medical-assistant-training-programMedical Assistant

Medical assistants work side by side with doctors, nurses and others on the health care team, treating patients from newborns to senior citizens. They multi-task throughout the day, blending a varied skill set of administrative and technical skills with communication and interpersonal skills. Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners.

Medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice. Clinical duties may include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination and assisting the physician during the examination.

It is important for aspiring medical assistants to learn from renowned medical professional instructors who are both academically and professionally qualified. When you are looking at a medical assistant training program they should have professional instructors with years of relevant, hands-on experience to share with you, creating real-world scenarios during your courses in medical assistant labs.

Most medical assistants work full time in physicians’ offices and other healthcare facilities. As a Medical Assistant, you can pursue employment in an array of environments such as doctors’ offices, urgent care clinics, assisted living facilities, chiropractors’ offices and more. Additionally, medical assisting is great experience for those interested in growing their careers within the healthcare industry.

Medical Assistant Salary

The median annual wage of medical assistants was $28,860 in 2010.

The median hourly wage of medical assistants was $13.87 per hour in 2010.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 31% from 2010 to 2020, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

As the health care industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population, there will be an increased need for health care workers. Demand for medical assistants will stem from physicians hiring more medical assistants to do routine administrative and clinical duties so that physicians can see more patients. You should also know that medical assisting is a career that can lead you to a number of opportunities within the healthcare field.

Medical Assistant Training Programs

Medical Assistant certificates can prepare you for an entry-level position in most healthcare environments. Medical assistant training courses can help you explore a compassionate and satisfying career in the healthcare industry.

Combining clinical patient care duties with administrative office responsibilities, medical assistants have quickly become a vital asset to today’s healthcare teams. Join in on this increasingly in-demand field and gain the skills and knowledge you need to successfully aid in this essential healthcare career. Medical assistants also deal routinely with the public, so being able to put patients at a sense of ease in a high-stress environment is a very important skill to develop.

Learn routine medical procedures and how to effectively execute a wide range of day-to-day medical responsibilities in a variety of healthcare settings, such as physicians’ offices, health departments, clinics, hospitals, and surgical or lab facilities.

Build the following key skills and competencies after completing your Medical Assisting Training program:

  • Effectively collect and prepare laboratory specimens
  • Take medical histories and check vital signs such as blood pressure and temperature
  • Adequately assist doctors during examinations
  • Successfully administer medications, first aid and CPR
  • Utilize best office practices
  • Comfortably handle patient relations and requests
  • Uphold medical law and ethical practices
  • Understand the basic concepts of insurance, billing and coding

You can also learn specific medical tasks in our Medical Assistant training program, such as how to perform:

  • X-ray positioning
  • Venipuncture
  • Electrocardiograms
  • Autoclave and sterilization techniques

Discover a career that makes a positive impact not only in your life, but in the lives of everyone you help. Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Training program gives you the convenience and flexibility of online learning with the quality of a medical professional education.

Medical Assistant Training Program Features

Medical Assistant programs are designed to help you acquire the clinical and practical knowledge that you will be expected to know and the specialized skills you may be required to utilize as an entry-level medical assistant. Medical Assistant Training Programs may include:

  • Intensive hands-on clinical skills work
  • 40+ hours of hands-on education with 20+ hours of lecture
  • Application of learning through online education study programs
  • Working experience within a medical classroom lab
  • Opportunity to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
  • Red Cross CPR and AED certification test
  • Administrative, clinical and externship segments
  • Acquire real-world experience while performing an externship at an approved healthcare facility
  • Preparation for national certification exams to attain medical professional credentials such as Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) or Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

Your program will offer academic and clinical training in a variety of areas:

  • Human anatomy, physiology, and pathology
  • Medical terminology
  • Keyboarding and computer applications
  • Recordkeeping and accounting
  • Coding and insurance processing
  • Laboratory techniques
  • Clinical and diagnostic procedures
  • Pharmacology
  • Medication administration
  • First aid
  • Office practices
  • Patient relations
  • Medical law and ethics

CMA (AAMA)

The CMA (AAMA) is considered the gold standard of medical assisting professionalism. The credential represents a medical assistant who has been certified by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The CMA (AAMA) means a professional edge, increased prestige among colleagues, and greater job security.

Learn more about the AAMA CMA here.

How To Become a Medical Assistant

  • Step 1: Find out if you are eligible.
  • Step 2: Enroll in and complete an accredited medical assisting program.
  • Step 3: Apply for the exam
  • Step 4: Prime your e-mail
  • Step 5: Schedule an exam appointment
  • Step 6: Study!
  • Step 7: Pass the CMA (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Examination.
  • Step 8: Keep your CMA (AAMA) credential current.

Review the CMA (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Exam Eligibility categories to see if you qualify to take the exam. In most states, there are no formal educational requirements for becoming a medical assistant. Most have at least a high school diploma. Many assistants learn through on-the-job training. Take CMA practice tests to test your current knowledge in the categories of Anatomy and Physiology and Medical Terminology. Once you pass the exam, you will receive an official certificate and wallet card to prove you have achieved your CMA (AAMA) credential.

Medical Assistant Classroom Experience