Trade Schools
If you live in Virginia and you’re contemplating the idea of starting a career in the medical assisting field, this page is for you.
Here you will find more information about the best medical assistant schools in Virginia and the programs they offer.
The programs lead to a diploma or degree and last between less than one year and up to two years.
The curriculum usually covers both the administrative and clinical skills needed for this profession, including:
- Taking patients’ vital signs
- Administering medication
- Assisting physicians during exams
- Scheduling appointments
- Performing EKGs
- And more
With a projected job growth of 16 percent by 2031, medical assistants will continue to be needed in the future.
If this is the path you want to pursue, we invite you to read further.
1Tidewater Medical Training
About the School
Tidewater Medical Training offers training for those who want to start careers as Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Clinical Medical Assistants, Phlebotomists, EKG Technicians, and Medical Billing & Coding Specialists, as well as CPR training programs at two different locations.
Courses Offered
The school provides a Clinical Medical Assistant and an Administrative Medical Assistant program.
The Clinical Medical Assistant program available at Tidewater Medical Training includes 142 hours: 63 completed online, 39 classroom hours, and 40 externship hours.
To qualify for admission into the program applicants must meet requirements such as:
- Hold a high school diploma or GED
- Have no felonies
- Have a current American Red Cross or American Heart Association BLS Certification
- Complete a TB test, Hepatitis B vaccination, or declination form
This program costs $2,035 and includes tuition, non-refundable registration, books & materials, supplies, and background check.
The curriculum covers topics such as Medical Terminology, Documenting Patient Care, Anatomy and Physiology, Infection Control, Drawing Blood, Immunizations, Assisting Physicians with Patient Care, and more.
The Administrative Medical Assistant program includes 91 hours: 85 online and 6 in the classroom.
This program costs $1,600.
Students take classes on Medical Terminology, Documenting Patient Care, Electronic Health Records, Medical Coding, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 1503 Hardy Cash Drive, Hampton, VA 23666
- Phone: 757-320-1780
- Website: https://www.tidewatermedicaltraining.com
2American Institute of Health Science & Technology
About the School
American Institute of Health Science & Technology offers career-focused education to students and a competency-based curriculum.
The institute provides an affordable medical assistant course that can be completed in 12 weeks.
Online courses are also available.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- EKG Technician Course
- Medical Assistant Course
- Pharmacy Technician Course
- Medical Billing and Coding Course
- Phlebotomy Technician Course
- Abdominal Ultrasonography Course
- Vascular Ultrasonography Course
- Obstetrics and Gynecological Ultrasonography
- Echocardiography Course
The Medical Assistant course prepares students for work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, outpatient facilities, and surgical centers.
Students learn how to perform clinical tasks such as drawing blood and performing basic laboratory tests, as well as administrative tasks, like updating patient records, billing, and scheduling.
The program also teaches skills such as measuring vital signs, recording medical history, performing EKGs, injections, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 131 Elden St Suite #212, Herndon, VA 20170
- Phone: 703-817-2968
- Website: https://aihstusa.com
3Chester Career College
About the School
Chester Career College provides training programs that prepare students for careers in phlebotomy, surgical technology, medical assisting, massage therapy, and more.
The college is certified to operate in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
CCC is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available at Chester Career College leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree and provides students with the skills needed for entry-level positions as Medical Assistants.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Patient Care and Communication
- Medical Office and Health Sciences
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory System
- Laboratory Procedures
- Psychology, Medical Law & Ethics
- Externship
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Mathematics
- And more
In total, the program includes 62 credits.
Day classes are held Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Evening classes take place Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
This program combines classroom instruction, an interactive lab, and an externship.
Tuition for the Medical Assistant program is $31,895.
Students are also charged a non-refundable application fee of $25.
Contact Information
- Address: 751 W Hundred Rd, Chester, VA 23836
- Phone: 804-751-9191
- Website: https://www.chestercareercollege.edu
4ECPI University
About the School
ECPI University offers a wide variety of health science programs that can be completed fast.
The university has campuses in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Newport News.
ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
A Diploma and an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting are available.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Coding & Billing
- Principles of Pharmacology
- Medical Ethics
- Medical Office Procedures
- EKG Technician and Cardiology
- And more
The diploma program requires 28 credit hours in total.
Diploma recipients may be eligible to pursue entry-level careers as medical assistants, phlebotomists, or EKG technicians in clinics, physicians’ offices, and related healthcare settings.
The program is available in Charlotte and Newport News.
The Associate degree requires 34 semester credit hours of a core curriculum and 21 semester credit hours of arts and sciences.
Tuition for the Medical Assistant program is $7,848.
Contact Information
- Address: 5501 Greenwich Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23462
- Phone: 757.517.3903
- Website: https://www.ecpi.edu
5Eastern Virginia Career College
About the School
Eastern Virginia Career College is a degree-granting college in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The college provides student-focused instruction in the classroom, online, and through labs, clinics, and work-based experiences.
Eastern Virginia Career College is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.
Courses Offered
Among many other career pathways, the college provides a Medical Assistant program that leads to a diploma.
Students enrolled in this program learn skills such as:
- Measuring vital signs
- Keeping medical charts updated
- Assisting in diagnostic procedures
- Phlebotomy techniques and procedures
- Electrocardiogram techniques and procedures
- Performing front office duties and responsibilities
- And more
The program meets the requirements to test for national certification with National HealthCareer Association.
After completing the program, students are prepared for a successful and rewarding career in the growing healthcare industry.
