Best Medical Assistant Programs in Atlanta

Are you looking for the best medical assistant programs in Atlanta? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll share with you the top three medical assistant programs in Atlanta.

Checkout this video:

Why Pursue a Career in Medical Assisting?

Medical assistants perform a variety of important administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. They are a vital part of the healthcare team, providing support to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.

There are many reasons to pursue a career in medical assisting. First and foremost, medical assistants make a difference in the lives of patients. They provide important services that help patients receive the care they need. In addition, medical assistants often form close relationships with patients and their families. They may be the first person a patient sees when they come into the office, and the last person they see when they leave. As such, medical assistants play an important role in creating a positive experience for patients.

Additionally, medical assisting is a stable and growing field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026—much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to an aging population and an increasing demand for healthcare services. As baby boomers age, they will need more medical care, and doctors will increasingly rely on medical assistants to perform routine tasks so that they can focus on more complex cases.

Medical assistants also enjoy good job security. Because they perform such vital functions, medical assistants are less likely to be replaced by automated systems or outsourced to other countries. And because there is such high demand for their services, medical assistants who lose their jobs will likely find new ones quickly.

Finally, pursuing a career in medical assisting can lead to job satisfaction and personal fulfillment. Medical assistants have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. They also enjoy good working hours and conditions, as well as opportunities for career advancement

What are the Best Medical Assistant Programs in Atlanta?

The best medical assistant programs in Atlanta are those that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), and offer a curriculum that is approved by the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Both of these organizations are recognized by the US Department of Education.

In order to be eligible for certification, students must graduate from an accredited program and pass the Certification Examination for Medical Assistants (CMA). Certification is not required in all states, but it is increasingly becoming a requirement for employment.

There are many medical assistant programs in Atlanta to choose from. We have compiled a list of the best programs, based on accreditation, approval, and US Department of Education recognition.

What are the Prerequisites for a Medical Assistant Program?

Medical assisting programs vary in length, but most take about a year to complete. Some programs culminate in a certificate, while others offer an associate degree. In order to enroll in a medical assistant program, you’ll need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some schools also require applicants to take placement tests and submit transcripts as part of the admissions process.

Once you’re enrolled in a medical assistant program, you can expect to take courses in Medical Terminology anatomy and physiology, and administrative office procedures. You’ll also get practical experience through externships or clinical rotations. After completing a medical assistant program, you’ll be prepared to sit for certification exams offered by professional organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

What is the Job Outlook for Medical Assistants?

The job outlook for medical assistants is positive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 23 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The increased demand for healthcare services from an aging population will lead to more outpatient visits, and thus, a need for additional support in physicians’ offices and other healthcare facilities

What are the Salary Expectations for Medical Assistants?

The medical assisting profession is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 29% growth in employment from 2019 to 2029.1 As more and more healthcare facilities look to cut costs, the demand for medical assistants—who can perform both administrative and clinical tasks—is expected to continue to rise.

If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant, you might be wondering what kind of salary you can expect to earn. Below we have information on the average hourly and annual wages for medical assistants in Atlanta and across the state of Georgia.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistants in Atlanta earn an average hourly wage of $17.14.2 This equates to an average annual salary of $35,710. When compared to the rest of the country, medical assistants in Atlanta earn slightly above the national average hourly wage of $16.83 and slightly below the national average annual salary of $35,080.3

Medical assistants in Georgia earn an average hourly wage of $15.86, which equates to an average annual salary of $33,030.4 When compared to medical assistants in other states, those in Georgia earn slightly below both the national average hourly wage and the national average annual salary.

What are the Duties of a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are an important part of the healthcare team. They are specially trained to perform both administrative and clinical tasks in order to keep the medical office or clinic running smoothly.

Most medical assistant programs take about one year to complete, and upon graduation, medical assistants are prepared to take on a variety of roles within a healthcare setting. Here are just a few of the duties that medical assistants may be responsible for:

Answering patient phone calls and schedule appointments
Updating and filing patient medical records
Taking and recording patients’ vital signs
Assisting the physician with patient examinations
Preparing patients for lab tests and x-rays
Drawing blood and collecting urine samples
Administering medications as directed by the physician
Maintaining sterile equipment and supplies

What are the Skills Needed to be a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants perform many different tasks in clinics and doctor’s offices, from scheduling appointments to taking vital signs. They are a vital part of the healthcare team, and their duties can vary depending on the size and type of medical practice. If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant, here are some of the skills you’ll need to succeed in this rewarding career.

Communication: Medical assistants must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team. They need to be able to understand and follow doctors’ orders, as well as explain procedures and medical terminology to patients.

Organization: Medical assistants must be able to keep track of patients’ medical records schedule appointments, and maintain supplies. They need to be able to multitask and prioritize their work tasks.

Attention to Detail: Medical assistants need to be detail-oriented in order to perform their duties accurately. They need to be able to take accurate vital signs, record patient histories, and document doctors’ orders correctly.

Interpersonal Skills: Medical assistants must be able to build rapport with patients and work well with other members of the healthcare team. They need to be able to show compassion for patients and maintain a professional demeanor at all times.

What are the Education and Training Requirements for Medical Assistants?

Medical assistants are usually required to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and most medical assistants complete a formal training program. Formal training programs for medical assistants are typically offered through community colleges, technical schools, and vocational schools. These programs usually last about 1 year and result in a certificate or diploma. Some medical assistants may also choose to earn an associate degree in medical assisting.

What are the Certification and Licensure Requirements for Medical Assistants?

Medical assistants are unlicensed personnel who perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep doctors’ offices, clinics and other healthcare facilities running smoothly. Although they may perform a wide variety of tasks, depending on the size and type of facility where they work, medical assistants typically take medical histories and collect vital signs, prepare patients for examination, assist physicians during examinations, schedule appointments and provide instructions to patients on follow-up care.

Medical assistants must complete an accredited postsecondary education program to earn either a certificate or diploma. These programs typically last from 1 to 2 years and are available at many community colleges, technical schools and universities. Some states have specific certification requirements for medical assistants.

What are the Job Opportunities for Medical Assistants?

Medical assistants are in demand in a variety of settings. Hospitals, physician’s offices, outpatient clinics, and other health care facilities all utilize medical assistants. Jobs are expected to be especially good in rural and inner-city health care facilities. The median salary for medical assistants in May 2004 was $29,660 per year. The middle 50 percent of medical assistants earned between $25,980 and $34,480 per year. The top 10 percent earned more than $40,610 per year, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $21,370 per year.