employers prefer to hire medical assistants who have completed a training course and passed a certification exam.
Medical assisting externships are learning opportunities where students shadow a working medical assistant during their shifts. Organizations in Alaska that may offer externships include The Alaska Primary Care Association, Central Peninsula Hospital, and Mat-Su Health Services.
Because we understand the importance of getting in-person experience, our program at Stepful makes finding an externship interview easier. We work with students to get them an interview with one of affiliated clinics to secure an externship.*
*Please note, students must be available M-F, 9-5 p.m. to be eligible for externship support.
Medical assistant certification options include the CMA, CCMA, RMA, and NCMA. They all have similar training requirements and examination fees and are widely accepted by Alaska healthcare organizations.
Here at Stepful, students are prepared to take the Clinical Certified Medical Assistant Exam (CCMA). This exam, offered by the National Healthcareer Association, focuses on clinical skills and is nationally recognized. The CCMA exam has 200 questions and a 160-minute time limit.
Our Stepful program includes job search support, like interview preparation and resume support to help our students get the job of their dreams. The Alaska Primary Care Association is another great resource for aspiring medical assistants looking for work in Alaska.
The Alaska State Medical Board specifies that certain tasks should not be performed by a medical assistant. These tasks include:
Medical assistants in Alaska can perform tasks delegated to them by a licensed provider, as long as they are trained on how to perform the task, the task cannot cause harm to the patient, and the licensed provider is available to offer support when needed.
A medical assistant in Alaska can perform the following tasks:
Medical assistants in Alaska enjoy great job security and a positive job outlook.
As of May 2023, there were 2,140 medical assisting jobs in Alaska, or 6.87 per 1,000 residents. Alaska cities with the highest number of medical assistants include Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Nationally, job opportunities for medical assistants are more than three times higher than the average growth expected for all jobs across the nation (4%). Job opportunities for medical assistants in the United States are expected to grow 15% between 2023 and 2033.
Medical assistants in Alaska earn a decent salary, with an average pay of $23.75 per hour, or $49,400 per year, and a median pay of $50,160 per year, or $24.12 per hour. Medical assistants in Alaska earn a higher wage than those working in most other states.
The Alaska Medical Assistant Society (AMAS) is associated with the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and offers continuing education courses, conferences, and support for medical assistants working in Alaska.
The AMAS website includes a chat forum, job postings, and information about their annual conference.
