12 Best Medical Assistant Programs in Honolulu, HI (2026 Update)

The demand for well-trained medical assistants continues to grow rapidly across the country. As a leader in healthcare, Honolulu offers abundant opportunities for those looking to pursue an exciting and meaningful career in healthcare. This tropical paradise is home to some of the top medical assistant programs in the nation, offering unmatched experiential learning tailored to prepare students for rewarding medical assisting jobs.

In this expert guide, we will highlight the 12 best medical assistant programs in Honolulu for 2024, to help prospective students make an informed choice.

Overview of Medical Assistant Programs in Honolulu

Medical assisting is one of the fastest growing careers in healthcare. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 23% growth in medical assisting jobs between 2020 to 2030, much faster than average across all occupations. As a vital member of the healthcare team, medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks that keep healthcare facilities running efficiently.

Honolulu offers abundant opportunities to train as a medical assistant with plenty of openings for externships and clinical practice. There are excellent medical assistant programs offered at community colleges, career schools, and technical institutes across Oahu that prepare students thoroughly through a balanced mix of classroom instruction and hands-on practice.

While certificate and diploma programs take 9 months to 1 year to complete, associate degree programs are 2 years long but allow students to gain a more comprehensive foundation. Some schools also offer shorter accelerated tracks. Upon completion, graduates take theCertified Medical Assistant exam to obtain their credentials.

Let‘s take a closer look at the top 12 picks for medical assistant training in Honolulu for 2024:

1. Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chaminade University‘s Medical Assisting Certificate program provides comprehensive training over 9 months to prepare students for administrative and clinical responsibilities in healthcare settings. Small class sizes allow for individualized attention while the modern SIM lab facilities provide simulated clinical experience.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 9 months
• Format: On-campus
• Estimated Tuition: $14,685
• Certification: RMA, CMA

2. Hawaii Medical Training Center – Honolulu

With over 35 years of experience, Hawaii Medical Training Center is highly regarded for their diploma programs in medical assisting and other allied healthcare fields. The curriculum includes 140 hours of practicum experience at real clinics around Honolulu.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 9 months
• Format: On-campus
• Estimated Tuition: $12,500
• Certification: RMA, CMA, CCMA, CPT-1

3. Hawaii Healthcare School

Hawaii Healthcare School offers an accredited 1-year medical assisting diploma program with flexible day and evening options designed to fit any schedule. The curriculum incorporates job search techniques and interview practice to set graduates up for success.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 1 year
• Format: On-campus or online
• Estimated Tuition: $15,000
• Certification: CMA

4. Hawaii Medical College

At Hawaii Medical College, students can pursue a Medical Assisting diploma and build a strong foundation of knowledge in both the administrative and clinical competencies. This full-time 9-month program includes an externship for hands-on practice.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 9 months
• Format: On-campus
• Estimated Tuition: $15,000
• Certification: RMA, CMA, CCMA, CET

5. Kapi‘olani Community College

Kapi‘olani Community College offers an Associate of Science degree in Medical Assisting, allowing students to gain broader expertise beyond a certificate program. Graduates can readily advance their careers with this comprehensive 2-year training.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 2 years
• Format: On-campus
• Estimated Tuition: $7,020 in-state; $19,110 out-of-state
• Certification: RMA, CMA, CMAA

6. Healthcare Training & Career Consultants

This technical school provides an Medical Assisting diploma program with flexible day or evening schedules to accommodate working students. Small classes of less than 15 students ensure plenty of individual attention and support.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 1 year
• Format: On-campus or hybrid
• Estimated Tuition: $10,000 – $15,000
• Certification: CMA, RMA, CMAA

7. Professional Healthcare Educators

Offering flexible options for working students, this school‘s diploma programs in Medical Assisting feature online didactic instruction combined with in-person skills labs. Students gain internship experience at clinics and doctor‘s offices nearby.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 1 year
• Format: Online/on-campus hybrid
• Estimated Tuition: $10,000 – $15,000
• Certification: RMA, CMA

8. Argosy University, Hawaii

The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting at Argosy University provides versatile training applicable to a wide range of healthcare settings. Students have access to career planning services and job search assistance.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 1.5 years
• Format: Online
• Estimated Tuition: $22,500
• Certification: CMA, RMA, CMAA

9. Healthcare School of Hawaii

With training focused on hands-on practice, Healthcare School of Hawaii’s diploma program emphasizes procedural skills and critical thinking needed on the job. Small classes ensure individualized coaching from expert instructors.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 1 year
• Format: On-campus
• Estimated Tuition: $14,000
• Certification: RMA, CPT-1

10. Career College of the Pacific

Featuring integrated curriculum covering all key areas from medical terminology to lab techniques, Career College of Pacific allows students to train on-campus or online. The program includes 160 hours of professional practice.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 1 year
• Format: On-campus or online
• Estimated Tuition: $15,750
• Certification: CMA, RMA, CCMA, CMAA

11. Northwest Phlebotomy School Honolulu

Northwest Phlebotomy School Honolulu offers a part-time evening Medical Assisting program focused on essential administrative and clinical skills like taking vital signs, EHR management, CPR and more.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 1 year
• Format: On-campus (part-time evenings)
• Estimated Tuition: $8,700
• Certification: Medical Assisting diploma

12. Med-Assist School of Hawaii

Med-Assist School of Hawaii students train on-site during weekdays or take evening and weekend classes in this ABHES-accredited Medical Assisting program. Hands-on externships are arranged at care facilities based on each student‘s location.

