Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offers strong opportunities for those looking to start a healthcare career. The city is home to approximately 60,000 healthcare jobs and five major hospital systems, according to Better in BTR, an initiative of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Visit Baton Rouge.
Becoming a medical assistant is one of the more accessible paths into the healthcare sector. By attending medical assistant school in Baton Rouge, students can build the clinical and administrative skills needed to support patient care and help healthcare providers operate more efficiently.
If you are considering a medical assisting program, take a closer look at what to expect as a medical assistant in Baton Rouge and what steps are involved in getting started.
Benefits of Medical Assistant Training in Baton Rouge
Individuals who put in the time to get medical assistant training can position themselves to enjoy a wide range of benefits. For example, completing a medical assistant program in Baton Rouge prepares individuals for the following opportunities:
Join an in-demand profession. Louisiana is projected to have 1,580 job openings for medical assistants through 2032, according to Projections Central, a workforce projections website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. At the national level, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected 15% job growth for medical assistants through 2033, a growth rate that significantly exceeds the bureau’s projected 4% growth across all occupations through 2033.
Enjoy a relatively low cost of living. As of March 2025, the cost of living in Baton Rouge was 14% lower than the average cost of living in the U.S., according to the Economic Research Institute (ERI), a compensation research firm. ERI also reported that Louisiana had the 16th lowest state income tax rate in the country.
Live in a fun, diverse city. In 2024, Resonance, a marketing and branding firm, ranked Baton Rouge among the best 100 cities in America, citing the city’s rich diversity, as well as its extensive cultural and culinary offerings.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities. The Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC) operates 175 parks, a zoo, five golf courses, a water park, and more than 100 miles of hiking and biking trails.
What Are the Requirements to Attend Medical Assistant School in Baton Rouge?
Aspiring medical assistants need to satisfy certain requirements to attend medical assistant school in Baton Rouge. Admission to the Fortis College Medical Assisting program in Baton Rouge requires meeting the following criteria:
Possess a high school diploma (or the equivalent)
Be at least 17 years old
Submit a complete applicant information form and participate in an interview with an admissions advisor or other Fortis administrative staff
Pass an aptitude test
Students in the Fortis Medical Assisting program also need to satisfy the following requirements:
Hold a Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association
Pass a criminal background check
Be able to perform certain physical and cognitive activities
Additionally, students in the Fortis Medical Assisting program need to meet academic requirements such as the following:
Attend courses regularly
Repeat courses they have failed or withdrew from
Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA
Complete the program within a certain time period
What Can You Do With Medical Assistant Training?
Medical assistant training in Baton Rouge can prepare individuals for various roles within the field. Some medical assistants take on positions that combine both clinical and administrative responsibilities, while other roles may focus on one area or the other. There are also opportunities to specialize in a particular aspect of patient care or medical office operations.
Below are examples of some positions along the medical assistant career path.
Clinical Medical Assistant
Working as a clinical medical assistant involves the following duties:
Taking patients’ vital signs
Assisting doctors as they conduct patient exams
Administering injections or medications to patients
Collecting samples for laboratory work
Clinical medical assistants typically work in environments such as doctors’ offices, clinics, or hospitals.
Administrative Medical Assistant
Working as an administrative medical assistant involves the following duties:
Scheduling appointments for patients
Maintaining inventories of office and medical supplies
Completing health insurance forms
Answering the phone and greeting patients
Administrative medical assistants can work in settings such as hospitals, clinics, or doctors’ offices.
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant
Medical assistants who want to specialize in vision care can work as ophthalmic medical assistants and perform duties such as the following:
Conducting preliminary eye exams
Educating patients about proper contact lens use
Cleaning ophthalmic tools and equipment
Taking ocular measurements
Ophthalmic medical assistants work for providers such as ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Podiatric Medical Assistant
Podiatric medical assistants focus on patients who have foot, ankle, and lower leg conditions. They perform duties such as the following:
Assisting during patient exams
Applying dressings
Cleaning exam rooms and tools
Preparing plaster to make casts and molds
Podiatric medical assistants work in podiatrists’ offices.
Dermatology Medical Assistant
Dermatology medical assistants work with patients who have skin diseases and conditions. They perform duties such as the following:
Performing minor procedures on patients’ skin
Preparing patients for more advanced dermatological procedures
Instructing patients about best practices for skin health
Sanitizing dermatological equipment
Dermatology medical assistants work in dermatologists’ offices.
Enroll in a Medical Assisting Program in Baton Rouge and Prepare for a Career in Healthcare
Completing a medical assisting training program in Baton Rouge can prepare individuals to pursue rewarding careers in healthcare. It also provides the opportunity to live in a city that has much to offer its residents.
Louisianans who are interested in medical assistant training can explore the Fortis Medical Assisting program in Baton Rouge to learn how it can help them achieve their professional goals. The program is designed to prepare students for entry-level roles in a growing field, teaching the skills necessary to provide quality patient care and help healthcare teams operate efficiently.
Start your journey toward a meaningful career in medical assisting today.
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