Trade Schools
If you live in Pennsylvania and you want to start a career in the medical assisting field, this page is for you.
Here we will compile information about the top schools that offer training programs in this field, their curriculum, tuition costs, and other factors that may help you choose the format and the school that fits your needs best.
Most programs are designed to be completed in less than a year and lead to a diploma or certificate and prepare students for the state licensing exam.
Students learn through a combination of lectures and clinical hands-on training.
The curriculum usually covers topics such as:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Phlebotomy
- Pharmacology
- Medical Law and Ethics
- And many other relevant topics
Depending on the credential you’re seeking the programs can last between less than a year and two years.
1Institute of Medical & Business Careers
About the School
The Institute of Medical & Business Careers prepares students for careers in the medical and business field.
Online and on-campus programs are available.
The center has two campuses: Pittsburgh and Erie.
The Institute of Medical & Business Careers is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Courses Offered
The school’s catalog includes the following programs:
- Dental Assisting
- Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy
- Medical Assisting Technician
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Medical Office Administration
- Medical Records Technician
The Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy program is available in Erie and Pittsburgh.
The program lasts slightly more than a year and is available on-campus with an optional online component.
After completing the program, students are prepared for the following certifications:
- The Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant administered by the National Association for Health Professionals
- The Nationally Registered Certified Phlebotomy Technician credential which is administered by the National Association for Health Professionals
- CPR certification
The Medical Assisting Technician program can be completed in one and a half year and leads to a specialized associate degree in the field of medicine and healthcare.
Contact Information
- Address: 5739 W 26th Street Erie, PA 16506
- Phone: 855.773.0758
- Website: https://imbc.edu
2All-State Career
About the School
All-State Career provides comprehensive programs designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in their chosen field.
Each of the All-State Career campuses is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
The school has two campuses in Pennsylvania: Essington and Pittsburgh.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assisting program available at All-State Career prepares students for careers providing clinical and administrative support to physicians.
The program is reviewed and updated to keep up with the changes in equipment, standards, or methods for treating patients in a variety of medical settings.
Applicants typically must be high school graduates or hold an equivalent credential.
A personal information sheet also has to be completed.
After a personal interview with the admissions staff, students will receive help in finding the right program for their needs.
Every potential student has the opportunity to tour the facility, meet with the Financial Aid team, and enroll in the next available classes.
Contact Information
- Address: 50 W. Powhattan Avenue, Essington, PA 19029
- Phone: 610.362.1124
- Website: https://www.allstatecareer.edu
3Prism Career Institute
About the School
Prism Career Institute provides medical career training programs in Philadelphia.
The school keeps in touch with the business community to ensure its medically-focused career training programs keep up with current employer expectations.
The institute is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training in all of its locations.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assistant program is available at the Prism Career Institute and is designed to prepare students for employment in a variety of healthcare facilities.
Students learn the skills needed to help patients have a positive experience and keep the facility’s daily operations running smoothly.
Among other topics, the Medical Assisting curriculum covers:
- Medical law and ethics
- Anatomy and physiology
- Electrocardiography
- Pharmacology
- Phlebotomy
- Patient history/vital signs/CPR
- Clinical Procedures
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Sign an attestation that they have received either a high school diploma or GED
- Complete and admissions interview
- Achieve a passing score on the required entrance exams
Contact Information
- Address: 8040 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19152
- Phone: (215) 402-2007
- Website: https://www.prismcareerinstitute.edu
4Lincoln Tech
About the School
Lincoln Tech has trained students throughout the Lehigh Valley since 1949.
The school is equipped with specialized training labs and classrooms to meet the needs of students who want to start careers in the electrical, healthcare, and information technology industries.
Lincoln Tech is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The school has medical assisting labs and simulation manikins for students who want to prepare for a healthcare career.
Grants, scholarships, and other financial aid options are available for students who qualify.
