what kind of course work is required for medical assistant

by Dr. Deon Thiel 7 min read

  • Anatomy and Physiology. Anatomy and physiology is a course taken by medical assistant students that teaches them about the human body’s systems.
  • Medical Terminology. A medical terminology course teaches students medical terms used when communicating about patients, treatments, medications, procedures and medical conditions.
  • Pharmacology. Pharmacology covers information pertaining to medications. Students enrolled in a MA training program are taught how medications and other drugs affect the body.
  • Phlebotomy. A phlebotomy course provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to perform blood draws. ...
  • Basic Surgical Assisting. A basic surgical assisting course educates MA students about equipment used during surgery and other procedures or treatments.
  • Patient Care. Classes that pertain to patient care are also included within a medical assistant training program. Techniques for performing direct patient care are taught to students.
  • Clinical Courses. A clinical course refers to clinical time, which gives students the opportunity to work with real patients and doctors in real health care settings.
  • Office Administration. An office administration course teaches students the clerical skills necessary to work as a medical assistant.

These classes typically include subjects like anatomy and physiology, medical coding, clinical procedures, medical law and ethics, medical office safety, and more. The goal of both associate degree and diploma programs is to equip students with the necessary skillset to thrive as a Medical Assistant.Dec 15, 2021

What jobs can you get with a medical assistant?

Specific Career Options and Duties

  • Medical Coder
  • Medical Transcriptionist
  • Physicians' Office Assistant
  • Health Information Administrator
  • Records Clerk
  • Admissions Clerk
  • Billing and Insurance Specialist

What are the educational requirements for a medical assistant?

Typical courses found within a medical assistant training program include:

  • Medical law and bioethics
  • Medical terminology
  • Pharmacology
  • Diseases of the human body
  • Medical coding and insurance
  • Human anatomy and physiology
  • Medical office management

What are the best medical assistant schools?

Which are the 10 Best Medical Assistant Programs in California for 2021?

  1. San Joaquin Valley College, Visalia. San Joaquin Valley College has been offering career training in California for the past 40 years. ...
  2. Carrington College, Citrus Heights, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro & Stockton. ...
  3. American Career College, Anaheim, Los Angeles & Ontario. ...

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What colleges offer medical assistant programs?

  • Medical terminology
  • Business and medical communications
  • Patient relations
  • Fundamentals of health care operations
  • Health care policies and government regulations
  • Ethics and standards of conduct for health care professionals
  • Medical recordkeeping and filing procedures
  • Scheduling and planning systems
  • Medical office software

What is medical assisting?

The medical assisting programs train potential MAs to excel in administrative and clinical duties. The heavy coursework of the program covers various subjects such as medical terminology, physiology, medical laws, and ethics, to educate these professionals about their respective professions.

What is pathology course?

Human diseases and pathology course provides information about human conditions, their diagnosis, and treatment procedures. Medical assistants get to understand diseases, treatments, signs and symptoms, and diagnostic procedures upon completion of the course.

What is medical ethics?

Medical laws and ethics is a course that is concerned with the responsibilities of medical professionals. The subject informs MAs about patient rights, confidentiality, HIPPA, licensure, and registration of medical professionals. The course revolves around laws and policies in a medical workplace.

What is pharmacology in medical school?

Pharmacology is a branch of medicine that deals with medications, drugs, and their properties. Medical assistants learn pharmacology as their core curriculum subject to understand the uses of different medications, their side effects, nature, and to determine the proper dosage methods and drug therapy.

What is anatomy and physiology?

Anatomy and physiology of a human body is a study of the structures and functions of different organs and body parts. By acquiring knowledge about the subject, medical assistants get to understand human biology thoroughly. This course also helps MAs to understand the causes of diseases and the requirements of certain procedures.

How do I become a medical assistant?

Generally speaking, to become a medical assistant, you will need a certain amount of post-secondary education after getting your high school diploma. Usually, these courses are delivered at community colleges or vocation schools.

How much does a medical assistant make?

According to the <a href=”http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm”>U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, the median annual salary for a medical assistant is $28,300.

How long does it take to get an associates degree?

An associate degree, on the other hand, usually takes two years to complete. Both programs offer comprehensive education in relevant topics, such as physiology, anatomy, insurance processing, medical transcription, medical terminology and first aid. Different schools offer different curricula, often focusing on a specific field of medical assisting.

What do you do with an associates degree in clinical?

There will be a few clinical duties as well. For instance, you may have to collect specimens and you will take and record the vital signs of your patients for their records. If you hold an associate’s degree, on the other hand, you will be able to do all of that and more.

What does it mean to have an associates degree?

Additionally, holding an associate’s degree means you will be in greater demand. You will have an edge over the others who only have a certificate. Indeed, some jobs are not even open to someone who only has a certificate.

Is it easier to get a nursing certificate or associates degree?

The certificate is quicker and easier to obtain. However, if you hold an associate’s degree, you would be able to study towards a bachelor of science in nursing or some other more advanced degree in the future.

What is a medical assistant?

