Trade Schools
Medical assistants play an important part in the office of any healthcare professional.
They are the ones who schedule appointments, answer phones, and greet patients while also completing a variety of clinical tasks, including taking vital signs, preparing patients for procedures, and assisting physicians during physical exams.
This profession implies a lot of responsibility and it requires some special skills.
Most medical assistants prepare for their careers through a certificate or diploma program at a community college or trade school.
To help you choose the format that best works for you, on this page we will compile information about the top medical assistant schools in the state of Montana.
1Charter College
About the School
Charter College offers training opportunities for healthcare careers.
Programs are available for residents in Yellowstone County.
The school provides hybrid programs that combine online and in-classroom studies.
The flexible schedules allow students to manage other obligations while preparing for new careers.
Teachers provide students with individualized attention and small class sizes.
Charter College is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Courses Offered
A Certificate in Medical Assistant is available at the college.
The curriculum covers topics such as:
- Compliance in Health Care Environments
- Patient Care Concepts
- Medical Office Emergencies
- Medical Terminology Fundamentals
- Functions of Health Records Management
- Medical Insurance Billing and Coding
- And more
The program can be completed in 10 months.
Classes start every five weeks.
Students are also required to complete a 180-hour externship program at a local clinic, physician’s office, hospital, HMO, or another facility.
During this time, they receive hands-on real-world experience.
Contact Information
- Address: 1595 Grand Ave #230, Billings, MT 59102
- Phone: 888.200.9942
- Website: https://www.chartercollege.edu
2Pima Medical Institute
About the School
Pima Medical Institute is located on the University of Montana’s Western campus.
Students have access to the university’s facilities, including dining, recreation, and the library.
Pima Medical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assistant Certificate program is available at Pima Medical Institute.
The program can be completed in approximately nine months and teaches students the personal training and professional skills required by entry-level medical assistants.
The clinical duties medical assistants may perform include:
- Preparing patients for exams
- Taking patients’ medical histories
- Answering patient questions
- Assisting physicians and nurses during exams
- Performing basic lab tests
- Informing patients about medications
- Removing sutures or changing dressings
- And more
Students also learn how to perform the following clerical duties:
- Welcoming patients
- Answering phones
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Filing patient records
- Filling out insurance forms
- Handling billing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 434 E. Poindexter Street, Dillon, MT 59725
- Phone: 800-477-PIMA
- Website: https://pmi.edu
3Helena College
About the School
Helena College provides a list of over 30 degree and certificate options.
The programs prepare students for employment in a variety of in-demand fields, including the healthcare industry.
Courses Offers
The following health sciences programs are available:
- Exercise Science
- Nursing
- Pre-Pharmacy
The curriculum and tuition costs vary depending on the program.
The following Nursing programs are available: Practical Nursing C.A.S., Registered Nursing A.S., Practical Nursing C.A.S., Registered Nursing A.S.
The Practical Nursing program costs $4,658 for in-state students.
This program can be completed in one year.
Classes are available through a virtual-blended format at Helena College and in Hamilton through a partnership with Bitterroot College.
Graduates are ready to apply for the National Council of Licensing Examination LPN licensure examination from the Montana State Board of Nursing.
The Associate of Science in Registered Nursing program offered at the Helena College University of Montana at the Donaldson Campus is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Contact Information
- Address: 1115 North Roberts St, Helena Montana, 59601
- Phone: (406) 447-6900
- Website: https://helenacollege.edu
4Gallatin College Montana State University
About the School
Gallatin College offers more than a dozen programs that lead to associate degrees and professional certificates.
The programs are designed to get students into the workforce quickly.
More than 250 programs are available at the college.
The total resident cost is $237.69 and includes $112.40 for tuition and $125.29 for fees.
Workforce programs, dual enrollment, transfer, and general education programs are available at the college.
Courses Offered
Gallatin College provides a Medical Assistant program that leads to a Certificate of Applied Science.
The program prepares students with the necessary skills for entry-level jobs in a variety of medical settings.
Students prepare for employment in ambulatory medical settings such as physicians’ offices, clinics, and surgical centers.
The curriculum includes classes on topics such as:
- Pharmacology for Health Care Providers
- Medical Terminology
- Human Form & Function
- MA Clinical Procedures
- Math Applications Health
- Medical Office Procedures
- Medical Assisting Externship
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 101 Hamilton Hall, PO Box 170515, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Phone: 406-994-5536
- Website: https://gallatin.montana.edu
5University of Montana
About the School
University of Montana’s College of Health is home to degree-granting programs in the fields of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Integrative Physiology & Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Social Work, Social Work, and many other fields.
Courses Offered
The School of Public and Community Health Sciences provides undergraduate, certificate, master’s, and Ph.D. programs.
The following graduate certificate programs are available:
- Certificate in Public Health
- Certificate in Public Health Administration
- Certificate in Epidemiology
- Certificate in Environmental Health Sciences
- Certificate in Global Health
A Bachelor of Science in Public Health is also available at the college.
