(NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) role:
✅ Phlebotomy & Blood Collection
✅ Vital Signs & Patient Assessment
✅ Patient Hygiene & Comfort
✅ Injection Administration (IM, SQ)
✅ Medication Inventory & Handling
✅ Specimen Collection & Handling
✅ EKG Operation & Basic Interpretation
✅ Patient Positioning & Draping
✅ Assisting with Minor Procedures
✅ Infection Control & Safety Protocols
Administrative Skills
The back-office competencies that keep a healthcare practice running smoothly:
✅ Medical Terminology & Anatomy
✅ Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems
✅ Patient Scheduling & Communication
✅ Insurance Verification & Coding Basics
✅ Medical Records Management
✅ Appointment & Inventory Management
✅ HIPAA Compliance
Certification & Professional Development
✅ CPR/BLS Certification (American Heart Association)
✅ AAMA Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Exam Preparation
✅ Professionalism & Workplace Communication
✅ Job Search & Interview Preparation
Program Details: Logistics, Schedule, Cost
720 Hours. Flexible Options. AVI Makes It Work for Your Life.
We know you have obligations. A job. A family. Responsibilities that don’t pause just because you’re pursuing an education.
Here’s what the Medical Assistant program looks like in practice:
Program Length: 720 hours
Duration: Typically 6-7 months (full-time) or 12-15 months (part-time)
Format: In-person, hands-on training at our Vienna, VA location
Class Schedule: Flexible — Full-time, part-time, and hybrid options available
Start Dates: Rolling enrollment — you don’t have to wait for a cohort to fill
Tuition: [See pricing below — we’ll also talk through payment options with you.]
Tuition & Financial Aid
Here’s our pricing — straightforward, no surprises:
Tuition: [INSERT ACTUAL TUITION AMOUNT]
Books & Materials: [INSERT ACTUAL AMOUNT]
Certification Exam Prep: [INSERT ACTUAL AMOUNT]
Total Program Cost: [INSERT ACTUAL TOTAL]
If you qualify for GI Bill® benefits, your tuition may be fully or partially covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. AVI is approved for GI Bill® training.
For non-military students, we offer flexible payment plans and payment schedules that fit your budget. We also work with private lending partners who specialize in career training finance.
We understand that paying for education is a big decision. Let’s talk through your options.
Why Northern Virginia Needs You — Right Now
Healthcare employment in Northern Virginia is booming. Look at these numbers:
Median salary for Medical Assistants in Virginia: $42,000+/year
Job growth (national average for Medical Assistants): 16% through 2032 (much faster than average)
Local employers actively hiring: Inova Healthcare System, Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare, Reston Hospital Center, numerous independent clinics, specialty practices, and urgent care networks throughout the region
The jobs are there. Employers are hiring. They need people who can start now, who know how to do the work, and who are committed to staying in healthcare.
That’s where you come in.
The Medical Assistant Certification — Why It Matters
When you complete AVI’s Medical Assistant program, you’ll be prepared for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Certification is not legally required in Virginia to work as a Medical Assistant. But here’s why you should pursue it anyway:
✅ It proves competency. Employers value certified candidates — it shows you’ve met a national standard of knowledge and skill.
✅ It increases your earning potential. Certified Medical Assistants typically earn 8-15% more than non-certified peers.
✅ It opens more doors. Some specialties (pediatrics, surgery, cardiology) prefer or require certification.
✅ It protects your license. In the unlikely event of a patient dispute or legal question, certification demonstrates that you were trained to a professional standard.
AVI’s program includes CMA exam preparation materials and testing guidance. We want you to pass the exam — your success is our reputation.
From Graduation to Your First Day on the Job — AVI Supports You After the Program Ends
We don’t graduate you and disappear. Here’s what post-graduation support looks like:
Career Coaching & Job Placement Assistance
Before you finish the program, we’ll prep you for the job search. Resume review. Interview coaching. Salary negotiation guidance. You’ll know how to present yourself as a confident, professional healthcare candidate.
Employer Connections
AVI has relationships with Northern Virginia healthcare employers. When you graduate, those employers will know about you. We refer qualified graduates to employers looking to hire. We don’t guarantee a job, but we put you in front of the people who are hiring.
Continuing Education Resources
Healthcare changes. Technology evolves. Regulations shift. AVI provides alumni with access to continuing education resources to keep your skills and knowledge current.