Students prepare to work directly with patients and learn how to perform tasks such as:
- Taking vital signs
- Recording medical histories
- Applying surgical dressings
- Collecting specimens
- And more
The curriculum includes the following core courses:
- Cardiopulmonary Medical Procedures
- Musculoskeletal System and Medication Administration
- Clinical Lab Techniques
- Laboratory and Surgical Procedures
- Administrative Medical Office
- Medical Assisting Internship
The total cost for the Medical Assistant program at the Allentown campus is $21,932.
This includes tuition, books, uniforms, student fee, the estimated cost of tools/tax, registration, and technology fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 5151 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104
- Phone: (610) 398-5300
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu
5Fortis Institute
About the School
Fortis Institute in Forty Fort is a Pennsylvania technical school located near Wilkes-Barre in the borough of Forty Fort.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available at Fortis Institute prepares students with the skills to:
- Keep healthcare offices running efficiently by successfully managing administrative tasks
- Provide patient support and deliver compassionate care in a variety of settings and facilities
- Step into various roles to fill in gaps and provide a positive patient experience
To qualify for admissions, in most cases, applicants must be high school graduates or their equivalent.
A personal interview also takes place during the admission process.
This is when the admissions team reviews the applicants’ career goals to help each prospective student finds the right program for their needs.
Applicants also have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet with Financial Aid, and enroll in the next available classes.
The total cost for the Medical Assistant program is $17,081 and includes tuition, enrollment fee, scrubs/uniforms, students kit, certification exam, and textbooks.
Contact Information
- Address: 166 Slocum Street, Forty Fort, PA 18704
- Phone: (570) 288-8400
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
6United Career Institute
About the School
The United Career Institute is part of a family of academic institutions that have successfully offered career training to students for many years.
The institute has campuses in Irwin and Mt. Braddock.
Both campuses provide a Medical Assistant program.
United Career Institute is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools to award associate degrees and diplomas.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program is designed to prepare students for rewarding healthcare careers.
The program focuses on hands-on training to get students ready for numerous positions in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and clinics.
The Medical Assisting curriculum teaches skills such as:
- Checking Vital Signs
- Assisting Doctors and Nurses with Exams
- Conducting Point of Care Testing
- Performing Lab Tests
- Practicing Phlebotomy
- Managing Sterilizing Procedures
- Assisting with Minor Surgeries
- Administering Injections
- And more
The program prepares students for the following certification exams: National Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Certified EKG Technician and Certified Phlebotomy Technician.
Contact Information
- Address: 8957 Lincoln Highway, Suite 101-A, Irwin, PA 15642
- Phone: 724-515-2440
- Website: https://unitedcareer.edu
7YTI Career Institute
About the School
YTI Career Institute offers career training programs in computer, culinary arts, healthcare, and trades fields.
The programs are designed to prepare students with the technical skills needed to become valued employees in today’s competitive workforce.
Hybrid, online, and on-campus programs are available to fit students’ schedules.
The institute’s catalog includes 13 career training programs taught by industry professionals.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available at the school prepares students with the skills needed for a new career in as few as 20 months.
The program is provided in a hybrid format and includes online lectures and on-campus labs.
Students learn how to use the equipment and instruments they will find on their first day of work in a real medical office.
Graduates receive an Associate Degree in Specialized Technology.
Students who attend this program can earn Phlebotomy, CPR, and CCMA Certifications.
The first test fee cost is included in the tuition.
Contact Information
- Address: 3050 Hempland Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
- Phone: (717) 295-1100
- Website: https://yti.edu
8McCann School of Business & Technology
About the School
McCann School of Business & Technology provides technical and vocational training to launch students into a new future.
The school was founded in 1897 and has three locations in different states where it provides industry-informed, career-focused vocational education.
The courses are taught by an industry-experienced faculty.
The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assisting program available at McCann School of Business & Technology can be completed in 18 months and includes 92 credit hours.
The curriculum includes classes on topics such as:
- Body Systems and Functions
- Allied Health Orientation
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Medical Office Systems
- Clinical Foundations
- Clinical Specialties
- Intermediate Coding
- Environmental Science
- And more
Enrollment is on a rolling basis with programs beginning every 5 to 10 weeks.
