Free online training • 8,200+ job openings • $36K average salary
8,200+
Job Openings
$36K
Avg Salary
8%
Job Growth
12.5M
Population
Start free with EHired Open Access Education. Build real-world clinical skills—vital signs, patient intake, infection control, fundamental and EKG overviews—then explore externships, jobs, and, upon completing requirements, the ability to challenge the AMCA Clinical Medical Assistant (CMAC) certification.
Ideal for candidates with prior clinical experience who want a structured path to AMCA certification without repeating basics they already know.
New to healthcare? You're welcome to enroll, but be aware: if you have no prior clinical experience, you must complete a Self-Managed 100-Hour Externship on your own to satisfy the program's practical component and prepare for the certification exam.
⚠️ Externship Disclaimer
EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. All externships are self-managed. You are responsible for identifying and securing your own externship site. EHired provides Illinois-specific resources to help you find opportunities, but placement is not guaranteed.
EHired removes tuition barriers so you can explore healthcare training free. Pay only if you choose to register for a third-party certification exam.
Train for real clinical workflows. When ready, you can challenge the AMCA CMAC certification once you complete requirements—our course is not presented merely as test prep.
Use our state resources to identify externship options and entry-level roles while you study, so you can build experience.
Medical Assistant is your entry point into healthcare. From here, you can advance to nursing, PA, or even medical school.
Entry Point
$36K
$29K - $48K
Next Step
$78K
$62K - $98K
Advanced
$92K
$75K - $115K
Top Tier
$120K
$105K - $142K
Illinois has excellent nursing programs at UIC, Rush, Loyola, and Northwestern. PA programs at Midwestern, Northwestern, Rush, and Rosalind Franklin. Medical schools include Northwestern, UIC, Rush, Loyola, and SIU. Chicago metro offers extensive advancement opportunities. Downstate provides community-focused healthcare careers.
Our Medical Assistant curriculum prepares you for the AMCA Clinical Medical Assistant Coordinator (CMAC) certification exam.
Upon completing your training, you'll be prepared to challenge the AMCA Clinical Medical Assistant Coordinator (CMAC) certification exam — a nationally recognized credential accepted by employers in Illinois and across all 50 states.
These healthcare organizations actively recruit certified Medical Assistants
Academic Health System
251 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611
Premier Chicago academic health system. Northwestern Memorial Hospital is flagship. Extensive suburban network with Lake Forest, Delnor, Kishwaukee, and McHenry hospitals.
Health System
3075 Highland Pkwy, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Largest health system in Illinois/Wisconsin. Advocate Christ and Lutheran General flagships. Massive ambulatory network with consistent MA hiring.
Health System
800 NE Glen Oak Ave, Peoria, IL 61603
Catholic health system serving central and northern Illinois. OSF Saint Francis in Peoria is flagship. Jump Trading Simulation Center is innovation hub.
Academic Medical Center
5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Elite South Side academic medical center. National leader in cancer, transplant, and specialty care. Premium MA employer.
Academic Medical Center
1620 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612
Top-ranked Chicago academic medical center. Rush Tower is landmark building. Strong nursing education creates advancement paths.
Academic Health System
2160 S First Ave, Maywood, IL 60153
Trinity Health affiliate with Loyola University Medical Center. Serves western suburbs with Gottlieb Memorial and MacNeal hospitals.
Health System
2650 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
North suburban health system with academic affiliation. Evanston Hospital flagship. Now part of Endeavor Health with Edward-Elmhurst.
Health System
Various IL Locations
Ascension/Adventist joint venture across Chicagoland. Multiple community hospitals with extensive ambulatory presence.
Health System
611 W Park St, Urbana, IL 61801
Central Illinois health system anchored by Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Serves U of I community with regional reach.
Urgent Care Chain
Various Chicago Metro Locations
Chicago-area urgent care chain. High-volume MA positions with consistent schedules across Chicagoland.
“Northwestern is Chicago's premier health system. The training and academic environment accelerated my career. Now working toward PA school with their support.”
Maria R.
Northwestern Excellence
Chicago
Northwestern Medicine
“Advocate Aurora is massive - 75,000 employees means endless opportunities. Started in suburban clinic, transferred to specialty downtown. They invest in people.”
James T.
Advocate Aurora Career
Downers Grove
Advocate Aurora Health
“OSF in Peoria offers big-system resources with Midwest values. Cost of living is way better than Chicago. Central Illinois is underrated for healthcare careers.”
Emily K.
Downstate Success
Peoria
OSF HealthCare
“UChicago Medicine serves a community that really needs quality care. The academic environment is incredible. Hyde Park is my home.”
David L.
South Side Pride
Chicago
University of Chicago Medicine
Free training • Self-paced online • AMCA certification pathway • 8,200+ job openings
$0
Training Cost
Self-Paced
Learn Anytime
100%
Online
No credit card required. No FAFSA. No cosigners. No loans.
Important: EHired provides free online training for the AMCA CMAC certification exam. Externship placement is the student's responsibility. EHired does not guarantee job placement. Salary and job opening data are estimates based on BLS, ZipRecruiter, and state workforce data; actual figures vary.