Accredited Medical Assistant Programs in Chicago
Contents
- Introduction
- What is a medical assistant?
- Duties of a medical assistant
- Qualifications to become a medical assistant
- How to become a medical assistant
- Programs to become a medical assistant
- Online medical assistant programs
- On-campus medical assistant programs
- Advantages of becoming a medical assistant
- Why study to become a medical assistant in Chicago?
Considering a career in healthcare? Check out our list of the top accredited medical assistant programs in Chicago.
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Introduction
Clinical Medical assistants work in doctors’ offices, clinics and other outpatient care facilities. Their duties include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining medical procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations and aiding the physician during the exam. Chicago offers many accredited medical assistant programs to choose from.
What is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is a patient care provider who works under the supervision of a licensed health care provider, such as a physician or registered nurse. Medical Assistants are trained to perform both administrative and clinical duties in a variety of health care settings. In some states, medical assistants may be allowed to perform certain tasks without direct supervision, such as taking medical histories or administering injections.
Medical assistants typically have an associate degree or diploma from an accredited medical assisting program. Some programs may also offer certification in specific areas, such as Phlebotomy or EKG. In most states, certification is not required to work as a medical assistant. However, employers often prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited program and are certified.
Duties of a medical assistant
Medical assistants are allied health professionals who support the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in outpatient clinics. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, including taking and recording patients’ vital signs and medical histories, scheduling appointments, answering phones, handling correspondence, transcribing medical reports, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting with examination and treatment procedures. In some states they may also be permitted to take x-rays and give injections. With additional training they may specialize in areas such as optometry or podiatry.
Qualifications to become a medical assistant
An accredited medical assistant program will help you get the training and education you need to qualify for this rewarding profession. Medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, hospitals and clinics, providing supportive care to patients and performing administrative tasks.
To become a medical assistant, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. You will also need to complete an accredited medical assistant program, which will prepare you for the certification exam. Most employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, so becoming certified is essential to your success in this field.
How to become a medical assistant
In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited medical assistant program. These programs are typically offered at community colleges, technical schools, and some universities.
The length of medical assistant programs can vary, but most take between six and twelve months to complete. During your studies, you will take classes in anatomy, physiology, Medical Terminology and other health-related topics. You will also likely have the opportunity to participate in an externship, which will give you the chance to gain hands-on experience in a real-world medical setting.
Once you have completed your accredited medical assistant program, you will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Once you pass this exam, you will be a certified medical assistant and will be able to work in healthcare settings across the country.
Programs to become a medical assistant
Medical assistants are health care professionals who perform a variety of tasks in order to support the work of physicians and other medical staff. If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, you can pursue a certificate or associate’s degree at many different schools.
In Chicago, there are many accredited medical assistant programs to choose from. Here are some schools that offer these programs:
-City Colleges of Chicago
-Harper College
-Joliet Junior College
-Kendall College
-Oakton Community College
-School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Online medical assistant programs
While most medical assistant programs are offered at community colleges and technical schools, there are a number of accredited online medical assistant programs available as well. These programs offer the same quality education as their brick-and-mortar counterparts, but with the added convenience of being able to complete courses and earn a degree from the comfort of your own home.
If you’re considering an online medical assistant program, be sure to check out the schools on our list of accredited online medical assistant programs in Chicago. These programs have all been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), so you can be confident you’re receiving a quality education that will prepare you for a successful career in healthcare.
On-campus medical assistant programs
If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, there are many accredited on-campus medical assistant programs available in Chicago. Here are just a few of the schools that offer these programs:
-Malcolm X College
-City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College
-Elgin Community College
Each of these schools offers a different program, so be sure to research each one to find the best fit for you. You can also check out our list of the best online medical assistant programs if you’re interested in an online program.
Advantages of becoming a medical assistant
Becoming a medical assistant has many advantages. One advantage is that medical assistants are in high demand in the healthcare industry. Another advantage is that medical assistants can work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. Medical assistants also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as pediatrics or geriatrics.
Why study to become a medical assistant in Chicago?
Medical assistants play an important role in healthcare, performing a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep medical facilities running smoothly. If you live in the Chicago area and are interested in this career, you may be wondering why you should study to become a medical assistant in Chicago, rather than another city. Here are a few reasons why Chicago may be the right choice for you.
One reason to study to become a medical assistant in Chicago is the job outlook in the city. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due in part to an aging population and advances in medical technology, which require more support staff such as medical assistants. With so many job opportunities available, studying to become a medical assistant in Chicago gives you a good chance of finding employment after graduation.
Additionally,Chicago offers many accredited programs that will give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a medical assistant. Medical assistants must complete an accredited postsecondary education program before they can earn certification, and there are several programs available in Chicago that meet this criteria. Programs typically take about two years to complete and include coursework in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical office procedures, and more.
Earning your degree or certificate from an accredited program is important because it ensures that you have met the high educational standards required by the profession. It also makes you eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), which is one of the most widely recognized certification exams for medical assistants. In addition, many employers prefer or require candidates to have certification from the AAMA or another organization such as the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Choosing to study to become a medical assistant in Chicago can give you access to many job opportunities and high-quality educational programs. If you think this career might be right for you, contact some of the schools listed below to learn more about their programs.