Contact Information
- Address: 7495 Westbranch Highway, Lewisburg, PA 17837
- Phone: (866) 865-8065
- Website: https://www.mccann.edu
9Philadelphia Job Corps Center
About the School
Philadelphia Job Corps Center provides free career training to help students gain the skills and tools they need to be successful.
According to its website, the center’s purpose is to help young people reach their goals and find their purpose.
The programs available at the center are self-paced and school staff works with their students every step of the way.
Courses Offered
The school’s catalog includes a Clinical Medical Assistant program that teaches skills such as:
- Preparing treatment rooms before patient exams
- Interviewing patients
- Taking and measuring vital signs
- Assisting physicians during exams
- Recording patient information in records
- Using emergency first aid
Students enrolled in this program earn nationally recognized credentials from the National Healthcareer Association and a state-issued license.
Before starting training, applicants need to meet the following requirements:
- Complete the core Job Corps curriculum with passing scores on all written and performance tests
- Meet basic academic requirements in math and reading
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Contact Information
- Address: 2810 S 20th St Bldg 12, Philadelphia, PA 19145-5001
- Phone: 800-733-JOBS
- Website: https://philadelphia.jobcorps.gov
10Great Lakes Institute of Technology
About the School
Great Lakes Institute of Technology provides short-term career training programs that prepare students for careers in healthcare and related fields.
Most of its programs are short in length and allow students to spend most of their time in their field of study.
The school keeps a low faculty-to-student ratio to ensure each student receives personalized attention and support from the instructors.
Great Lakes Institute of Technology is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available at the institute is 10 months in length and leads to a Diploma.
The following certification opportunities are available:
- Clinical Medical Assistant Certification
- Clinical Phlebotomy Technician Certification
The curriculum includes classes on:
- Medical Administrative Skills
- Clinical Skills
- Medical Terminology and Anatomy
- Electronic Medical Records
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Career Development
- Medical Assistant Externship
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5100 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16509
- Phone: 814.864.6666
- Website: https://glit.edu
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 1,610 | $39,550 | $19.02 | $47,310 | $33,040 |
| Altoona, PA | 360 | $34,030 | $16.36 | $43,790 | $29,130 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 140 | $36,240 | $17.42 | $44,300 | $31,200 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 260 | $38,410 | $18.46 | $51,000 | $30,160 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 200 | $34,890 | $16.77 | $40,110 | $29,670 |
| Erie, PA | 470 | $35,240 | $16.94 | $44,220 | $30,330 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 150 | $38,250 | $18.39 | $48,090 | $31,140 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 1,310 | $38,600 | $18.56 | $47,150 | $30,620 |
| Johnstown, PA | 240 | $33,640 | $16.17 | $42,510 | $26,090 |
| Lancaster, PA | 900 | $38,740 | $18.62 | $47,190 | $31,420 |
| Lebanon, PA | 190 | $38,130 | $18.33 | $47,950 | $30,970 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 12,250 | $41,520 | $19.96 | $47,960 | $35,010 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 5,230 | $37,980 | $18.26 | $44,730 | $31,200 |
| Reading, PA | 710 | $39,960 | $19.21 | $47,760 | $34,260 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 800 | $36,960 | $17.77 | $46,090 | $30,760 |
| State College, PA | 180 | $37,560 | $18.06 | $46,720 | $30,570 |
| Williamsport, PA | 230 | $36,290 | $17.45 | $45,240 | $29,260 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 700 | $37,830 | $18.19 | $46,750 | $30,510 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Medical Assistants play an important part in ensuring day-to-day operations in a medical office run like clockwork.
If you’re a compassionate person who enjoys interacting with people every day, a career in healthcare may be the right fit for you.
Now that you have read our list of top Pennsylvania medical assistant schools, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
This is an important step, so make sure the program you choose fits your schedule, budget, and career aspirations.
