Medical office teams cannot function without medical assistants. It may take at least nine months to satisfy the requirements if you want to begin a thrilling and lucrative job as a medical assistant.
Understanding the position’s responsibilities might help you be ready to complete the training and educational requirements necessary to seek it.
In this article, we go through the primary responsibilities of medical assistants, how long it takes to become one, and the best trade schools for medical assistants in 2024; carefully read through.
Table of contents
Why Should I Be A Medical Assistant?
As you wonder whether a career as a medical assistant is best for you, here are a few things you need to know about being a medical assistant ad why you should pursue a career as one.
1. Personal fulfillment
By developing your medical knowledge and abilities, a career in the healthcare sector enables you to assist others. Aside from becoming familiar with every aspect of the medical industry, assistants work closely with patients.
Your duties in this line of work could include removing sutures and welcoming patients at the front desk. Even if you had a tough day at work, there is probably a fascinating medical procedure to learn the next day.
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2. Quick training in medical assistant programs
Although formal education is not usually necessary for employment in this industry, medical assistants with certification or an associate’s degree should have more job choices and may earn more money.
Additionally, programs for medical assistants can typically be finished in just one to two years. You’ll pick up essential knowledge, from first aid techniques to medical laws and ethics. A program may also include an internship to assist you in confidently transitioning into your new career.
Once you graduate, you can obtain a professional certification in CMA (AAMA).
3. Plentiful job prospects
Medical assistants are in constant demand due to population growth, technological advancements, and rising medical issues that need a proactive approach to healthcare.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an 18% growth in job demand for medical assistants between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than average, that predicts 864,000 medical assistant jobs by 2029.
4. Flexible schedule
Most medical assistants work a full-time 40-hour week. However, hospitals and urgent care centers frequently accommodate patients’ requirements by being open evenings, weekends, and holidays. That implies that you can create a timetable that fits your personal life even if you work an entire week. Depending on the hospital’s rules, you may be able to work part-time as a medical assistant.
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5. Available career advancement opportunities
You’ll have several options to advance once you’ve earned your certification as a medical assistant by pursuing more education.
For instance, you might discover that you appreciate getting to know patients well and decide to pursue a career in nursing. Many medical assistants progress to the role of office manager after acquiring some experience, which comes with more significant duties and higher pay.
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What Is A Medical Assistant Program Like?
Medical assistant training programs prepare students to carry out various tasks in the medical industry. In our seminars, you will learn the appropriate protocols and techniques utilized in clinical situations.
Additionally, you will study pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology as a student of medical assistance.
Along with the usual classroom instruction, our Medical Assisting program students must complete a 160-hour unpaid off-campus Medical Assisting Externship to graduate.
11 Best Trade Schools For Medical Assistants
Here’s a list of the 11 best trade schools for medical assistants:
- Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
- Fox Valley Technical College
- Bryant & Stratton College
- Southeast Technical College
- Globe University
- Lakeshore Technical College
- Carrington College
- American Career College
- North Iowa Area Community College
- Mitchelle Technical College
- Pima Medical Institute
1. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is one of the best leading technical universities in Wisconsin that offers a medical assistance degree in New Richmond, Rice Lake, and Superior, Wisconsin.
Their medical assistance program comprises 33 credits in clinical and general education courses. Here, students are exposed to complete clinical and administrative training as part of completing the program.
Students with a particular class tax can complete this authorized medical aid program in one year.
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2. Fox Valley Technical College
This diploma degree program offered at Fox Valley Technical College teaches students their role as medical assistants. They learn to assist physicians with examinations, minor office procedures, and administering medications.
You’ll learn how to collect samples and perform fundamental lab procedures and the required office skills. The curriculum includes a supervised practicum experience that lets you practice what you’ve studied in a practical setting.
The Medical Assisting Education Review Board recommended that the Commission accredit the Fox Valley Technical College Medical Assistant program on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) (MAERB).
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3. Bryant & Stratton College
A medical assistant associate of applied science (AAS) degree is available at Bryant & Stratton College. The liberal arts classes in this two-year curriculum are combined with clinical and medical studies.
Students can finish outsourcing before the program is completed. Bryant and Stratton College campuses in Ohio, Virginia, New York, and Wisconsin.
A fulfilling career in the medical profession can be attained by completing Bryant & Stratton College’s Medical Assisting Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program.
Graduates will acquire the medical knowledge and critical-thinking abilities needed to pursue employment options in private practices, hospitals, clinics, or even some governmental organizations.
Students who earn a degree in medical assistance will be equipped with the critical cognitive, psychomotor, and affective abilities demanded by companies in the modern healthcare industry.
4. Southeast Technical College
With a diploma from Southeast Tech, you may take advantage of the increasing demand in the healthcare sector today by working in the rapidly expanding medical assisting profession.
While studying as a Medical Assistant, you will learn in STC’s high-tech Sullivan Health/Science Center.