Contact Information
- Address: 10304 Spotsylvania Ave, Suite 400, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
- Phone: 540-373-2200
- Website: https://evcc.edu
6AlliedRx
About the School
AlliedRx offers a variety of programs on-campus and online.
Students learn through interactive classes and hands-on lab simulations.
Courses offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing & Coding
- EKG Technician
The Clinical Medical Assistant program available at the school teaches students how to perform every aspect of the CCMA role.
The school also offers simulation activities to allow students to develop their skills.
The program can be completed in 16 weeks.
The daytime program takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The evening program is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The program is available online and on campus.
Admission is open to those who are at least 18 years of age.
The curriculum includes classes on asepsis, phlebotomy, vital signs, lab safety, quality control, performing selective tests, preparation and administration of medications, EKG, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 2105 E Parham Rd #108, Henrico, VA 23228
- Phone: 866-348-6920
- Website: https://alliedrxtraining.com
7Fortis College
About the School
Fortis College in Norfolk provides career education and training to people in the greater Tidewater area.
The college offers programs in the nursing, medical, dental, massage, and trade fields.
Fortis College in Norfolk is a branch campus of Fortis College in Foley, AL, which is accredited by the ABHES.
The college also has a campus in Richmond, Virginia.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available at Fortis College teaches students how to:
- Deliver compassionate patient care
- Fulfill routine administrative responsibilities
- Thrive in a fast-paced work setting
Graduates may find employment in a variety of settings, including medical facilities and clinics, hospitals, health centers, assisted living facilities, and inpatient and outpatient care centers.
The Medical Assisting program available at Fortis College, Norfolk campus costs $16,825
This includes tuition, administration and tech fees, scrubs/uniforms, student kits, laptops, certification/licensure exams, ebooks, and textbooks.
Contact Information
- Address: 6300 Center Drive, Suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23502
- Phone: (757) 499-5447
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
8Centura College
About the School
Centura College offers training programs at five locations in Virginia.
The college began offering career placement services in 1969.
In 1983, its first school, the Electronic Institute of Technology in Norfolk, was opened.
Centura College provides hands-on career training programs that give students the skills needed for success in many industries.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assisting with Clinical Support Degree Program is available at the college.
This program leads to an Associate of Occupational Science Degree in Medical Assisting with a Concentration in Clinical Support.
The program is 15 months long.
Day courses are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while night courses take place from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
The program is available online.
The curriculum focuses on back office tasks, limited scope radiology, or clinical areas of health care facilities.
Among many other topics, students learn the fundamentals of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical laboratory procedures, exam room procedures, and insurance billing.
The AOS- Medical Assisting Clinical Support program at Centura Chesapeake costs $34,800 in total.
Contact Information
- Address: 4455 South Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452
- Phone: 877-523-9528
- Website: https://www.centuracollege.edu
9FastTrack Healthcare Education
About the School
FastTrack Healthcare Education provides programs that prepare students for licensure exams and careers in a variety of healthcare fields.
Students need a high school diploma or equivalent before taking the national exam.
The school is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Courses Offered
The Clinical Medical Assistant program available at FastTrack Healthcare Education equips students with the necessary training and skills required to challenge the National Health Career Association Certified Clinical Medical Assistant national exam.
The program requires 360 classroom hours of lectures and labs and 120 hours of a clinical externship.
To qualify for admission, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Have valid CPR
- Pass a drug test
- Provide an immunization record
- Pass a TB test administered by the school for a fee
- Provide Hepatitis B immunization or wave in writing
- Covid vaccines
Tuition for the Clinical Medical Assistant program is $5,200.
Contact Information
- Address: 3201 Brandon Ave, SW Suite 8, Roanoke, Virginia. 24018
- Phone: (540) 981-9111
- Website: https://www.fasttrackhc.com
10The Medical Education Center
About the School
The Medical Education Center prepares students for careers in the medical field.
Students also have the opportunity to achieve national certification by MedCa and NHA.
Courses Offered
The center provides the following classes:
- Medical Assistant
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Intravenous (IV)
The Medical Assistant program available at The Medical Education Center teaches students about:
- Proper patient confidentiality
- Assessing the sick patient
- Equipment selection and use
- Functioning as a liaison between patient and doctor
- Vital signs
- Completion of requisitions and specimen labeling
- Pediatric immunizations, injections
- Demonstration of equipment
- And more
Evening sessions take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Daytime classes are between 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Students are also required to complete a 40-hour externship to be performed after the classroom training
This program costs $3,800.
After completing the program, those who pass the national exam will be certified by MedCA at a national level.
Those who don’t complete a training program must have two years of work experience as medical assistants to qualify for the test.
The certification is good for one year with renewal required.
Contact Information
- Address: 20609 Gordon Park Square, #130, Ashburn, VA 20147
- Phone: (703) 975-5115
- Website: https://www.medicaleducationcenter.net
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 190 | $36,880 | $17.73 | $43,790 | $30,830 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 400 | $40,620 | $19.53 | $46,080 | $35,660 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 310 | $38,440 | $18.48 | $44,120 | $35,960 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 540 | $37,900 | $18.22 | $43,760 | $31,680 |
| Richmond, VA | 2,560 | $40,740 | $19.59 | $46,350 | $33,260 |
| Roanoke, VA | 660 | $37,760 | $18.16 | $43,580 | $32,870 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 150 | $40,880 | $19.65 | $47,150 | $30,820 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 3,420 | $39,970 | $19.22 | $45,310 | $34,630 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 410 | $39,650 | $19.06 | $44,410 | $33,580 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of the best 10 medical assistant schools in Virginia, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
This is an important step, so take your time and make an informed decision.
