Trade Schools
If you’re a compassionate person who enjoys working with people and you want to start a career in the medical field, becoming a medical assistant can be the right choice.
The first step in your journey would be to complete a post-secondary training program.
Arkansas is home to many trade schools that provide medical assistant programs.
Programs are usually less than one year in length and cover all the skills needed for entry-level employment in the field.
On this page, we will compile information about some of the best medical assistant schools in the region to help you get an idea about the available options.
1Eastern College of Health Vocations
About the School
Eastern College of Health Vocations offers training programs for prospective medical and dental assistants.
The school has locations in Little Rock and New Orleans.
Flexible class schedules are available to accommodate different schedules and lifestyles.
Students who attend Eastern College of Health Vocations learn from industry-experienced instructors through hands-on, real-life training.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available at the college can be completed in 10 months.
Students learn the skills needed when supporting the work of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in clinics, hospitals, and other medical settings.
Morning classes take place from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
A night option is also offered, with classes taking place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
After completing the program, students are eligible to sit for the medical assistant certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 S University Ave, Little Rock, AR 72205
- Phone: (501) 708-0896
- Website: https://easterncollege.edu
2Arkansas College of Health Careers
About the School
Arkansas College of Health Careers prepares students for a variety of healthcare jobs.
Among many other useful skills, students learn about tools such as electronic medical records, Microsoft Office, personal protective equipment, medical information, catheters, calculators, ambulances, and more.
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be beyond the age of compulsory public school attendance
- Attend an interview with an ACHC School Admissions Representative
- Hold a high school diploma or GED
- Provide proof of social security card
- Provide proof of identification
- Complete a student enrollment agreement
- Arrange for tuition financing
- Be accepted by the director of the school
Courses Offered
The following programs are currently offered at the school:
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician (Phlebotomy Electrocardiography, Spirometry)
- Medical Business Officer
- Nursing Assistant
Contact Information
- Address: 9714 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205
- Phone: (501) 319-7573
- Website: https://achc.us
3Petra Allied Health
About the School
Petra Allied Health provides quality education for students who want to start a career in the field of allied health.
The school is licensed by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The school’s catalog includes a Medical Assistant program that consists of 144 hours of class and lab time and an 80-hour externship.
Students enrolled in this program learn about:
- Assisting with examinations
- Removing sutures
- Changing sterile dressings
- Drawing blood samples
- Performing EKGs
- And many other skills
After completing the program students are ready to sit for the American Allied Health national exam and become Registered Medical Assistants.
Applicants must meet the following admission requirements:
- Be at least 17 years of age and have a parent sign the registration form if under 18
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Tuition is $3,400.
The textbook and additional fees bring the total cost to $3,825
Contact Information
- Address: 3889 Willowood Ave. Springdale, AR 72762
- Greenpointe Center, 4300 Rogers Ave, Suite 42, Ft. Smith, AR 72903
- Phone: (800) 785-9876 (Springdale) | (479) 424-1176 (Fort Smith)
- Website: https://petraalliedhealth.com
4Baptist Health College Little Rock
About the School
Baptist Health College Little Rock offers nine programs of study designed to prepare students for careers in different health fields.
The college is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at Baptist Health College Little Rock:
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Patient Care Technician
- Practical Nursing
- Radiography
- Traditional
- LPN/Paramedic
- Sleep Technology
- Surgical Technology
The Patient Care Technician program prepares students for careers working under the supervision of nurses, advanced practice personnel, and physicians.
A PCTs role is to provide direct patient care and to help them with basic needs.
They also perform other tasks, such as preparing lab samples and performing electrocardiograms.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the following certifications through the National Center for Competency Testing:
- Patient Care Technician Certification
- ECG Technician Certification
- Phlebotomy Technician Certification
To qualify for admission, applicants must be high school graduates or have GED.
Contact Information
- Address: 11900 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, AR 72210-2820
- Phone: (501) 202-6200
- Website: https://www.bhclr.edu
5Gateway Allied Health
About the School
Gateway Allied Health is an allied health school located in Hot Springs.
The school’s catalog includes seven programs:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Certified Medical Assistant
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician
- Certified Pharmacy Technician
- Certified Electrocardiograph Technician
- Certified Surgical Technician
- Certified Medical Coding and Billing Specialist
The school is licensed and regulated by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and accredited through American Allied Health.
Courses Offered
The school provides a Medical Assistant program that includes 224 hours of class divided into 144 hours of class and lab time and 80 hours of externship.
Students enrolled in this program learn how to perform administrative and clinical procedures, such as:
- Rooming patients upon arrival
- Obtaining vital signs
- Assisting with exams and procedures
- Performing EKG, phlebotomy, and laboratory procedures
- Filling out insurance forms
- And more
After completing the program, students are eligible and ready to sit for the National Certification Exam through American Allied Health.
Contact Information
- Address: 174 Cornerstone Court, Ste C, Hot Springs, AR, 71913
- Phone: 5015212022
- Website: https://gatewayalliedhealth.com
6R&L Healthcare Phlebotomy and CNA Training School
About the School
R&L Healthcare Phlebotomy and CNA Training School provides a variety of healthcare training programs.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assistant program is available at the school.
