Becoming a Medical Assistant in Houston
Becoming a Medical Assistant in Houston: 4 Things You Need to Know
Starting a career as a medical assistant in Houston opens a world of opportunity in the healthcare sector. This guide offers a clear pathway, detailing educational requirements, certifications, and local job resources. Dive into a career that blends patient care with administrative skills, right in the heart of Texas’s bustling healthcare community.
1. Education
CCI Training, similar to many other medical assistant schools, requires applicants have any of 3 educational attainments:
- High school degree
- GED or equivalent
- An associate degree/bachelor’s degree
For students who don’t have a high school degree, here is a list of GED resources in the Houston area:
- You can study for the GED exam at any of these local prep centers:
- Houston Community College System. Phone: 713-718-5377.
- Lutheran Inter-City Network Colalboration (LINC). Phone: 281-822-5900713-426-2451. Website: linc.org/houston/
- Gulf Coast Workforce Development. Phone: 713-627-3200. Website: www.wrksolutions.com
- You can take the Texas GED exam online (requiring a “GED Ready” practice test first) for $42/subject, or in-person for $36/subject. There are 4 subjects required to get a GED, so the total cost is $169 or $144, respectively.
- You can take the GED test at certain Pearson VUE test centers across town.
2. Certification
In Texas, becoming a medical assistant (MA) doesn’t require state licensure, but employers often prefer or require certification for better job prospects and credibility. These are the primary certifications available for medical assistants:
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) – Also offered by the NHA, this certification focuses on the administrative tasks of a medical assistant. Eligibility includes completing an educational program or having relevant work experience.
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) – Offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), this certification requires passing an exam and either completing an accredited medical assisting program or meeting specific work experience requirements. Exams are held at Prometric locations around Houston (see below).
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) – Provided by the American Medical Technologists (AMT), to be eligible, candidates must graduate from an accredited program or have a certain amount of work experience, among other pathways. The RMA test is offered at Pearson VUE test centers in Houston (see locations below).
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) – The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) offers this certification. Eligibility includes graduation from an approved program, sufficient work experience, or a combination of both. The exam can be taken in-person or online and the fee is $119. In-person tests in Houston are proctored by Prometric. For more info, call the NCCT at 913-498-1243.
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) – The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers this certification, focusing on the clinical aspects of medical assisting. Eligible candidates must complete an accredited program or have work experience in the field. The exam can be taken online or in-person at a PSI testing center. The exam fee is $119. To find an in-person test center in Houston, call the NHA at 913-498-1243.
Testing Centers in Houston
The following are a list of testing centers that offer proctored exams:
- Pearson VUE
- University of Houston, Downtown – 201 Girard St 716N Houston, Texas 77002 (map, info)
- Houston Community College, Central College – 1300 Holman St., Houston, Texas 77004 (map, info)
- The LIFE Organization CDC – 6202 Lockwood Dr. Houston, Texas 77026 (map, info)
- See the Pearson VUE website for more options: Pearson VUE
- Prometric
- 7111 Harwin Dr., Houston, TX 77036 (map, yelp). Phone: 713-690-2629
- 16055 Space Center Blvd Houston, TX 77062 (map, yelp). Phone: 281-486-2030
- 8303 Sw Fwy Ste 730 Houston, TX 77074 (map, yelp). Phone: 281-822-5900
- See the Prometric website for more options: Prometric
- PSI Testing Centers
- 9555 W Sam Houston Pkwy S. #140, Houston, TX 77036 (map / google reviews). Phone: 713-969-0350
- 9800 Northwest Fwy #200, Houston, TX 77092 (map / google reviews)
- 650 N Sam Houston Pkwy E Suite 535, Houston, TX 77060 (map)
- See the PSI website for more options: PSI
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3. Jobs and Employers
Job Boards
Following are a list of links to job boards where you can find open positions for medical assistants, specifically in the Houston area:
Employers in Healthcare Field
Below are a list of allied healthcare employers in the local Houston area that are likely to have medical assistant job opportunities:
| Name | Number of Beds | URL |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Children’s Hospital | 973 beds | Texas Children’s, |
| Houston Methodist Hospital | 907 beds | Houston Methodist |
| Memorial Hermann Health System | 3,938 beds | Memorial Hermann Health System |
| MD Anderson Cancer Center | 660 beds | MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Baylor College of Medicine | N/A | Baylor College of Medicine |
| St. Luke’s Health System | 850 beds | St. Luke’s Health System |
| Harris Health System | 1,200 beds | Harris Health System |
| HCA Houston Healthcare | 1,936 beds | HCA Houston Healthcare |
| Texas Women’s Hospital | 397 beds | Texas Women’s Hospital |
| UT Health Houston | N/A | UT Health Houston |
| Ben Taub General Hospital | 586 beds | Ben Taub General Hospital |
| Houston VA Medical Center | 349 beds | Houston VA Medical Center |
| Kelsey-Seybold Clinic | N/A | Kelsey-Seybold Clinic |
| Legacy Community Health Services | N/A | Legacy Community Health Services |
| Texas Heart Institute | N/A | Texas Heart Institute |
| Kindred Hospital Houston | 100 beds | Kindred Hospital Houston |
| Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Houston | 35 beds | Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Houston |
| The Woman’s Hospital of Texas | 397 beds | The Woman’s Hospital of Texas |
| Shriners Hospitals for Children — Houston | 40 beds | Shriners Hospitals for Children — Houston |
| West Houston Medical Center | 302 beds | West Houston Medical Center |
