Medical Assistant Schools

With an increasingly aging population and diseases like diabetes, blood pressure and kidney and heart diseases, the demand for medical assistants is dramatically increasing. More and more hospitals, private practices and healthcare centers require medical assistants. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical assistants is expected to increase by 31% within the 2010-2020 period, a much higher rate than the industry average.

A medical assistant is someone who assists a medical practitioner and handles tasks such as managing the medical practitioner's appointments, scheduling, administering office, bookkeeping, updating medical and patient records, taking patient history, managing medical supplies, checking patient's vital signs, running laboratory tests and at times handling billing and insurance as well.

About Medical Assistant Schools

There are numerous Medical Assistant Schools offering various degree programs with specializations for students wishing to take up medical assistance studies for further education

The Medical Assistant Schools offer degree programs accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Students completing their degrees from these Medical Assisting Schools are eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistant's certification exam. Most of these Schools offer their degree programs online for those who cannot take up campus-based education. Online Medical Assistant Programs can be completed at a pace that suits the applicant and at a cost much less as compared to traditional schooling.

Medical Assisting Schools offer plenty of specialization areas such as:

Clinical Medical Assistant
Administrative Medical Assistant
Medical Office Procedures
Medical Office Specialist
Medical Laboratory Assistant.

These areas of specialization can be pursued in the form of a diploma, certificate, associate, bachelor or a master's degree. These degree programs may have a variable duration for completion, depending on the type of degree and offer a diverse combination of theoretical coursework, along with first-hand practical experience in the form of internship. Medical Assisting Schools incorporate a wide variety of courses to develop an in-depth understanding. These courses include subjects like medical terminology, bookkeeping, pharmacology, introduction to computers and medical databases.

Online Medical Assistant Schools enable students to develop a comprehensive knowledge base, acquire technical skills and administrative techniques to have the required competitive edge in the job market.

Career Prospects

Upon graduating from an accredited campus based or an online Medical Assistant School, the chances can increase of becoming a medical assistant. The BLS states that such professionals earned a median annual salary of $29,960 in May 2014. Graduates can potentially take up various employment opportunities some of which are mentioned below:

Dental Assistant
Medical Transcriptionist
Occupational Therapist Assistant
Medical Equipment Technician
Home Health Aide
Nursing Attendant
Physical Therapist Assistant
Medical Laboratory Assistant
Medical Office Assistant

How long does it take to complete a Medical Assistant School?

It would typically take you around 2 years to complete a medical assistant school. Programs in medical assisting are offered at community colleges or vocational schools. If you do not want to attend a 2-year long program, you can also go for a certificate or a diploma program that can take up to a year to complete. These are also offered through technical schools or community colleges.

What are the requirements to complete a Medical Assistant School?

To complete a medical assistant school, you will need to clear certain coursework. This would include general education requirements such as math and English, along with professional courses in anatomy, healthcare law and medical terminology. Upon completion of a medical assistant school and getting the required experience, you may be eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) certification exam.

How much can I make after completing a Medical Assistant School?

Medical assistants made an annual median income of $33,610 in 2018 as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top paying industry for these professionals was outpatient care centers, which paid an annual median wage of $35,600 in 2018. The top paying states for medical assistants were Alaska ($45,490), District of Columbia ($42,010) and Washington ($41,340).

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:Can you tell me how to become a medical assistant?

A:There are several academic paths to becoming a medical assistant. All states require at least a high school diploma or equivalent for this occupation. You may become a medical assistant by completing a post-secondary education program such as a diploma or a certificate in medical assisting. Another option is enrolling into a two year associate's degree in medical assisting. You may also learn through on-the-job training right after high school. Employment requirements vary by state, city, employer and facility. (Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Q:If I enroll in medical assistant schools online, how will I acquire practical training online?

A:Medical assistant programs online can provide you with theory based knowledge through interactive online lectures, conference classroom settings, video lectures, and multimedia presentations. But for the practical part of the course, you will have to take a few classes at the campus. It is necessary that you develop skills for this field.

Q:What are the contents of the course on Medical Terminology & Records in the Medical Assistant schools in San Antonio?

A:The Medical Assistant Schools in San Antonio have dedicated course on Medical Terminology & Records. This course is of 3 credit in total. It is designed to offer the students with significant info on the formations of the various medical terms and how the abbreviations are used in the healthcare environment.

Q:What are the contents of the course on Information Management in the Medical Assistant schools in Philadelphia?

A:The Medical Assistant schools in Philadelphia have dedicated course on Information Management. This course is designed to offer the students ways in which they can effectively store and protect the medical data. You are also trained on how to make the data and the information more accessible when and where needed.

Q:What is taught in Healthcare Marketing course of the Medical Assistant schools in Orlando FL?

A:The Medical Assistant Schools in Orlando FL have a dedicated course on Healthcare Marketing. This course is of around 3 credits in total. It is designed to offer the students with ample understanding of the critical marketing decisions that are needed to be made in a healthcare environment. Students are trained on how to market their services.

Q:What are the contents of the course on Healthcare Accounting in the Medical Assistant schools in Nashville TN?

A:The Medical Assistant schools in Nashville TN have a specified course on Healthcare Accounting. This course is usually of around 3 credits in total. The aim of this course is to teach students the data of accounting can be integrated in process of decision making in a healthcare environment. Procedures and concepts of the managerial accounting are also highlighted.

Q:What are the contents of the course on Health Care Security in the Medical Assistant schools in Charlotte NC?

A:The Medical Assistant Schools in Charlotte NC have a specialized course on Health Care Security.This course is worth 4 credits in total. The major aim of this course is to teach the students the ways in which property and people can be protected in a health care environment. This course also highlights on the social responsibilities in a health care system.

Q:As I read on the cost medical assistant school programs, there was mention of the course on Thinking & Intelligence. What are the contents of this course?

A:Many articles on Cost Medical Assistant school programs highlight on the courses of Thinking & Intelligence. This course is worth 4 credits in total and stresses on making the students understand the idea of thoughts and application of what we all know. It highlights on rationality in reasoning and also focuses on the barriers that may be coming in the way.

Q:What are the names of some of the institutions offering medical assistant programs in Chicago?

A:Institutions offering medical assistant programs in Chicago are Northwestern College and Westwood College. Prospective students are recommended to have a look into online medical schools which have the same comprehensive curriculum and are relatively inexpensive. Students are advised to search our website for a list of institutions offering this qualification online.

Q:How are online schools for Medical Assistant any different from normal ones?

A:Online schools for Medical Assistant give students an opportunity to study the course at their convenience. With the same comprehensive curriculum, it allows students to completely understand the subject without rushing through the coursework. Online schools are relatively cheaper as they save students money in regards to accommodation and traveling. Prospective students are advised to search through our website for a list of accredited institutions.

Q:Can you name some of the highest ranked Medical Assistant schools in Maryland?

A:The profession of medical assistants is on the rise with a growing demand for qualified individuals. The state of Maryland has a number of accredited medical assistant schools. Highest ranked include: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences at F Hebert School of Medicine, John Hopkins University, Grand Canyon University, Westwood College,TESST College of Technology, Harris School, and Kaplan Institute.

Q:What is the task of Medical Transcriptionist in the careers after the Medical Assistant Schools and Programs?

A:Upon completion of degree from Medical Assistant schools and programs of such type, you can work as a Medical Transcriptionist. This individual is responsible for all the dealings regarding the medical transcript. Students have to write the transcript as well as review it. If the students choose to be is in the pharmacy department, they have to also go through the transcript to perform proper protocol and not allow patients to get harmful medicines that are not required for them and maybe abused.

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