The Commission accredits the Medical Assisting program at Southeast Technical College on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
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5. Globe University
A 21-month associate’s degree in applied sciences for medical support is available from Globe University. Additionally, it is wholly accredited, and graduates can take the AAMA certification test.
This program combines free clinical and medical training with free art classes. Externships are something that students can do while in the program.
The University has clinics in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin that provide medical care.
6. Lakeshore Technical College
Lakeshore Technical College is ideal if you are looking for the best trade schools for medical assistants.
By managing a variety of clinical and administrative activities, medical assistants significantly contribute to the healthcare team. If you want to have the opportunity to work in the administrative unit, laboratory, and patient care parts of a doctor’s office or clinic, medical assisting may be the perfect profession for you.
At Lakeshore, medical assistant courses may be offered face-to-face, online, or blended with part-time scheduling options available.
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7. Carrington College
Carrington College excels at producing skilled medical assistants who are prepared to enter the workforce. Small class sizes, practical instruction, skill laboratories, and an outstanding faculty are all aspects of Carrington College.
Carrington College’s Medical Assisting Program offers you the hands-on training you need for a job in medical assisting.
You can complete the medical assistant program in nine months.
8. American Career College
American Career College delivers medical assisting education at its three campuses in California – Los Angeles, Orange County, and Ontario.
Eight separate course modules make up this certificate program’s 48.5 quarter-credit curriculum. These eight courses are broken down into seven classes with six credits each that will prepare you for administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures.
Through their medical assistant program, you can get the training to assist healthcare professionals in real-life medical settings. You can learn to communicate effectively, administer tests, and record vitals to provide optimal patient care.
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9. North Iowa Area Community College
The medical assistant program offered at North Iowa Area Community College is designed to equip you for a career in administrative and clinical healthcare.
They offer classes in settings like medical offices and clinics. NIACC’s classrooms include the latest in computers, offices, and laboratory equipment.
The Commission accredits the NIACC Medical Assistant Diploma program on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) recommendation.
10. Mitchelle Technical College
Mitchelle Technical College is one of the best trade schools for medical assistants. They offer the best education to students who wish to learn more about medical assistants’ administrative and clinical duties.
Mitchell Technical College’s Medical Assistant program was named #6 Best Medical Assistant Program by bestvalueschools.org based on retention rate, graduation rate, cost of tuition, community culture, student services, and more.
11. Pima Medical Institute
Pima Medical Institute offers a nine-month diploma in medical assistant. This program combines targeted courses in health, clinical practices, administration, and general education.
Students in the Medical Assistant certificate program will gain broad skills to apply to several medical office environments. Classes focus on examination techniques, surgical procedures, medical office laboratory procedures, medical law, and more, taught by instructors with years of experience.
Pima Medical Institute is accredited, and students can take the AAMA certification exam after graduation. Students receive help finding a job after graduation, and some locations offer night classes flexibly.
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How Long Does It Take To Become A Medical Assistant?
The duration it takes to complete a medical assistant program in a trade school varies. Most aspiring medical assistants finish their postsecondary education between nine months to two years.
It takes a lot of steps to become a medical assistant, including finishing high school, enrolling in medical assistant school, and earning certifications.
Most medical assistants complete a postsecondary medical assisting training program, but some people may start by getting on-the-job training. Employers, however, typically favor applicants who have completed a medical assisting school.
Universities, community colleges, and vocational schools all provide medical assisting training programs, after which a certificate, diploma, or associate degree may be awarded to students.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an 18% growth in job demand for medical assistants between 2020 and 2030
Is Medical Assistant Program Hard?
Experiences in education are subjective, whether you find medical assistant schooling challenging. For instance, people with a natural interest in biology and anatomy could find getting certified as a medical assistant easier.
According to the U.S. BLS, medical assistants are frequently expected to be analytical and detail-oriented; other crucial traits include interpersonal and technical abilities.
So, is training to be a medical assistant difficult? Your view may change depending on whether you already have some of these abilities. Students who enroll in MA training programs that offer hands-on training have various options to work with teachers with real-world experience.
FAQs On Best Trade Schools For Medical Assistants
It takes nine months to two years to complete a medical assistant program.
There are no particular certifications or licenses needed to become a medical assistant outside a high school diploma, the General Educational Development (GED) credential, and medical assistant training.
Yes, they do. An externship offers medical assistant students the opportunity to shadow experienced physicians and medical assistants and gain practical experience.
Medical assistants can work in various settings like hospitals, outpatient care centers, surgical hospitals, etc.
Conclusion
Medical office teams cannot function without medical assistants. With our list of trade schools for medical assistants
References
- niche.com – 2024 Best Colleges with Medical Assistant Degrees in America
- healthcarestudies.ng – 8 Diplomas Programs in Medical Assisting 2024
- bestaccreditedcolleges.org – Medical Assistant Trade Schools and Vocational Schools in the U.S.
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