Key Details:

• Program Length: 1 year
• Format: On-campus or hybrid
• Estimated Tuition: $11,950
• Certification: Diploma

School	Cost	Duration	Format
Chaminade University of Honolulu	$14,685	9 months	On-campus
Hawaii Medical Training Center	$12,500	9 months	On-campus
Healthcare School Hawaii	$15,000	1 year	On-campus/Online
Hawaii Medical College	$15,000	9 months	On-campus
Kapiʻolani Community College	$7,020 (in-state)	2 years	On-campus
Healthcare Training & Career Consultants	$10-15k	1 year	On-campus/Hybrid
Professional Healthcare Educators	$10-15k	1 year	Online/On-campus hybrid
Healthcare School of Hawaii	$14,000	1 year	On-campus
Career College of the Pacific	$15,750	1 year	On-campus/Online
Northwest Phlebotomy School Honolulu	$8,700	1 year	On-campus (part-time evening)
Med-Assist School of Hawaii	$11,950	1 year	On-campus / Hybrid

While tuition and fees vary across schools, costs range between $7,020 for a 2-year associate degree program at community college to $15,750 for private school diploma programs. Many schools also offer scholarships, financial aid assistance and flexible payment plans.

Key Steps to Apply for Medical Assisting Programs in Honolulu

While each school has its own admissions process, the application steps generally include:

• Submit application form: Complete the program application along with application fee payment
• Provide transcripts: Submit high school transcripts or college transcripts
• Take entrance tests (if required): Certain programs may require taking tests like the TEAS or HESI A2 entrance exam
• Interview: Some schools conduct admission interviews to evaluate applicants
• Apply for financial aid (optional): Submit FAFSA to qualify for aid like grants, loans and scholarships
• Enroll and register: Receive acceptance from the program and register for classes to reserve your seat

Common requirements for admission into Honolulu‘s top medical assisting programs include:

• High school completion or GED
• Minimum GPA around 2.0 or better
• Completion of some basic courses like Biology and Math
• Passing scores in placement tests assessing English, reading and math skills
• Clear criminal background check
• Up-to-date health records & immunizations
• Strong communication skills

Medical assisting remains an in-demand field with excellent job opportunities, so these top-rated programs fill up quickly. Apply early to increase your chances of admission.

Overview of the Medical Assistant Curriculum & Training

Honolulu‘s medical assistant programs prepare students with a well-rounded education centered around:

Administrative Training:

• Medical terminology
• Medical office procedures
• Health record management
• Billing, insurance procedures
• Healthcare compliance

Clinical Training:

• Anatomy & physiology
• Pharmacology
• Taking patient vitals
• Assisting with exams and procedures
• Collecting and handling lab specimens
• Infection control protocols
• Basic treatment procedures
• CPR and first aid

The coursework blends textbook learning with plenty of hands-on labs and clinical simulations. Students also complete 160-200 hours of professional practice through externships or clinical internships arranged by the school. These provide invaluable real-world experience in GP clinics, hospitals, health centers and specialty practices.

Insider Advice for Prospective Medical Assisting Students

We asked current students and graduates of Honolulu‘s top medical assistant programs to share tips for those considering training in this field:

💡 "Look for established programs with plenty of opportunity for hands-on practice. Learning by actively doing the clinical skills makes you so much more prepared for the job." (Leilani, Chaminade University)

💡 "Make sure to practice your clinical skills whenever you can. The more hands-on experience you gain in measuring vital signs, drawing blood, administering injections the better skilled you become." (Noah, Hawaii Medical Training Center)

💡 "Be professional in your externships, treat it like a real job interview. These lead to job opportunities so always put your best foot forward!" (Jessica, Hawaii Healthcare School)

💡 "Good medical assistants need versatility as every day is different. Be prepared to juggle both front-office and back-office responsibilities calmly and carefully." (Matthew, Hawaii Medical College)

💡 "Stay organized and detail-oriented. Precise record-keeping and follow-up are so vital in healthcare." (Olivia, Healthcare Training & Career Consultants)

Excellent Prospects for Medical Assistants in Honolulu

With growing healthcare needs and retiring baby boomers, Honolulu expects strong demand for qualified medical assistants. These programs open doors to ample job opportunities upon graduation.

Experienced certified medical assistants in Hawaii earn an average annual salary of $36,840 as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This compensation can further increase with specializations like ophthalmic or podiatric assistants.

Besides doctor‘s offices and clinics, medical assistants work in settings like:

• Hospitals
• Urgent care centers
• Nursing homes & assisted living facilities
• Outpatient rehabilitation centers
• Public health departments
• Pharmaceutical companies

Choosing among the top schools and programs is key to proper skill-building. Honolulu offers high-caliber training options for any schedule or budget. From respected community colleges to career colleges, these accredited programs deliver the hands-on learning vital to prepare both professionally and clinically.

If interested in a stable healthcare career helping providers, patients and communities, train as a medical assistant in beautiful Honolulu!