Medical Assisting Training

There are some employers that train their own medical assistants, but this practice is becoming more and more rare. According to the National Association of Legal Assistant (NALA), formal training is not a requirement to work in this field. But it helps. Your job prospects are much better if you have a diploma, a certificate, or an associate’s degree in medical assisting.

Preparing for Medical Assistant Training

Whether your employer trains you or you attend medical assistant school, you will still need a high school diploma or a GED.

High school is an excellent place to prepare for medical assistant training. Taking courses such as biology, mathematics, anatomy, office procedures, typing, and bookkeeping will give you an idea of what to expect when you enroll in medical assistant training.

Who Offers Medical Assistant Training?

Medical assistant training is offered at junior and community colleges, postsecondary vocational schools, and vocational high schools. These schools, however, differ as to what types of degree programs that they offer.

Certificate, Diploma, or Associate’s Degree?

You can earn a certificate or a diploma degree in medical assisting in as little as one year. This is a good option if you want a program that focuses totally on medical assisting. There are no extraneous, or liberal arts, courses in certificate or diploma medical assistant training. Obtaining these degrees are also cheaper than a 2-year associate degree because their program time is much shorter.

But…

An associate’s degree might be your best choice.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, getting an associate’s degree is the most popular option for those wishing to pursue medical assisting careers.

There are a couple of reasons for this.

We live in time, and a country, that stresses education. In today’s society, the more education that you have, the better are your chances of career aptitude and success. Prospective employers are well aware of this fact, and they give preference to those with higher degrees. Having an associate’s degree in medical assisting may give you a big advantage over those who have diploma or certificate degrees.

Another benefit to an associate’s degree is its educational portability. Suppose that you decide that you would like to change, or expand, your career at a later point. Your new career focus, however, requires a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. No problem. Most of the credits that you earned for your associate’s degree (from an accredited school) can be applied toward these higher degrees.

What Kind Of Training Do You Need?

Medical assisting is a flexible occupation that can require very diverse skills. Some medical assistants perform purely clerical functions such as answering the phones, greeting customers, distributing the mail, and typing. Others perform administrative functions vital to the medical field such as submitting insurance claims, scheduling laboratory services, updating patient records, and arranging hospital admissions.

The duties of clinical medical assistants can vary quite a bit depending upon state laws. Some of the tasks that clinical medical technicians perform include assisting with medical examinations, calculating and recording vital signs, taking medical histories, preparing patients for surgeries, and administering electrocardiograms. They may also collect laboratory specimens, sterilize medical instruments, draw blood, telephone prescriptions to pharmacies, instruct patients on proper usage of their medications, and remove sutures.

A medical assistant’s training, therefore, reflects the variety of jobs that you may be called upon to perform.

Medical assistant training includes courses in anatomy, medical terminology, first aid, health, and pharmaceutical procedures to help prepare you for the clinical requirements of your employer. But the training also includes courses on office procedures, medical law, patient relations, and medical ethics to prepare you for the administrative requirements of your employer. Many programs also require you to work as an intern in a medical facility so that you can gain real world experience as a medical assistant.

Top Online Medical Assistant Schools

  • Keiser University eCampus Online

    For over 30 years, Keiser University has provided student-centered, quality career education. Keiser University eCampus Online offers degree programs online to prepare students for high-demand professions. Degrees are offered with a curriculum that is in pace with technology and workforce demand trends in business, criminal justice, healthcare and computer technology. Our “one-class-at-a-time” approach allows busy students to focus on their education and balance the demands of work and family.

  • Kaplan University Online

    Kaplan University is an accredited university, offering more than 200 degrees and programs. Choose from graduate, undergraduate, certificate, and diploma programs in fields ranging from business and technology to health sciences, fire sciences, legal studies, nursing, education and more.

    Our professors, many of whom have real-world experience, can help you develop your talent and achieve your goals. We give you multiple options for starting your education. Learn online, on campus, or at one of our learning centers. Becoming a Kaplan University student can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to complete your education on your terms.

  • Harrison College

    If you are looking to earn your degree with a flexible schedule and the convenience to work around your busy schedule, Harrison College’s accredited online degree programs may be the perfect solution for you.

  • Career Point College Online

    Imagine an exciting new career in the medical, business, legal or computer fields. Career Point College is a great place to learn all of the skills you will need to succeed in these industries and get the future you want! In as few as eight months for a diploma, 15 months for an Associate’s, and 18 months for a Bachelor’s (with an Associate’s first), you could be prepared to enter the job marketplace. Whether it is because of our accelerated programs, hands-on training, personal attention, flexible schedules, lifetime placement assistance or lifetime refresher training, you will see Career Point College is the right school for you!

Top Correspondence Medical Assistant Schools

  • Penn Foster

    Having the right skills is vitally important in today’s super-competitive job market. With online training from Penn Foster Career School, students are assured of learning up-to-date career skills that will prepare them for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Students at Penn Foster Career School can get the training they need quickly, conveniently, and affordably.

    Penn Foster is one of the world’s largest and most respected online education providers. Their programs are job focused, and they offer training for employment in the fastest-growing fields in business, technology, health care, and the trades.

  • Allied Schools

    When you enroll at Allied Schools, you receive a partner in your education. We guide you from start to finish and give you the tools you need to build a successful future. Receive a professional advantage with a school that shares your goals. We maintain the highest standards when it comes to delivering quality education. As such, we maintain up-to-date accreditations, approvals and memberships. This ensures that we continually meet or exceed specific requirements and provide you with the best education possible.