5 Medical Assistant Schools in AZ You Need to Know About

Considering a career in medical assisting? Here are 5 medical assistant schools in Arizona that will give you the education and skills you need to succeed in this rewarding field.

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Why a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the medical assistant occupation will grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The duties of a medical assistant are both clinical and administrative. Clinical duties may include taking patient vital signs, drawing blood, giving injections and performing EKGs. Medical assistants also schedule appointments, take patient histories, answer phones, file insurance claims andcodedo billing.

With the aging population and advances in medical technology leading to longer life spans, there is an increased need for healthcare services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that the demand for medical assistants will continue to grow as our population ages.

What is a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who work alongside physicians and other medical staff to provide patient care and perform administrative tasks. They are an integral part of the healthcare team, often times taking on both clinical and administrative roles.

Most medical assistants have at least a certificate or diploma from an accredited medical assistant program. Some states may require certification or licensure, although this is not always the case. Medical assistants may also choose to pursue additional certification in a specialty area, such as phlebotomy or medical billing and coding.

If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant, you’ve probably got a lot of questions about the profession. What do medical assistants do on a day-to-day basis? What kind of training is required? What are the job prospects like?

We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to answer all your questions about becoming a medical assistant.

The Different Types of Medical Assistants

There are different types of medical assistants, each with their own set of responsibilities. Here are five of the most common types of medical assistants:

1. Clinical medical assistants. Clinical medical assistants work directly with patients. They take medical histories, measure vital signs, and prepare patients for examination. They also assisting doctors during examinations, procedures, and treatments.

2. Administrative medical assistants. Administrative medical assistants handle the business side of healthcare. They schedule appointments, maintain patient records, process insurance claims, and perform billing and coding tasks.

3. Laboratory medical assistants. Laboratory medical assistants work in hospital or clinic laboratories. They collect and process blood, urine, and other bodily fluids for testing.

4. Pharmacy medical assistants. Pharmacy medical assistants work in pharmacies, filling prescriptions and providing customer service.

5. Specialty medical assistants. Specialty medical assistants have specific duties that vary depending on their employer’s needs. For example, a doctor’s office may have a registered nurse on staff to provide direct patient care, while a large hospital may employ several surgical technologists to assist during surgeries.

The Duties of a Medical Assistant

The duties of a medical assistant are mainly administrative and clerical, but may also include clinical tasks in some settings. They work in physicians’ offices, clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Medical assistants perform many tasks to keep the offices of doctors and other health practitioners running smoothly.

The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the size and type of practice. In small offices, medical assistants usually do many different jobs, while those in large group practices or hospitals tend to specialize in one or two areas. Some medical assistants specialize in areas such as billing and coding, while others may choose to focus on clinical tasks such as taking patients’ vital signs or collecting lab specimens.

No matter what their specialization, all medical assistants must be able to perform basic clerical duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records and handling correspondence. They also answer phones, greet patients and provide them with information about the office’s policies. Many medical assistants take on additional responsibilities, such as managing the office finances or ordering supplies.

The Education of a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are crucial members of any healthcare team. They are the link between the doctor and the patient, often serving as the first point of contact for patients. As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks, from administrative duties to clinical tasks.

The education of a medical assistant can vary depending on where you study and your chosen specialization. However, most medical assistant programs will prepare you for both administrative and clinical tasks. In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited medical assistant program.

There are many medical assistant schools in Arizona that can offer you the education you need to pursue a career in this growing field. Here are 5 medical assistant schools in AZ that you need to know about:

1. Carrington College: Carrington College offers a medical assisting program that prepares students for both administrative and clinical tasks. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

2. Pima Medical Institute: Pima Medical Institute offers a variety of health care programs, including a medical assisting program. The medical assisting program at Pima Medical Institute is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

3. Valley Forge Military College: Valley Forge Military College offers a variety of health care programs, including a medical assisting program. The medical assisting program at Valley Forge Military College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

4. Glendale Community College: Glendale Community College offers an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Medical Assisting. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

5. Brown Mackie College: Brown Mackie College offers an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Medical Assisting as well as a Certificate Program in Medical Assisting. Both programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The Certification of a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants perform many duties to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. They are often the first point of contact with patients and play an important role in greeting them, taking their vital signs, and recording their medical history. Medical assistants may also prepare patients for examination, collect laboratory specimens, schedule appointments, code and process insurance forms, and provide instruction to patients on medication and diet. In order to perform these tasks, medical assistants must be well-trained in Medical Terminology office procedures, and patient relations.

The certification of a medical assistant is not required in all states; however, employers usually prefer or require certification as proof of training and competence. Certification ensures that a medical assistant has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the job tasks competently. There are several agencies that offer certification for medical assistants, but the two most recognized are the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be certified by either of these organizations, candidates must pass a written examination. In addition to demonstrating knowledge through examinations, both organizations also require candidates to have graduated from an accredited medical assistant program and have completed a certain number of clinical hours working under the supervision of a physician or other health care provider.

The Salary of a Medical Assistant

The median salary for a medical assistant in Arizona is $33,610, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means that half of all medical assistants in the state earn more than this amount and half earn less. The median is a good measure to use when looking at salaries because it is not affected by a few very high or low salaries that can skew the results.

The Job Outlook of a Medical Assistant

The job outlook of a medical assistant is very positive. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the occupation will grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026 – much faster than the average for all occupations.1

With such strong growth projected for the occupation, now is a great time to consider becoming a medical assistant. And if you live in Arizona, there are several excellent schools to choose from.

Here are 5 medical assistant schools in AZ you need to know about:

1. Brown Mackie College – Phoenix
2. Carrington College – Mesa
3. Everest College – Phoenix
4. Pima Medical Institute – Mesa and Tucson
5. Renton Technical College – Renton

The States with the Highest Employment Level for Medical Assistants

There are many reasons why you might want to become a medical assistant. Maybe you’re interested in the medical field but don’t necessarily want to go to medical school. Or maybe you want to work in the medical field but prefer a more administrative role. Whatever your reasons, becoming a medical assistant can be a great decision.

And if you’re looking for a state with plenty of opportunities for medical assistants, you’ll want to consider Arizona. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona is one of the states with the highest employment level for medical assistants. In fact, as of May 2019, there were over 9,000 medical assistants employed in Arizona.

If you’re considering becoming a medical assistant in Arizona, here are five schools you should know about:

1. Grand Canyon University – Phoenix
2. Pima Medical Institute – Mesa
3. Brown Mackie College – Phoenix
4. Apollo College – Phoenix
5. Gateway Community College – Phoenix

5 Medical Assistant Schools in Arizona You Need to Know About

The average salary for a Medical Assistant in Arizona is $33,890. However, salaries range from $28,460 to $39,490. That’s a difference of $10,030!

There are many schools that offer medical assisting programs in Arizona. Below are five of the best, based on student reviews.

1. Carrington College-Mesa
2. Everest College-Phoenix West
3. GateWay Community College
4. Pima Medical Institute-Tucson
5. Glendale Community College