Find the Right Medical Assistant School Near You

Are you thinking about becoming a medical assistant? Not sure where to start? Use our website to find the right medical assistant school near you.

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Why You Should Consider a Career as a medical assistant

Medical assisting is one of the nation’s fastest-growing careers, with an expected 29% growth rate from 2016 to 2026.* The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for Medical assistants was $32,480 in May 2017, with the top 10% earning more than $46,680.**

Empire College’s medical assistant diploma program can be completed in as little as 10 months,*** giving you the skills and knowledge to take your place in this high-demand profession. We offer comprehensive classroom instruction and hands-on training in our state-of-the-art labs, preparing you to work in a variety of medical settings including doctor’s offices, clinics and hospitals.

Whether your goal is to begin or advance your career, Empire College can help you take that next step. Our admissions advisors are available to answer your questions and help you decide if a career in medical assisting is right for you. Contact us today!

* Careeronestop.org is operated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration

** https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6

The Duties of a Medical Assistant

Medical Assistants perform a variety of duties in medical offices and clinics. Their responsibilities generally fall into three categories: administrative, clinical, and clerical.

Administrative duties include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records and billing. Clinical duties include taking medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, collecting specimens for lab tests, and giving injections. Clerical duties include answering phones, transcribing doctors’ orders, handling correspondence, and maintaining supplies.

Most medical assistants have postsecondary education from a medical assistant program. Programs typically last from 1 to 2 years and lead to a certificate or diploma. Some states have formal registration or certification programs for medical assistants.

The Educational Requirements of a Medical Assistant

Most medical assistant programs will last around three years, although some can be completed in as little as one year. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the duties of a medical assistant. Most programs will include both classroom and clinical components, allowing students to get hands-on experience working with patients.

In order to be eligible for a medical assistant program, you will need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. You may also need to take some prerequisite courses, such as anatomy and physiology, before starting your program. Once you have completed your medical assistant program, you will need to pass a certification exam in order to become certified.

The Various Specialties of a Medical Assistant

There are many different specialties that a medical assistant can choose to pursue. Most often, medical assistants will specialize in one particular area of medicine, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or orthopedics. However, there are also many medical assistants who choose to work in more than one specialty.

Pediatric medical assistants work with children and adolescents. They may be responsible for taking medical histories, performing physical examinations, and giving immunizations. They may also assist the physician with diagnostic tests and procedures.

Geriatric medical assistants work with elderly patients. They may be responsible for taking vital signs, performing physical examinations, and providing patient education. Additionally, they may assist the physician with diagnostic tests and procedures.

Orthopedic medical assistants work with patients who have musculoskeletal disorders. They may be responsible for taking X-rays,performing physical examinations, and providing patient education on orthopedic conditions. Additionally, they may assist the physician with diagnostic tests and procedures.

The Importance of Certification for a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team, providing support to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. If you’re thinking of becoming a medical assistant, you’ll need to complete an accredited training program and pass a certification exam.

Why is certification important for medical assistants? Certification demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform your job effectively. In some states, certification may even be required to practice as a medical assistant.

There are several different organizations that offer certification for medical assistants, including the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA). To be eligible for certification, you mustGraduate from an accredited medical assistant program and pass a standardized exam.

While certification is not required in all states, it is generally recommended as it will help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs. If you’re looking for a reputable medical assistant school in your area, check out our list of accredited programs.

The Different Settings in Which a Medical Assistant Can Work

In addition to the different types of medical assistant programs available, there are also different settings in which a medical assistant can work. Here are brief descriptions of the most common work settings for medical assistants:

-Clinics: Medical assistants working in clinics may be responsible for a variety of tasks, such as greeting patients, scheduling appointments, taking patient histories, recording vital signs, and assisting the physician with office procedures.
-Hospitals: Medical assistants working in hospitals may have more patient contact than those working in clinics. They may also be responsible for a wider range of tasks, such as admitting patients, scheduling surgeries, answering patient questions about their hospital stay, and providing post-operative instructions to patients.
-Private Practices: Medical assistants working in private practices typically have more responsibility for administrative tasks than those working in clinics or hospitals. They may be responsible for managing the office schedule, handling insurance paperwork, ordering supplies, and billing patients.

The Advantages of Working as a Medical Assistant

Deciding to work in the medical field is a big decision. And once you’ve made up your mind, you’ll need to choose a career path. One popular option is working as a medical assistant.

Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They may take patient medical histories and vital signs, prepare patients for examination, assist the physician during the exam, and schedule appointments. Some medical assistants also perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and aid in minor office surgery.

If you’re thinking of becoming a medical assistant, here are some advantages to consider:

-Medical assistants are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026.
-Medical assistants can find work in many different settings. In addition to doctors’ offices, they may find employment in clinics, HMOs, hospitals, and other facilities.
-Many medical assistants work full time. However, some work part time or evening and weekend hours to accommodate patients’ schedules.
-Medical assistant salaries are rising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $31,540 in 2016.
-Some medical assistants receive health insurance and other benefits from their employers. In addition, many employers offer paid vacation days and sick leave to their employees

The Disadvantages of Working as a Medical Assistant

There are a few disadvantages of working as a medical assistant. One is that the job can be stressful at times. This is especially true if you work in a fast-paced environment or if you have to deal with difficult patients. Another downside is that medical assistants may be required to work long hours, including evenings and weekends. Finally, medical assistants may not have the same job security as other healthcare professionals.

How to Choose the Right Medical Assistant School

With the ever-growing healthcare industry, the need for medical assistants is at an all-time high. If you’re thinking about going to school to become a medical assistant, you might be wondering how to choose the right one. Here are a few things to consider when making your decision:

-First, you’ll want to make sure the school is accredited. This is important because it means the school meets certain standards and will provide you with a quality education. To find out if a school is accredited, you can check with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

-Next, you’ll want to look at the curriculum of the schools you’re considering. Make sure they offer courses that interest you and that will prepare you for your future career.

-Lastly, you should consider the cost of attending each school. Make sure you look at both tuition and fees so that you have a complete picture of what it will cost to attend each school. Once you have all this information, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which medical assistant school is right for you!

The Different Types of Medical Assistant Programs

There are several different types of medical assistant programs, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your needs and preferences, you may prefer one type of program over another.Here is a brief overview of the different types of medical assistant programs to help you choose the right one for you:

On-the-job training: This type of program allows you to learn on the job, working alongside experienced medical assistants. The advantage of this type of program is that you can earn while you learn, and get experience in a real-world setting. The downside is that on-the-job training can be chaotic and you may not get the structured learning that you would get in a formal education program.

Certificate programs: Certificate programs typically last between 3 and 6 months and are offered by community colleges, vocational schools, and some hospitals. These programs provide comprehensive training in all areas of medical assisting, from administrative duties to clinical procedures. The advantage of certificate programs is that they are relatively quick and affordable. The downside is that they may not be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which could limit your employment prospects.

Diploma programs: Diploma programs usually take between 9 months and a year to complete, and are offered by some hospitals and vocational schools. These programs provide comprehensive training in all areas of medical assisting, from administrative duties to clinical procedures. The advantage of diploma Programs is that they may be more comprehensive than certificate programs. The downside is that they may not be accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, which could limit your employment prospects

Associate’s degree programs: Associate’s degree programs typically take 2 years to complete and are offered by community colleges and some 4-year colleges. These accredited programs include both classroom instruction and hands-on experience in real-world settings. The advantage of associate’s degree programs is that they prepare you for a career in medical assisting, as well as for further education if you choose to pursue it. The downside is that they may be more expensive than other types of medical assistant programs