Real Questions, Real Answers
How long does the Medical Assistant program take?
Program Length: 720 hours
Timeline: 6-7 months full-time, or 12-15 months part-time, depending on your schedule and pace.
Can I work while I’m in the Medical Assistant program?
Yes, many students do. AVI offers flexible scheduling — full-time, part-time, and hybrid formats — specifically so you can balance work and training. We’ll work with you to find a schedule that fits your life.
Does AVI help with job placement after the Medical Assistant program?
Yes. We provide career coaching, resume review, interview preparation, and employer connections. We can’t guarantee a job, but we’ll put you in front of Northern Virginia healthcare employers who are actively hiring Medical Assistants.
What if I don’t pass the CMA exam on my first try?
We provide exam prep materials, study guides, and support — but we understand that not everyone passes on the first attempt. If you don’t pass, you’re not out of luck. Many employers will hire you as a non-certified Medical Assistant while you study and retake the exam. Your AVI training will still prepare you for entry-level healthcare work.
Do I need a high school diploma or GED to enroll?
You do need a high school diploma or GED to enroll in AVI programs. We can point you to resources for GED preparation if you need them.
Is the Medical Assistant program available online?
Medical assisting requires hands-on clinical training. While we offer flexible scheduling and some hybrid options, the program is primarily in-person at our Vienna, VA facility. You cannot learn phlebotomy, vital signs, or patient assessment through a screen.
What’s the difference between a Medical Assistant and a Nurse?
These are two different careers with different educational paths, scopes of practice, and earning potential.
Medical Assistants are clinical and administrative support professionals who work under the direction of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers. Medical Assistants do not have prescriptive authority and do not make independent clinical decisions. Training typically takes 6-12 months.
Nurses (RN or LPN) have a broader scope of practice, including independent clinical decision-making, medication administration, and patient teaching. Nursing programs typically require 2-4 years of education.
Both careers are rewarding and in-demand. The right choice depends on your goals, timeline, and commitment level.
What happens if I’m a military family or veteran? Can I use my GI Bill®?
Yes. AVI is approved for GI Bill® training. If you’re a veteran or a military spouse with education benefits, your benefits can be applied to AVI’s Medical Assistant program. We’ll help you understand what you qualify for and handle the paperwork. Call us at (703) 943-9841 to talk through your specific situation.
Ready to Start? Here’s How to Enroll in the Medical Assistant Program
Step 1: Request Information or Schedule a Campus Tour
Apply Now — It Takes 5 Minutes
You can also call or text us: (703) 943-9841
Step 2: Speak With an Admissions Advisor
We’ll answer your questions about the Medical Assistant program, the application process, scheduling, tuition, and financial options. No pressure. Honest answers.
Step 3: Complete Your Application
Once you’re ready, we’ll walk you through the enrollment process. You’ll need a high school diploma or GED. That’s it.
Step 4: Start Your Program
With rolling enrollment, you don’t have to wait for a cohort to fill or a semester to begin. You can start as soon as you’re ready.
The Bottom Line
You’ve been thinking about this for a while now. Maybe you’ve looked at a few programs. Maybe you’ve talked to a recruiter or two. Maybe you’ve done research on your own.
Here’s what matters:
AVI’s Medical Assistant program is built for real people who need to start healthcare careers now, not someday. It’s 720 hours of hands-on training, delivered by experienced instructors in a real clinical setting, right here in Vienna, Virginia — in the heart of one of the nation’s strongest healthcare employment markets.
You’ll graduate job-ready. You’ll be prepared for certification. You’ll be equipped to step into a healthcare career that pays you what you’re worth — and means something while you’re doing it.
Northern Virginia needs people like you. Let’s get you started.
Apply Now — It Takes 5 Minutes
📞 Call or text: (703) 943-9841
AVI Career Training
Medical Assistant Program
Vienna, Virginia
Phone: (703) 943-9841
Address: 1595 Spring Hill Rd #720, Vienna, VA 22180
Website: https://www.avi.edu
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. AVI Career Training is approved to accept GI Bill® benefits. Not all students will be eligible. Speak with an admissions advisor to learn if you qualify.
*Salary and job growth data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Virginia Employment Commission. Individual outcomes may vary.
This page was last updated in June 2026. Program information is subject to change. Please contact AVI directly for the most current program details, tuition, and enrollment information.