Are you curious where medical assistants build their careers?
Whether you’re answering patient calls or running EKG tests, medical assistants (MAs) are vital to modern healthcare.
Let’s explore where they work, why demand is rising, how Helms trains future professionals, and the most common questions prospective students search.
What is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant is a multi-skilled healthcare professional trained to perform both administrative and clinical duties—everything from scheduling appointments and medical billing to drawing blood, taking vital signs, and assisting physicians during patient exams.
In Georgia, most employers prefer graduates from accredited training programs like Helms College’s Multi‑Skilled Medical Assistant Degree, which can be completed in about 12 months and qualifies you to sit for certification exams such as CMA, RMA, or CCMA.
Where Medical Assistants Work in Georgia
Medical assistants work in a wide variety of healthcare environments. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- 56% work in physicians’ offices (primary care, pediatrics, family medicine)
- 16% work in hospitals
- 9% in outpatient care centers
- 8% in offices of other practitioners like podiatrists or chiropractors.
Beyond these, MAs may also be found in urgent care centers, specialty clinics, dermatology, OB‑GYN, cardiology, optometry, orthopedics, laboratory settings, and even public health clinics or clinical research trials.
In the Augusta region and the broader CSRA (Central Savannah River Area), common medical assistant employers include:
- Private practices in family medicine, pediatrics, OB‑GYN, and dermatology
- Urgent care facilities (e.g. Augusta urgent care chains)
- Community clinics, health centers, and outpatient surgery centers in Augusta and surrounding counties
- Hospitals—Augusta University Medical Center and East Central Regional Hospital, among others
- Specialty practices (e.g. cardiology, imaging centers) in Macon, Savannah, or Atlanta, a short drive away
The strong healthcare infrastructure in Augusta, Macon, and other Georgia cities means plenty of job opportunities for trained MAs.
Helms College’s Medical Assistant Training Program (Augusta, GA)
At Helms College’s Augusta campus, the Multi‑Skilled Medical Assistant Degree program blends classroom learning, clinical labs, and an externship to equip students to enter the workforce confidently in about 12 months.
Program highlights:
- Clinical training includes phlebotomy, EKG, injections, lab techniques, pharmacology, and patient assessment
- Administrative training covers medical office procedures, scheduling, electronic health records, billing/coding, and communication
- Externship experience gives real-world exposure to practice settings before graduation
- Career services and job placement support—Helms reports a 93% placement rate within six months of graduating
- Certification readiness—graduates prepared to take national certification exams like CMA, CCMA, or RMA
Common FAQs
Q: How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Georgia?
A: Helms College’s Multi‑Skilled Medical Assistant program is designed to be completed in about 12 months—including hands-on training and externship experience.
Q: Where can medical assistants work in Georgia?
A: Opportunities include physician offices (family, pediatric, OB‑GYN), urgent care, hospital outpatient centers, specialty clinics (cardiology, dermatology, orthopedics), lab and imaging centers, and public health clinics—especially in Augusta, Macon, and Atlanta regions.
Q: Do you need certification to be a medical assistant in Georgia?
A: Certification is not required by Georgia law, but most employers prefer or require certification credentials like CMA, RMA, or CCMA. Helms prepares students to take those exams after graduation.
Q: What skills does Helms teach?
A: You learn both clinical skills (phlebotomy, EKG, injections, labs) and administrative skills (medical records, scheduling, billing & coding, EHRs), plus soft skills like communication and patient engagement.
Q: What’s the job outlook in Georgia like for medical assistants?
A: Projected growth for MAs in Georgia is around 23% (2022–32), which is faster than the national average (15%).
Why Choose Helms College in Augusta?
- Local access: Train close to home in Augusta, which has a growing medical job market for MAs.
- Fast and practical training: Complete the program in just 12 months with hands-on clinical labs and externships.
- Strong outcomes: Helms reports a 93% job placement rate within six months of graduation.
- Support for certification: Helms readies you for CMA, RMA, or CCMA certification to stand out in the job search.
- Career services included: Small classes, personalized attention, and assistance with resumes and interviewing.
Medical assistants are the backbone of many healthcare settings—from busy doctor’s offices to specialized clinics and outpatient centers. In Georgia, especially around Augusta, Macon, and Atlanta, this role is in high demand and offers strong job security, competitive pay, and flexibility.
If you’re considering a healthcare career without committing to years of education, a medical assistant path via Helms College’s Augusta campus could be the ideal fit: comprehensive training, certification readiness, real-world clinical experience, and local career opportunities—all in just about one year.
Whether you envision yourself supporting physicians in primary care, working in specialty clinics, or serving communities in urgent care, Helms College provides the training—and the connections—to help you succeed.