HACC’s Medical Assistant Program

HACC’s medical assistant Program is a great way to get started in the medical field. The program is affordable and offers a variety of courses to choose from.

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HACC’s medical assistant Program: An Overview

The Medical Assistant Program at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) is a two-year program that leads to an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. The program is offered at HACC’s Harrisburg Campus and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The Medical Assistant Program prepares our graduates to work as Medical assistants in a variety of health care settings, such as physician’s offices, clinics, hospitals and long-term care facilities. Our graduates are qualified to perform both clinical and administrative duties, such as taking patient histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with procedures, scheduling appointments and managing medical records

In addition to completing coursework in subjects such as anatomy, physiology and Medical Terminology students in the program receive hands-on training in our on-campus medical laboratory and clinical rotation sites. We also offer our students the opportunity to participate in an externship during their second year of study.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

The Benefits of a Medical Assistant Program

There are many benefits to completing a medical assistant program at HACC. As a medical assistant, you will be able to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and physician’s offices. You will also be able to take on a variety of roles, such as administrative duties, patient care tasks, and assisting with medical procedures. Medical assistants are in high demand, and completing a medical assistant program will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this growing field.

The Coursework of a Medical Assistant Program

While the daily duties of a medical assistant are generally clerical and administrative, in order to perform those duties, medical assistants must have a working knowledge of human anatomy, common medical procedures, and basic laboratory techniques. A typical medical assistant program at HACC will therefore include coursework in all of these areas.

Anatomy and Physiology: In this course, students will learn about the structure and function of the human body systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, nervous, and reproductive systems.

Common Medical Procedures: This course will introduce students to common medical procedures that they may be called upon to assist with as a medical assistant. Procedures covered may include vitals signs measurement, administering injections, drawing blood, performing EKGs, and assisting with physical examinations.

Basic Laboratory Techniques: In this course, students will learn how to perform basic laboratory tests commonly ordered by physicians. Students will gain experience with collecting and processing specimens for testing, as well as operating common laboratory equipment.

The Clinical Experience of a Medical Assistant Program

Clinical experiences for medical assistants are an important part of the curriculum in order to provide students with “hands-on” training. At HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, the medical assistant program requires students to complete a minimum of 160 hours in a health care facility as part of their training. The clinical experience gives students an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom to a real-world setting.

The medical assistant program at HACC is designed to prepare students for an entry-level position in a variety of health care settings, such as physician offices, hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The clinical experience is an important part of the program, as it gives students the chance to work with patients and gain first-hand experience in the field.

The Job Outlook for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are in high demand! The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2024, and with good reason.

As our population ages and baby boomers require more medical care, the demand for qualified medical assistants will continue to grow. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median pay for medical assistants in May 2016 was $31,540 per year, or $15.12 per hour.

With an aging population and advances in medical technology, the job outlook for medical assistants is very promising. If you are thinking about a career in healthcare, becoming a medical assistant is a great choice!

The Salary of a Medical Assistant

The average medical assistant salary is $33,610 per year, which is much lower than other medical professions. The top 10% of medical assistants make over $40,000 per year, while the bottom 10% make under $27,000 per year. Salary will vary based on experience, education, location, and employer. The best-paid 25% of medical assistants make $36,330 or more per year, while the lowest-paid 25% make $30,580 or less per year.

The Future of Medical Assisting

At HACC, we offer a Medical Assistant program that will give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this rapidly growing field. As a medical assistant, you will be an important member of the healthcare team, providing support to physicians and other medical professionals.

The medical assistant profession is expected to grow much faster than average in the coming years, so now is a great time to begin your training. Our program is designed to prepare you for the National Healthcare Association’s (NHA) Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, and we offer both daytime and evening classes to fit your schedule.

If you are interested in a career in healthcare that is both rewarding and challenging, contact us today to learn more about HACC’s Medical Assistant program.

10 Reasons to Become a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are in high demand. In fact, 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 occupations1. That’s more than double the growth rate for all occupations! Here are 10 reasons why becoming a medical assistant may be the right choice for you.

1. Medical assistants are in high demand. 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 occupations1. That’s more than double the growth rate for all occupations!

2. You can get started quickly. HACC offers a 10-month Medical Assistant diploma program that can put you on the path to an exciting career in healthcare in as little as a year!

3. Medical assistants make a difference in people’s lives every day. As a medical assistant, you will play an important role in patient care, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping people every day.

4. Medical assistants have many responsibilities. As a medical assistant, you may be responsible for taking patient histories and performing basic laboratory tests, among other things. This varied work keep things interesting and provides opportunities to learn new skills and grow professionally.

5. Medical assistants work in a variety of settings. You could find yourself working in a doctor’s office, hospital, or even a research lab! Wherever you end up working, you will be part of a team of professionals dedicated to improving healthcare for all.
6 working with patients can be very gratifying.. You will have the opportunity to establish rapport with patients and help them through difficult times as they receive treatment or cope with illnesses.
7 You can advance your career.. After gaining some experience as a medical assistant, you may decide to pursue additional training to become a nurse or another type of healthcare professional. There are many paths you can take as a medical assistant, and the sky is the limit!
8 A career as a medical assistant offers good job security.. With such rapid growth projected in this field, there is no need to worry about finding a job after graduation – there will plenty of opportunities available! And once you have found a job, it is unlikely that you will ever find yourself out of work – medical assistants are always in demand!

5 Myths About Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are one of the most important members of a medical team, playing a vital role in patient care. Despite their growing importance, there are still many misconceptions about what medical assistants do and what they don’t do. Here are five of the most common myths about medical assistants, debunked.

Myth #1: Medical assistants are unlicensed- This is one of the most common myths about medical assistants. In reality, most states require medical assistants to be licensed by the state in which they work. Some states also require medical assistants to be certified by a national organization, such as the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association.

Myth #2: Medical assistants only do administrative work- While medical assistants do perform many administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and filing insurance paperwork, they also have a wide range of clinical duties. These can include taking patient histories, performing basic lab tests, and giving injections.

Myth #3: Medical assistants only work in doctors’ offices- While mostmedical assistants do work in traditional doctor’s office settings, an increasing number are finding employment in other settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient clinics.

Myth #4: All medical assistants have the same job duties- As with any profession, there can be a great deal of variation in the job duties of medical assistants depending on their employer’s needs and their own skills and interests. Some medical assistant positions may require primarily administrative duties while others may focus more on clinical tasks. And while most medical assistant positions are full time, some may be part time or even per diem.

Myth #5: Anyone can be a medical assistant- Although there is no formal education requirement for becoming a medical assistant, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accreditedmedical assistant program. These programs typically take about one year to complete and include both classroom instruction and hands-on training in real-world settings.

How to Choose the Right Medical Assistant Program

Choosing the right medical assistant program is an important first step towards starting a rewarding career in healthcare. But with so many programs to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?

Here are some things to consider when choosing a medical assistant program:

– Does the program offer both classroom and clinical training?
– Are the instructors experienced medical assistants?
– Is the program accredited by a reputable accrediting agency?
– Does the program offer job placement assistance?

Taking the time to research different medical assistant programs will help you find the one that best meets your needs.