Collin College Offers Medical Assistant Program
Contents
- What is a Medical Assistant?
- The Medical Assistant Program at Collin College
- What Will You Learn in the Medical Assistant Program?
- The Benefits of a Medical Assistant Program
- The Career Opportunities for Medical Assistants
- The Job Outlook for Medical Assistants
- How to Become a Medical Assistant
- The Salary of a Medical Assistant
- The Medical Assistant Certification
- Why Choose Collin College for Your Medical Assistant Program?
Collin College offers a medical assistant program to help you get started in your career in the medical field. This program is perfect for those who are looking to get their feet wet in the medical field and learn the basics of becoming a medical assistant.
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What is a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants are versatile, multi-skilled allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings such as physicians’ offices, clinics, group practices, and specialty care centers. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the size and location of the practice and the physician’s specialty. In small practices, medical assistants often wear many hats, performing both administrative and clinical duties. In large practices and clinics, medical assistants generally specialize in one area or the other.
Administrative medical assistants perform tasks such as scheduling appointments, verifying insurance benefits, coding and processing insurance claims, handling correspondence, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records and handling billing and bookkeeping. Clinical tasks performed by medical assistants include taking medical histories and recording vital signs; preparing patients for examination; assisting the physician during the examination; performing routine laboratory tests; scheduling diagnostic procedures; instructing patients about medication and special diets; removing sutures; handling minor office surgery; drawing blood; applying cast/splints/braces; taking electrocardiograms (EKGs); performing basic unauthorized x-rays under supervision of a licensed provider; helping with patient education.
The Medical Assistant Program at Collin College
The Medical Assistant Program at Collin College is a two-semester program that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of a medical assistant. The program is offered at the Collin Higher Education Center in Frisco, Texas.
The medical assistant program at Collin College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP is the nationally recognized accrediting agency for allied health education programs. CAAHEP accreditation assures that the Medical Assistant Program meets or exceeds the standards set forth by CAAHEP.
The curriculum for the Medical Assistant Program at Collin College is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of a medical assistant in a variety of healthcare settings. The curriculum includes coursework in Medical Terminology Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology, Medical Law and Ethics, and Clinical Procedures. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant Exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
What Will You Learn in the Medical Assistant Program?
The Medical Assistant program at Collin College is a two-year associate degree program that prepares students for a variety of roles in the medical field. Students in the program will take courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, and medical office procedures. In addition to coursework, students will also complete clinical rotations in various medical settings. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.
The Benefits of a Medical Assistant Program
Medical assistants play a vital role in the health care system. They are the link between patients and physicians, and they provide essential support in doctor’s offices, clinics and hospitals.
A medical assistant program can provide you with the training you need to become a medical assistant. The program will provide you with the skills and knowledge to perform tasks such as taking medical histories, measuring vital signs, giving injections, scheduling appointments and performing basic laboratory tests.
Medical assistants are in demand and the job outlook is positive. 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.
If you are interested in a career in healthcare, a medical assistant program is a great place to start. Collin College offers a Medical Assistant Program that can help you launch your career in healthcare.
The Career Opportunities for Medical Assistants
Medical assistants are in demand now more than ever. With the advances in technology and changes in the healthcare system, the career opportunities for medical assistants are vast.
Collin College offers a Medical Assistant program that trains students in both clinical and administrative duties. The program is designed to prepare students for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, as well as to provide them with the skills they need to be successful in the workforce.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
– Perform routine office and clinical tasks to keep the medical practice running smoothly
– Schedule appointments, maintain Medical records bill insurance companies, and perform other administrative tasks
– Take and record patient histories and vital signs
– Prepare patients for examination and assist the physician during the exam
– Perform basic laboratory tests and collect specimens for lab analysis
– Educate patients about health maintenance and disease prevention
The Job Outlook for Medical Assistants
Medical assistants are one of the nation’s fastest-growing occupations, with an expected 29% growth in jobs from 2016 to 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.* This whopping growth is much faster than the 7% growth expected for all occupations during that time period.
As our population ages, there will be an increased demand for preventive medical services. This, combined with a continued emphasis on patient care and comfort, will lead to more demand for medical assistants in physicians’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Medical assistants perform many routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. They work closely with patients and are often the first point of contact in a medical facility. With Collin College’s Medical Assistant Program, you can be on your way to a career in this growing field in as little as 8 months!
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
How to Become a Medical Assistant
The medical assistant program at Collin College can help you take the first steps towards an exciting new career in healthcare!
Medical assistants are multi-skilled professionals who perform both clinical and administrative tasks in a variety of healthcare settings. Clinical duties may include taking and recording patients’ vital signs, administering injections, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with minor surgical procedures, and collecting and processing laboratory specimens. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records handling billing and insurance claims, and performing office duties such as typing, faxing, and filing.
An accredited medical assistant program like the one at Collin College can give you the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this versatile and growing profession. The Collin College medical assistant program is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program that includes classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, and clinical practicums. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
If you’re looking for a rewarding career in healthcare with plenty of opportunity for growth, consider becoming a medical assistant!
The Salary of a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are in high demand, and with good reason. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The job outlook for medical assistants is good, with an expected 23 percent growth in employment from 2016 to 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And the median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2017, according to the BLS.
The Medical Assistant Certification
Collin College in Texas offers an accredited Medical Assistant certification program that takes approximately two years to complete. The curriculum for this program includes both classroom and laboratory instruction in basic sciences, medical terminology, clinical procedures, and administrative practices. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Why Choose Collin College for Your Medical Assistant Program?
So, you’ve decided you want to become a medical assistant. That’s great! The medical assistant profession is rewarding, both personally and financially. But what’s the next step? How do you choose the best medical assistant program to meet your needs?
Here are five reasons why Collin College is a great choice for your medical assistant program:
1. We offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting. This means that, upon completion of the program, you will earn a degree that is recognized by the Texas Workforce Commission.
2. We are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This is the gold standard in accreditation for medical assistant programs and ensures that our students receive a quality education that meets or exceeds industry standards.
3. Our faculty are experts in their field and are passionate about teaching. They fosters a supportive learning environment that helps students succeed.
4. We offer hands-on learning opportunities in our state-of-the-art labs. This allows students to gain real-world experience and develop the skills they need to be successful in their career.
5. We have strong relationships with local healthcare employers who hire our graduates. This gives our students a leg up when it comes time to find a job after graduation.
Choosing the right medical assistant program is an important decision, but we believe Collin College is the clear choice for anyone looking for a quality education that will prepare them for a successful career in healthcare.