To qualify for admission to this program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Pay a $100 registration fee
- Have a clean background record
- Hold a high school diploma or GED
Tuition for this program is $650.
This course teaches students about patient examinations, removing sutures, changing sterile dressings, drawing blood samples, and performing EKGs.
The program includes 144 contact hours.
After completing the contact hours students receive a Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion and are eligible for the certification exam offered by the National Healthcare Association.
The program is approved by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
A Phlebotomy Technician training program is also available and costs $575.
Contact Information
- Address: 6520 Baseline Road Suite A, Little Rock, AR 72209
- Phone: (501) 562-1029
- Website: https://rlhealthcare.org
7Bryan University
About the School
Bryan University provides career-focused, relevant, and personalized training since 1982.
Programs are available in the following fields: business, health and wellness, health care, and trades.
Bryan University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
Programs are available at the school’s Springfield and Rogers campuses.
The Rogers campus is certified to operate by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The university’s school of allied health provides an Associate in Applied Science program for prospective Medical Assistants.
This degree program is designed to prepare students who can meet the demands of the healthcare field.
Among other skills, students become familiar with medical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology, while also learning about the legal issues specific to the healthcare industry.
The Medical Assisting curriculum covers topics on:
- Healthcare System and Policy
- Healthcare Information Systems Management
- Healthcare Management
- Principles of Health Marketing
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Coding and Billing
- Electronic Medical Records Management
- Pharmacology
- Medical Assistant Externship
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3704 W Walnut St, Rogers, AR 72756
- Phone: 855-862-0755
- Website: https://bryanu.edu
8Arkansas State University Mid-South
About the School
Arkansas State University Mid-South provides academic programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of industries.
The university also provides technical programs that can lead to Certificates of Proficiency, Technical Certificates, or Associate of Applied Science degrees.
The university’s Mid-South campus covers approximately 84 acres and is located at the intersection of Broadway Street and College Boulevard.
Arkansas State University Mid-South is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Courses Offered
The Arkansas State University Mid-South includes the following allied health programs:
- Phlebotomy
- Nursing Assistant
- Health Studies
The curriculum varies depending on the program.
The health studies program includes courses on topics such as:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Medical Professions
- Career Prep
- Psychology
The Associate of Applied Science in Health Studies includes 60 credit hours in total.
The Phlebotomy program leads to a Certificate of Proficiency and requires 12 credit hours.
The Certificate of Proficiency in Nursing Assistant requires 7-8 credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 2000 West Broadway, West Memphis, AR 72301
- Phone: 870.733.6722
- Website: https://www.asumidsouth.edu
9Harding University
About the School
Harding University is a Christian institution of higher education.
The university offers a variety of training programs that prepare students for employment in clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare settings through its College of Allied Health.
Undergraduate tuition at the university is $750 per hour.
Graduate tuition varies depending on the program.
Courses Offered
The university’s catalog includes undergraduate areas of study in:
- Communication Science & Disorders
- Exercise Science
- Strength & Conditioning
The following graduate areas of study are also available at Harding University:
- Cardiac Function & Interventional Technology
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant Studies
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Strength & Conditioning
The Physician Assistant program available at the university leads to a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.
The program includes 112 hours in total- 53 hours in the didactic phase and 59 hours in the clinical phase.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.
Contact Information
- Address: 915 E. Market Ave. Searcy, AR 72149-5615
- Phone: 501-279-4000
- Website: https://www.harding.edu
10Phlebotomy Training Specialists
About the School
Phlebotomy Training Specialists is a training school that offers phlebotomy classes at several locations across the United States.
The school also has a campus in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Phlebotomy is one of the clinical skills medical assistants need.
The total cost for the phlebotomy program is $995 and includes tuition, registration fee, book/supplies & equipment, and the national exam fee.
This course consists of 48 hours of in-house training which includes bookwork, intensive hands-on training, and practical examination.
On the last day of class, students may take the national exam.
If passed, this exam certifies that students can work in the phlebotomy field anywhere in the country.
California, Nevada, Louisiana, and Washington have additional licensing requirements.
To qualify for admission into the phlebotomy training program, applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
Previous experience is not required.
Day, evening and weekend schedules are available.
Contact Information
- Address: 11219 Financial Centre Parkway, Suite 311, Little Rock AR 72202
- Phone: 844-935-0965
- Website: https://www.phlebotomyusa.com
Regional Salary in Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 920 | $34,440 | $16.56 | $39,370 | $28,150 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 400 | $33,090 | $15.91 | $38,840 | $27,440 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 240 | $32,550 | $15.65 | $37,410 | $26,870 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 160 | $32,350 | $15.55 | $36,730 | $27,040 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 1,540 | $34,900 | $16.78 | $42,560 | $29,480 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 90 | $32,890 | $15.81 | $37,210 | $27,520 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to become a medical assistant, Arkansas is home to many trade schools that can get you ready for employment in under a year.
Programs are available in part-time and full-time schedules to accommodate the lifestyle of busy students.
Now that you have read our list, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs and learning style.