This program includes classes such as:
- Introduction to Public Health
- Public Health Policy
- Issues in Medical and Public Health Ethics
- Introduction to Healthcare Informatics
- Program Planning in Community Health and Mind/Body/Spirit
- Health Care Systems and Organizations
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812
- Phone: 406-243-0211
- Website: https://www.umt.edu
6Flathead Valley Community College
About the School
Flathead Valley Community College has a campus in Lincoln, Montana.
The school is located in the mountainous rural community of Libby.
Available are programs that prepare students for employment in a variety of industries, including the healthcare field.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Nursing: Registered Nursing, ASN, Nursing: Practical Nursing, CAS, and a Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) Courses.
The Registered Nursing program prepares students for employment in various healthcare environments.
After completing the program students will know how to perform tasks such as:
- Develop and lead programs for health promotion and disease prevention
- Engage patients and families as partners
- Promote and lead cooperation, coordination, and communication among team members
- Demonstrate the ability to use technology to gather and analyze data
- And more
The program includes courses such as:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- College Algebra
- College Math for Healthcare
- Nursing Pharmacology Lab
- Foundations of Nursing Laboratory
- Adult Nursing
- Health and Illness of Maternal Nursing
- Mental Health Concepts
- And more
In total, the Registered Nurse, ASN program includes 73 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 777 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901
- Phone: (406) 756-3822 | (800) 313-3822
- Website: https://www.fvcc.edu
7Billings Public Schools
About the School
Billings Public Schools is designed to meet the needs of all students through a variety of academic offerings, extra-curricular activities, and other educational opportunities.
The district has a career technical education center.
Courses Offered
An Administrative Assistant Certificate program is available at the school and prepares students for careers in providing administrative support for officers or executives of a company or organization.
This program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to qualify for entry-level administrative assistant positions, in secretarial, receptionist, clerical, and similar administrative positions.
The curriculum teaches administrative office procedures, computer applications, written communication skills, and other topics that help students become successful as business personnel in today’s world.
Contact Information
- Address: 415 N. 30th St, Billings, MT 59101
- Phone: 406-281-5000
- Website: https://www.billingsschools.org
8Salish Kootenai College
About the School
Salish Kootenai College provides programs that lead to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, or other credentials.
The college offers a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
The total quarterly cost is between $290-$348.25 per credit hour for Montana residents.
Salish Kootenai College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Applicants need a high school diploma from an accredited high school or a high school equivalency credential.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assistant program is available at the college.
This program includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Medical Assisting
- Medical Terminology for the Medical Assistant
- Human Relations for the Medical Assistant
- Clinical Skills
- Client Communication
- Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant
- Career Development
- And more
This program leads to a Certificate of Completion.
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 70, 58138 US Highway 93, Pablo, MT 59855
- Phone: 406.275.4800
- Website: https://www.skc.edu
9Bitteroot College
About the School
Bitterroot College offers a variety of college courses and college and workforce programs.
The programs are designed to prepare students for careers in a variety of fields, including the healthcare industry.
The University of Montana is accredited by the Northwestern Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The following medical courses are available at the college:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician
- Certified Nursing Aide
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program trains students to assist physicians by performing functions related to clinical responsibilities in a medical office.
The curriculum includes, among other skills, preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, diagnostic testing, and technical aspects of phlebotomy.
Students also review topics such as phlebotomy, pharmacology, the proper use and administration of medications, taking vital signs, ethics, the legal aspects of healthcare, and more.
The program includes classroom lectures, hands-on labs, and a clinical externship opportunity at a local healthcare provider.
Graduates are ready to sit for the National Health Career Association Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam.
An optional externship of 160 hours is available after completing the program and the CCMA exam.
This program costs $3,290.
Contact Information
- Address: 03 S. 9th street, Hamilton, Montana 59840
- Phone: 406-243-0211
- Website: https://www.umt.edu/bitterroot-college
10Northwest College
About the School
Medical Assisting programs are also available in the neighboring state of Wyoming.
One such program is offered at Northwest College in Powell and Cody, Wyoming.
Northwest College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant Certificate program available at Northwest College focuses on providing students with the knowledge and skills needed for work in a medical office under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
The curriculum includes classes on topics such as:
- English Composition
- Problem Solving
- Allied Health First Year Seminar
- Medical Office Assistant
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- Medical Terminology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
In total, students need 32 credits to achieve the Certificate.
After successfully completing this program, students are prepared to sit for the certified medical assistant exam and be able to work as entry-level medical assistants.
Contact Information
- Address: 231 West 6th Street, Powell, Wyoming, 82435
- Phone: 800-560-4692
- Website: https://nwc.edu
Regional Salary in Montana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 410 | $42,170 | $20.28 | $49,530 | $31,860 |
| Great Falls, MT | 220 | $42,030 | $20.21 | $44,800 | $36,850 |
| Missoula, MT | 460 | $44,570 | $21.43 | $54,740 | $37,010 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
The medical assistant profession can be a right fit for compassionate persons who enjoy interacting with people daily.
Now that you have read our list, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
This is an important step, so take your time and be thorough.
