If you live in Tennessee and you’re contemplating the idea of starting a new career in the medical field, this page is for you.
Here you will find out more about the best medical assistant programs in your state and the programs they offer.
By reading further, you will gather more information about tuition costs, admission requirements, and curriculum- all important factors in helping you decide what program works best for you.
Medical Assistant training programs combine classroom and hands-on training and typically cover both administrative and clinical skills.
The courses are designed to prepare students for certification exams and employment right after graduation.
1Allied Health Career Institute
About the School
Allied Health Career Institute provides health professional education that prepares students for a variety of career opportunities in the healthcare field.
The institute is a post-secondary educational institution authorized for operation by Tennessee Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The following healthcare programs are available at the institute:
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Licensed Practical Nurse
Classes for the medical assistant program are available in day and evening schedules.
Day classes are scheduled from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Evening classes take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tuition for the Clinical Medical Assistant program is $7,495 and includes additional fees.
This program prepares students for work in a clinical setting in a physician’s office, walk-in clinic, podiatrist, chiropractor, or other healthcare facilities.
Students learn how to handle the back office and how to assist the physician during exams and procedures.
Contact Information
- Address: 1233 Commerce Park, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
- Phone: (615) 396-8733
- Website: https://ahci.edu
2Ross Medical Education Center
About the School
Ross Medical Education Center provides healthcare training at its Knoxville campus.
The campus was opened in 2015 and is located just off the intersection of I-75 and I-140, right off Kingston Pike.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available at Ross Medical Education Center can be completed in 30 weeks by day students and in 36 weeks by students who attend evening classes.
The program includes six modules and a six-week externship.
Students learn about basic human anatomy and physiology, disease processes, medical terminology, first aid, assisting physicians with the examination, and CMA procedures.
The curriculum also covers administrative office skills such as medical charting and filing, basic word processing and computer information, customer service skills, and other routine office procedures.
Medical assistant students take courses on:
- Introduction to Office Laboratory
- Medical Office Procedures
- Medical Terminology
- Keyboarding
- Urinalysis
- Introduction to Word Processing for the Medical Office
- Financial Recordkeeping
- Mathematical Applications in the Medical Office
- Specialty Examinations and Procedures
- Hematology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 206 North Seven Oaks Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922
- Phone: (865) 297-4800
- Website: https://rosseducation.edu
3EduMed Partners
About the School
EduMed Partners prepares students for entry-level employment in the medical field in less than eight months.
Classes are kept small to allow students to actively participate in the learning process and enter their chosen careers after graduation.
EduMed Partners is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Courses Offered
EduMed provides a Clinical Medical Assistant program that can be completed in 30 weeks.
The training program focuses on venipuncture, obtaining patient history, exam preparation, vital signs, ECG, specimen processing, assisting with minor surgical procedures, and preparing the room for specialty procedures.
Tuition for this program is $6,500.
Additional fees bring the total cost to $7,500.
Applicants must be high school graduates or have a recognized equivalent diploma.
They also must pass a THEC-Approved Admission Assessment before enrolling.
An interview with an admissions representative is also part of the admissions process.
Contact Information
- Address: 907 Rivergate Parkway, Suite D2, Goodlettsville, TN 37072
- Phone: 615-528-5443 | 615-528-5444
- Website: http://www.edumed-partners.com
4Nashville General Hospital School of Health Sciences
About the School
NGH School of Health Sciences prepares students for careers in healthcare in as little as three months.
The Nashville General Hospital School of Health Sciences is the only hospital-based school in Middle Tennessee.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Radiologic Technology
- Cardiographic Technician Certification
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Phlebotomy Technician Program
- Post-Primary Medical Imaging Preceptorship Programs
- Computer Tomography Didactic Seminar
The curriculum and duration vary depending on the program.
The Phlebotomy Technician Certification program is 12 weeks long and covers both the didactic and clinical curriculum.
The program prepares students for the National Healthcareer Association Certified Phlebotomy Technician certification exam.
Tuition for this program is $950.
The Certified Nursing Assistant Program includes a total of 96 hours and emphasizes care of older adults, assistance with daily activities, bathing, dressing, eating, elimination, safety, and more.
The program takes 12 weeks to complete.
The classes and the clinical training part are held on Saturdays for eight hours each day.
Contact Information
- Address: 1818 Albion Street Nashville, Tennessee 37208
- Phone: 615-341-4659
- Website: https://www.nghschoolofhealthsciences.com
5Academy of Allied Health Careers
About the School
The Academy of Allied Health Careers provides shorter programs that save students time and money and are designed to get them ready for employment quickly.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- Professional Coder PLUS
- Medical Administrative Assistant/Electronic Health Records/Clinical Medical Assistant
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Medical Administrative Assistant/Electronic Health Records Specialist
- Nursing Assistant
The Clinical Medical Assistant program includes 309 classroom hours and 220 hours of clinical work.
After completing the training, students must pass the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant national certification exam.
The CMA day class is about 16 weeks long and the CMA evening class is about 25 weeks long.
Tuition for this program is $5,025.
Additional fees include a $100 application fee, a $140 books fee, a $135 materials fee, and a $150 technology fee.
Other costs include CPR certification, student clinical insurance, clinical name badge, and the national certification exam fee.
In total, the program costs $5,800.
Contact Information
- Address: 5600 Brainerd Road, Suite C-3, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37411
- Phone: 423-499-4999
- Website: https://aahctn.edu
6Medical Response Institute
About the School
Medical Response Institute offers programs that include 200 classroom hours and can be completed in 10 weeks.
