Medical Assisting - The Road to Success in Healthcare

Make a Lasting Difference as a Medical Assistant.

Medical Assisting is the fastest growing allied health profession in the US according to national labor statistics, and is projected to grow by 35 percent by 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Almost everyone who has been to a doctor`s office has been greeted, escorted to an exam room, helped to feel at ease, and had their visit go more smoothly thanks to a Medical Assistant.

Medical assistants are multi-skilled healthcare team members who have to possess good people skills, be able to communicate well with patients and staff, be calm and cool under stress, pay attention to the patient for signs of anxiety, and do their best to ensure a good overall patient visit experience.

Medical Assistants Keep Medical Practices Functional

Medical Assistants really need to be "Jacks of All Trades", with the know-how to do them all as well. The everyday duties of a Medical Assistant typically involve checking vital signs, obtaining basic medical history, preparing patients for exam, assisting during clinical examinations, dressing minor wounds, administering some treatments, and managing a wide range of clinical, administrative, and laboratory duties. Medical Assistants with formal education are able to perform more advanced duties such as more complex wound care, suture removal, taking X rays, or ECG`s. Experienced Medical Assistants with an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting, or higher can advance to running medical clincs, and even becoming the manager of large multiple office medical practices.

People who have a business background or an interest in management enter medical assisting because they can build on their skills, possibly leading to a clinic management position. Medical Assistants run the front office, scheduling appointments, answering the phone, calling in prescriptions, prepare and maintain patient charts, do billing and collections, process insurance claims, transcribe medical documents, and many other administrative duties.

Medical Assistants also assist the physician in the clinical area by taking patient histories, screening patients, taking and recording vital signs, doing basic laboratory tests, EKGs, venipuncture, giving injections, and assisting with a wide variety of clinical procedures.

Medical Assisting Career Outlook

The majority of medical assistants work in a doctor`s office, assisting a medical practitioner. Recently, employment has expanded to public and private hospitals, emergency and ambulatory care facilities as well as specialized fields in dentistry or psychiatry. Medical assistants can earn between $19,000 and $40,000 annually, working 40 hours a week full-time. There are also part time positions available and salaries tend to be higher in doctors` offices than in hospitals.

Education And Training For Medical Assistants

Medical Assisting career training programs are usually offered by technical institutes, vocational schools, and career colleges. Medical Assisting educational programs include general studies in the humanities, business, and the natural sciences, along with the preparation for clinical and administrative health care positions. These programs generally last 1 to 2 years, depending on type of program, and leading to a Medical Assisting Certificate.

Accredited Medical Assisting degree programs offer more in depth education leading to an Associate of Science degree, and provide the graduate with increased job opportunities, career advancement potential, and lay the foundation to earn more advanced degrees as well. Medical Assistants who earn their Associate degree often use it as a stepping stone to further their education and go on to earn a B.S. in Nursing, become a Physician`s Assistant, or to earn a degree in Office Administration, Management or Medical Informatics.

Advantages of Online Medical Assisting Programs

Online Medical Assisting programs offer the flexibility to let you learn a new career without giving up your present job or family responsibilities. Without being bound by geographical restraints, online students learn from nationally recognized experts, collaborate with students across the country, receive personal support from faculty and advisers dedicated to their success, and gain real-world skills that can be applied immediately - all while studying at their own pace from wherever they have computer access.

Train To Become A Medical Assistant

Secure Your Future with a Medical Assisting Career!
Explore accredited Medical Assisting schools and request additional information about requirements, tuition, financial aid, and start dates directly from schools offering programs that match your interests:
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Find Medical Assisting Programs Near You

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting, AS

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Westwood College

Campus

Westwood College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to providing quality, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to launch, enhance, or change careers. The College offers broad access to education and serves a diverse, multicultural body of students in an environment that promotes pride, respect, and teamwork. The College's programs are designed to empower students to pursue their individual career goals.

Programs:

• Diploma - Medical Assisting
• Associate Degree - Medical Assisting
• Associate Degree - Medical Assisting I

Campus Locations:

Denver
Chicago
Los Angeles
Annandale
Arlington
Woodridge
Torrance
Atlanta
Calumet City

Health Training Center

Campus

Advance your career with Health Training Center. We offer accelerated certificate programs for careers in the medical field, including medical assisting, medical billing and coding, pharmacy technician, EKG technician, phlebotomy, and more.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• New! CNA Upgrade to Patient Care Technician (PCT)
• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Chelmsford
Cambridge
Lynn
Worcester
Framingham
North Attleboro
Stoughton

Independence University

Campus

You can advance your career 24/7 with online education at Independence University, your proven partner with over 30 years of experience in delivering quality distance education right to our students. Our programs are designed to allow you to continue working and earning as you pursue your online degree.

