Multicare Offers a Medical Assistant Program

Multicare Health System offers a medical assistant Program that may be the perfect fit for you if you’re interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. This program will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful medical assistant and it’s a great way to get your foot in the door of the healthcare industry. Learn more about the program and how it can benefit you by reading our blog post.

Checkout this video:

Introduction to Multicare

Multicare is a not-for-profit health system based in Tacoma, Washington. With nine hospitals, more than 200 primary and specialty care clinics and a wide range of health services, Multicare is committed to improving the health of the communities it serves.

One way we do that is by offering education and training programs that help prepare people for careers in healthcare. Our Medical Assistant program is one of those programs.

The Medical Assistant program at Multicare is a one-year, full-time program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience in a clinical setting. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the national certification exam for Medical assistants

If you are interested in a career in healthcare and want to make a difference in your community, we encourage you to learn more about our Medical Assistant program.

What is a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are important members of the healthcare team. They work in physician’s offices, clinics and other outpatient care centers. Their duties vary with the size and location of the practice, but they generally perform both administrative ( clerical ) and clinical tasks.

Most medical assistants have completed a postsecondary education program that lasts from one to two years. These programs typically lead to a certificate or diploma. Some medical assistants earn an Associate’s degree in medical assisting. A few states have regulations that control the title “medical assistant,” but most do not.

Duties of Medical Assistants
Medical assistants perform many tasks, including:
Answering telephones
Scheduling appointments
Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
Preparing patients for examination
Taking and recording patient histories and vital signs
Assisting with examinations
Instructing patients on taking medication or testing their own blood-sugar levels
Performing basic laboratory tests
Drawing blood
Preparing patients for X-rays Removing sutures and changing dressings

Administrative tasks include: Billing insurance companies Filling out insurance forms Arranging for hospital admissions Handling correspondence Maintaining medical records Bookkeeping Scheduling appointments Making travel arrangements for a patient to see a specialist

Clinical tasks include: Taking patients’ medical histories Checking patients’ height, weight and blood pressure Performing routine laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts Giving injections Applying dressings to wounds

The duties of a Medical Assistant

The duties of a medical assistant are both clinical and administrative. Medical assistants must be able to perform various tasks related to patient care and comfort, as well as office duties such as scheduling appointments and maintaining Medical records

Clinical duties of medical assistants may include taking patient vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, performing basic laboratory tests, and assisting physicians with procedures. Medical assistants may also be responsible for giving patients injections or vaccinations, dressing wounds, and providing other types of patient care.

Administrative duties of medical assistants may include answering phones, scheduling appointments, greeting patients, handling correspondence, coding and filing insurance forms, and billing patients. Medical assistants may also be responsible for handling medical records ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment.

The benefits of becoming a Medical Assistant

The role of a medical assistant is both important and rewarding. Medical assistants are an integral part of the healthcare team, providing support to physicians and other clinicians. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories and scheduling appointments. They also may take vital signs, assist with examinations, and provide patient education.

Medical assistants are in high demand, and the demand is expected to continue to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 23 percent from 2019 to 2029—much faster than the average for all occupations.1

Becoming a medical assistant offers many benefits, including:

-A rewarding career helping others: Medical assistants have the satisfaction of knowing they are playing an important role in the lives of patients and their families.
-Good pay and job security: The median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2019.2 Job opportunities are expected to be very good—especially for those who have completed a postsecondary education program in medical assisting.
-Flexible work hours: Many medical assisting positions are full time, but some may offer flexible scheduling options that allow workers to choose hours that fit their needs.
-Many job openings: The number of job openings for medical assistants is expected to exceed 700,000 from 2019 to 2029.3

The requirements to become a Medical Assistant

In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited medical assistant program. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the Certifying Board of Medical Assistants (CBMA) credentialing exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will be a certified medical assistant and will be able to find employment in a variety of healthcare settings.

The curriculum of the Medical Assistant program

The curriculum of the Medical Assistant program at Multicare includes both classroom and hands-on instruction. Classroom instruction covers topics such as Medical Terminology anatomy and physiology, medical office procedures, and patient care. Hands-on training gives students the opportunity to practice their skills in a real-world setting. Students in the Medical Assistant program also have the opportunity to complete an externship, which provides them with even more experience in the field.

The admissions process for the Medical Assistant program

Admission to the Medical Assistant program at Multicare is a multi-step process. The first step is to submit an application, which can be done online or in person. Once your application has been received, you will be required to take an admissions test. This test is used to assess your basic math and reading skills. If you pass the admissions test, you will be scheduled for an interview with a member of the admissions committee. During the interview, you will be asked questions about your motivation for wanting to become a medical assistant and your career goals. Once you have completed the interview process, you will be notified of the admissions decision.

The cost of the Medical Assistant program

The cost of the Medical Assistant program at Multicare is $1,500. This includes the tuition, books, and supplies.

The job outlook for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants perform many tasks in clinics and other healthcare facilities. They might take patient histories and measure vital signs, for example. Some medical assistants specialize in areas such as optometry or podiatry. Others work in a general settings where they might do many different types of tasks.

Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 23 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants.

Why choose Multicare for your Medical Assistant program?

Multicare offers a medical assistant program that is both affordable and convenient. You can complete the program in as little as six months, and you will have the opportunity to take classes online or in person.

Multicare is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), and our program has been designed to meet their rigorous standards. CAAHEP is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable accrediting agency for medical assistant programs, so you can be confident that you are receiving a high-quality education.

Our faculty members are experienced medical assistants who are passionate about teaching others. They will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in your career.

We also offer externships so that you can get real-world experience before you graduate. We have externship opportunities available at both medical facilities and insurance companies, so you can get a taste of what it’s like to work in different settings.