After completing the training, students are ready to take 40 clinical hours- thus getting to apply hands-on the skills learned in class.
Students are then eligible to take their national exams and earn credentials as Certified Medical Assistants and Phlebotomy Technicians.
Classes take place Monday through Friday from 5-9 p.m.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program prepares students who can perform a wide range of duties, helping physicians in many clinical and administrative situations.
Students learn skills such as patient care, communication, office administration, medical law, and ethics.
The program also includes a Phlebotomy section that teaches patient preparation, collection techniques, processing, and safety and compliance consideration.
Classes on EKG are also covered by this program.
Contact Information
- Address: 1155 South College St. Winchester, Tennessee
- Phone: (901)282-9438
- Website: http://www.mediresponse.org
7Chattanooga College
About the School
Chattanooga College helps students prepare for careers that they’re passionate about.
Students earn industry-specific degrees and can start their careers in two years or less.
Chattanooga College, Dental, & Technical Careers, Inc. is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available at Chattanooga College is designed for students who want to become Nationally Certified Medical Assistants.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Office Procedures
- Introduction to Medical Assisting
- Ethics for the Health Professional
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Electronic Health Records
- Medical Assisting Externship
- And more
The first step in the admission process consists of filling out a form.
Applicants then schedule a meeting time and discuss their future medical assistant careers.
After completing the program, students are ready to take the certification exam.
The certification is recognized nationwide.
A Medical Office Assistant program is also available at the school and prepares students for employment as medical administrative personnel in medical offices, patient services, and medical documents.
Contact Information
- Main Campus: 5600 Brainerd Rd, Suite B38
- Phone: (423) 305-7781
- Satellite Campus: 248 Northgate Mall
- Phone: (423) 624-0078
- Website: https://www.chattanoogacollege.edu
8Fortis Institute
About the School
Fortis Institute in Nashville prepares students for nursing and healthcare careers.
Each of Fortis’ colleges and institutes is institutionally accredited by one of the following bodies:
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available in Nashville is designed for service-oriented individuals who are looking to start a career in healthcare.
The program prepares students for routine administrative and clinical tasks through hands-on training.
Students enrolled in this program gain:
- The ability to perform an array of administrative and clinical tasks
- The opportunity to work directly with patients
- Finding your passion for healthcare
The total cost for the Medical Assisting program is $14,850 and includes tuition, enrollment fee, scrubs, student kit, certification exams, and textbooks.
Graduates are ready for employment in hospitals, medical offices, clinics, inpatient and outpatient facilities, and assisted living centers
Contact Information
- Address: 3354 Perimeter Hill Dr, Suite 105, Nashville, TN 37211
- Phone: (615) 320-5917
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
9Concorde Career Colleges
About the School
Concorde Career Colleges provide career training programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of in-demand professions.
With more than 17 campuses across eight states, the college prepares the next generation of healthcare and dental professionals.
Concorde Career Colleges are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.
Courses Offered
Concorde Career Colleges provide the following allied health programs:
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Office Administrative/Medical Office Professional
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Health Care Administration
- Sterile Processing Technician
The medical assistant program can be completed in eight or 16 months.
Students learn through a combination of virtual coursework, hands-on classes, and externships that teach in-demand skills such as:
- Scheduling & Receiving Patients
- Preparing & Maintaining Medical Records
- Infection Control
- Common Diagnostic Tests & Sample Preparation
- Taking Patient Vital Signs & Medical History
- Basic First Aid & CPR
Contact Information
- Address: 5100 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38137
- Phone: 800-693-7010
- Website: https://www.concorde.edu
10TN Professional Training Institute
About the School
TN Professional Training Institute prepares students for new careers in only a few weeks.
The institute offers small classes and hands-on learning.
The facility allows students to learn while working with actual medical and dental equipment, thus preparing them for real-world scenarios.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the TN Professional Training Institute:
- Registered Dental Assistant
- Phlebotomy
- Online Medical Billing and Coding
- EKG
- Medical Assisting
The Medical Assisting program includes 160 hours of classroom instruction.
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age or older
- Have a high school degree or GED/HISET equivalent
- Have a clean criminal record
- Be willing and able to work with patients
Students learn how to complete tasks such as:
- Perform a thorough medical history
- Record the reason for the visit and the symptoms
- Take a record of vital signs
- Assist physicians with patient examinations
- Perform EKGs
- Explain medical procedures
- Communicate with patients
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1630 South Church Street Suite 302 (3rd Floor) Murfreesboro, TN 37130
- Phone: (615) 631-8440
- Website: https://tnpti.com
Regional Salary in Tennessee
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chattanooga, TN-GA | 2,400 | $39,490 | $18.98 | $55,020 | $29,820 |
Clarksville, TN-KY | 520 | $36,880 | $17.73 | $45,070 | $29,470 |
Cleveland, TN | 280 | $35,920 | $17.27 | $43,300 | $29,930 |
Jackson, TN | 400 | $36,370 | $17.49 | $44,820 | $28,130 |
Johnson City, TN | 690 | $36,110 | $17.36 | $42,880 | $29,760 |
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 690 | $36,470 | $17.53 | $44,190 | $30,570 |
Knoxville, TN | 2,640 | $38,010 | $18.28 | $45,220 | $30,890 |
Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 3,610 | $38,680 | $18.6 | $45,920 | $31,730 |
Morristown, TN | 240 | $33,860 | $16.28 | $38,380 | $27,690 |
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 5,360 | $41,860 | $20.13 | $50,450 | $35,080 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Tennessee offers plenty of training opportunities for those who want to become medical assistants.
Now that you have read our selection of 10 of the best programs in the state, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.