Online Education Programs for Medical Assistants
Contents
- What is a medical assistant?
- What do medical assistants do?
- What are the benefits of becoming a medical assistant?
- What are the requirements to become a medical assistant?
- How to become a medical assistant?
- What are the best online medical assistant programs?
- What is the average salary for a medical assistant?
- What are the job outlook and career opportunities for medical assistants?
- 10 reasons to become a medical assistant
- 5 top paying states for medical assistants
Online education programs for Medical assistants can help you get the training you need to start your career in the medical field. These programs offer courses that cover the essential skills and knowledge needed to be a successful medical assistant
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What is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is a person who has been trained to perform certain tasks in a doctor’s office or clinic. They are usually responsible for greeting patients, taking medical histories, measuring vital signs, and giving injections. In some states, they may also be able to perform basic lab work or give medications under the supervision of a licensed medical professional.
Medical assistants can be certified or registered through an accredited program. Certification is not required in all states, but it may be necessary to become registered. Some employers prefer to hire certified Medical Assistants because it shows that the employee has met a certain level of competency.
What do medical assistants do?
Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work in outpatient settings such as medical offices and clinics. Their duties vary according to state law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and collecting and preparing laboratory specimens. Medical assistants also may arrange laboratory tests and perform basic laboratory procedures, dispose of contaminated supplies, sterilize medical instruments, authorize prescription refills as directed by a physician, draw blood, give injections, remove sutures, change dressings, counseling patients on health issues such as diet and exercise according to the instructions of a physician.
What are the benefits of becoming a medical assistant?
There are many reasons to consider a career as a medical assistant According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States with an expected growth rate of 29% from 2016 to 2026. This means that there will be many job opportunities for medical assistants in the coming years.
In addition to good job prospects, medical assistants also enjoy a number of other benefits. Here are some of the advantages of becoming a medical assistant:
-Good pay: Medical assistants earn a median salary of $33,610 per year, which is significantly higher than the median salary for all occupations ($37,690).
-Flexible hours: Many medical assistants work full-time, but there is also a significant number who work part-time. This can be advantageous for those who need or want to work fewer hours.
-Opportunities for advancement: Some medical assistants eventually move into other roles within the healthcare industry, such as nursing or administration.
-Help people: Medical assistants play an important role in ensuring that patients receive the care they need.
What are the requirements to become a medical assistant?
There are generally three ways to become a medical assistant: on-the-job training, completion of an accredited medical assistant program, or a combination of both. Most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited program, but on-the-job training may be an option for some candidates.
To be eligible for on-the-job training, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and must complete a brief period of academic and/or clinical training. Most on-the-job training programs last between six and twelve weeks. Once you have completed your training, you will be expected to take and pass a certified medical assistant exam.
An accredited medical assistant program typically lasts between one and two years and is offered by community colleges, technical schools, and some hospitals. During your program, you will take classes in Medical Terminology anatomy and physiology, patient care, pharmacology, and medical office procedures. You will also complete a clinical externship where you will gain hands-on experience in a real medical setting. Upon completion of your program, you will need to pass a certified medical assistant exam.
How to become a medical assistant?
Medical assistants are in high demand across the healthcare industry. As a medical assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the work of doctors and nurses. You will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including scheduling appointments, taking patient medical histories, measuring vital signs, and assisting with minor medical procedures.
If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, there are a few things you need to know. First, you will need to complete an accredited medical assistant training program. These programs are typically offered by community colleges and universities. Many programs can be completed in as little as one year.
Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once you have passed the exam, you will be eligible for certification and can begin working as a medical assistant.
What are the best online medical assistant programs?
Medical assistants perform many important administrative and clinical tasks to keep doctors’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities running smoothly. If you’re detail-oriented, organized, and enjoy working with people, a career as a medical assistant may be a good fit for you.
While most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited medical assistant program. Although there are many brick-and-mortar schools that offer medical assistant programs, online programs are also available.
The best online medical assistant programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These accreditations ensure that the programs meet rigorous standards and prepare students for successful careers as medical assistants.
In addition to being accredited, the best online medical assistant programs will also offer students a variety of resources, such as externships and job placement assistance. These resources can help students get real-world experience in the field and land jobs after graduation.
If you’re thinking about pursuing a career as a medical assistant, consider enrolling in one of the best online medical assistant programs. With an accredited program, you can be sure you’re getting quality education and training that will prepare you for a successful career in this growing field.
What is the average salary for a medical assistant?
Medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry, providing support to physicians and other medical professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a medical assistant is $34,800 per year. Medical assistants who have completed an accredited online education program can expect to earn a higher salary than those who have not.
What are the job outlook and career opportunities for medical assistants?
Medical assistants enjoy some of the best job prospects and career opportunities of any occupation. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In fact, the BLS projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29% during this period, which is more than three times the projected 7% growth rate for all occupations.
10 reasons to become a medical assistant
There are many reasons to enter the medical assisting field. Here are 10 of the most compelling:
1. Help people every day. Medical assistants play a vital role in patient care, and you can take satisfaction in knowing that you’re helping people every day.
2. Work in a medical setting. If you’ve always wanted to work in a medical setting, becoming a medical assistant is a great way to do it. You’ll have the opportunity to work with patients, doctors, and other medical professionals on a daily basis.
3. Get started quickly. Unlike some other healthcare careers, you can typically become a medical assistant fairly quickly. Many programs can be completed in less than two years, and some students are even able to complete their training in as little as one year.
4. Enjoy job security. Medical assistants are in high demand, and the demand is only expected to grow in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026—much faster than the average for all occupations. So, if you’re looking for a career with good job security, becoming a medical assistant is a great option.
5. Earn a good salary. In addition to enjoying job security, medical assistants also earn good salaries—especially when you consider how quickly you can enter the field. The median annual salary for medical assistants was $31,540 in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And,medical assistants in the top 10% of earners earned more than $46,480 per year. So, if you’re looking for a career that will allow you to earn a good salary relatively quickly, becoming a medical assistant is worth considering.
6. Have flexible working hours . Medical assisting can be a great career choice if you’re looking for flexibility in your working hours . Many medical assistants work full time , but there is also a significant number who work part time . In fact , according to the BLS , 26% of all medical assistants worked part time in 2016 . So , if you need or want flexible working hours , becoming a medical assistant may be ideal .
7 . Have the opportunity to advance . While some medical assistants choose to stay in entry – level positions their entire careers , others use their experience as springboards into more advanced roles within the healthcare field . For example , many move into management positions or become certified nurse aides (CNAs), physician ’s assistants (PAs), or registered nurses (RNs). If you ’ re interested in advancing your career , becoming amedical assistant can give you the opportunityto do so down the road .
5 top paying states for medical assistants
The top five paying states for medical assistants are California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania. California medical assistants earn an average hourly wage of $17.07, Florida medical assistants earn an average hourly wage of $16.59, Illinois medical assistants earn an average hourly wage of $16.50, New York medical assistants earn an average hourly wage of $15.92, and Pennsylvania medical assistants earn an average hourly wage of $15.76.