Programs:

• AS - Occupational Studies in Medical Specialties
• BS - Completion in Respiratory Care with Clinical Practice Concentration
• BS - Completion in Respiratory Care with Management Concentration

Campus Locations:

Salt Lake City

Heald College

Campus

Heald College offers 18-month associate degree programs that will prepare you for a career in Business, Technology, or Healthcare. Small class sizes, hands-on instruction.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Dental Assisting

Campus Locations:

Fresno
Roseville
Salinas
San Francisco
Hayward
Salida
Milpitas
Rancho Cordova
Stockton
Honolulu
Portland
Concord

Institute of Business & Medical Careers

Campus

Get your career started at Institute of Business & Medical Careers. We offer certificate and degree programs in business, health care, legal, and massage. Finish your education in 19 months or less!

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Cheyenne
Longmont
Fort Collins
Greeley

American Career Institute

Campus

There's no better time than right now to become a medical professional, and American Career Institute can help launch your career. Free job placement assistance for graduates.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Dental Assisting

Campus Locations:

Silver Spring
Columbia
Springfield
Braintree
Framingham
Woburn
Cambridge

Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

• Diploma: Patient Care Technician
• Diploma: Medical Assistant
• Diploma: Patient Care Assistant/Technician

Campus Locations:

Arlington
Beaumont
Laredo
Mcallen
Charlotte
Indianapolis
Midland
Columbus
Lubbock
Las Vegas
Corpus Christi
San Antonio
Bakersfield
Phoenix
Fort Worth
Dayton
Stockton
Clovis
El Paso

Fortis Institute

Campus

Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Medical Assisting

Campus Locations:

Columbia
Windsor Mill
Largo
Mulberry
Dayton
Dothan
Richmond
Foley
Phoenix
Baton Rouge
Ravenna
Cookeville
Houston
Mobile
Orange Park
Cuyahoga Falls
Salt Lake City
Houston
Towson
Wayne
Birmingham
Nashville
Winter Park
Smyrna
Cincinnati
Lawrence Township
Scranton
Miami
Montgomery
Westerville
Grand Prairie
Indianapolis
Kingston
Erie
Hyattsville
Tampa
Pensacola

Everest College

Campus

Develop the skills to succeed in today's highly competitive business environment. Everest College can prepare you for a rewarding career in some of today's hottest fields.

Programs:

• Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting
• Diploma - Medical Assisting
• Diploma - Dental Assisting

Campus Locations:

Everett
Newport News
Alhambra
Willowbrook
Bremerton
San Francisco
Vancouver
Springfield
Gardena
Torrance
Milwaukee
Los Angeles
Fort Worth
Henderson
Mc Lean
Renton
Dallas
Colorado Springs
Hayward
Earth City
LA Puente
San Bernardino
Chesapeake
Atlanta
Seattle
Portland
Santa Ana
Ontario
Anaheim
Arlington
Reseda
Salt Lake City
San Jose
Aurora
Tacoma
Bedford Park
Denver
Kansas City
Melrose Park

American Career College

Campus

American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Associate of Occupational Science in Respiratory Therapy
• Dental Assistant

Campus Locations:

Ontario
Anaheim
Los Angeles

Northwestern College

Campus

Training for a successful future is easier than you may think! Northwestern College offers flexible career training to fit your busy schedule. Earning your certificate or degree will put you in a position to increase your earning potential and advance into the career you've always wanted!

Programs:

• Medical Assisting

Campus Locations:

Bridgeview
Chicago
Naperville

Dover Business College

Campus

Launch a business, healthcare, or technology career with Dover Business College. Train with the most current technology programs at one of our two (Dover and Paramus, New Jersey) campuses.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Patient Care Technician

Campus Locations:

Dover
Clifton

Carrington College California

Campus

Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.

Programs:

• AS in Medical Assisting
• Certificate in Medical Assisting
• AS in Dental Assisting

Campus Locations:

Sacramento
Pomona
San Leandro
Pleasant Hill
Antioch
Stockton
San Jose
Citrus Heights
Emeryville

Florida Technical College

Campus

Florida Technical College has structured its Health Care, Technology, and Programming curricula to achieve one thing for its students: success in the real world.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Medical Assistant Technician
• Patient Care Technician

Campus Locations:

Orlando
Kissimmee
Hollywood
Lakeland
DeLand