Medical assistants (MA) are trained medical professionals who work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and clinics. They assist with patient care and assessment, perform treatments and administer medications. They also provide assistance to doctors and other health care professionals. Most MA go through a medical assisting training program offered by ...

What is physiology in medical school?

Physiology teaches them about how and why the body systems work. This course gives students the information needed to understand how, when and why some patient care, treatments and procedures are necessary. It also helps to explain how certain treatments, procedures and care affects patients. Sponsored Listings.

What is anatomy and physiology?

Anatomy and physiology is a course taken by medical assistant students that teaches them about the human body’s systems. Anatomy educates MA students about the parts and structures that make up the human body. Physiology teaches them about how and why the body systems work. This course gives students the information needed to understand how, ...

How long does it take to become a medical assistant?

These programs, which are most often in the form of a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree, are typically between 10 months and 2 years in length and are offered through junior colleges, vocational-technical schools, ...

What training is required for medical assistants in California?

For example, the Medical Board of California requires medical assistants in California to undergo training before they can administer medication by intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections or perform venipuncture or skin punctures.

What is a medical assistant?

Medical assistants, as important healthcare support professionals in ambulatory clinics, physician offices, and similar settings, are tasked with a host of responsibilities, both clinical and administrative in nature. As such, these healthcare professionals must meet specific employment requirements to ensure that they can perform the job ...

Do medical assistants need a national certification?

Although national certification is not a requirement across the board for medical assistants, many find that holding a national credential expands their career options. Further, some states require medical assistants who perform specific medical tasks to hold some type of nationally recognized credential.

The Basic Tasks and Roles Expected of Medical Assistants

Build and maintain relationships with patients. Medical assistants may work in a variety of healthcare locations such as physicians' offices, hospitals, and outpatient care center.

Specializations & How Medical Assistants Fit into Medical Facilities

Medical assistants play a vital organizing role within medical facilities. They are the grease that enables doctors and registered nurses to operate smoothly while also providing that friendly face so many healthcare facilities are desperately in need of.

Getting the Right Education and Training to Become a Medical Assistant

Do you want to become a medical assistant? If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Science with a Concentration in Medical Assisting, ECPI University offers this degree at an accelerated pace. For more information about this exciting program, connect with a helpful admissions officer today.

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What Is a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants usually take medical histories and vitals from patients. They may assist in more advanced ways like drawing blood and providing first aid as their skills advance. You may also handle important administrative, clerical and clinical tasks as you learn more on the job.

Is This a Good Career Path?

It can be for many people. Medical Assistants are in great demand. This professional career is growing 18% over the next 10 years, which is much faster than others.

How Do You Become a Medical Assistant?

The answer to this question varies. But there are numerous steps you can take to improve employment opportunities.

What Education Does a Medical Assistant Need?

There are essentially three types of voluntary medical assistant certification:

How to Get Recertified

Recertification requirements are slightly different from the CMA vs. the CCMA.

What If You Let Your Certification Lapse?

It would help if you always tried to complete all of your requirements well in advance of the deadline to avoid a lapse in your certificate. If it does lapse, you’ll owe a reinstatement fee, which is typically around $100 on top of your recertification fee, which runs around $200-300 dollars.

How to Obtain CEU the Easy Way

When you first get certified, two years or five years seems so far away. But it will quickly sneak up on you. So you need a plan to get as many CEU as possible as early as possible.

What education do I need to become a medical assistant?

Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is no formal education or training requirements to work as a medical assistant. All you need is a high school diploma or GED. However, it is best to enroll in a program in order to advance in this career.

How long do you have to work to become a medical assistant?

You will help an experienced medical assistant or other medical professionals with daily tasks that will earn you a grade upon completion. You must work (without pay) at least 160 hours before you can take your final exam.

How many hours do you need to be a medical assistant?

Graduation within the last 4 years from a medical assisting training program accredited by the US Department of Education with a minimum of 720 total program clock hours and at least 160 clinical externship hours. 2.

How long do you have to be a medical assistant?

3. Work experience as a Medical Assistant for at least 5 out of the last 7 years and with no more than 2 years of that experience as a Medical Assisting Instructor. Proof of a current CPR card is also required.

What is the certification for medical assistants?

There are 2 main certifying entities in the United States for Medical Assistants. These are the AMT (American Medical Technologists) and AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants). After completing your education as a medical assistant and you qualify for national certification as a Medical Assistant, both organizations require successful ...

How many hours of CE is required for AMT?

Each course is usually one hour in length and has 1 hour of continuing education (CE) credit. All courses end with a comprehensive quiz that requires a passing score in order to obtain credit. Credit can only be claimed once for each course. All CE courses are offered at a discount for AMT members.

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Anatomy and Physiology

Medical Terminology

Pharmacology

Phlebotomy

Basic Surgical Assisting

Patient Care

Clinical Courses

Office Administration

  • An office administration course teaches students the clerical skills necessary to work as a medical assistant. It teaches MA students how to successfully manage a doctor’s office. Through this course they learn various computer software used in health care.MA students are shown how to manage a patient and office schedule. They are taught the import...
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Education Requirements

  • The educational requirement for aspiring medical assistants is a postsecondary non-degree award, such as an associate’s degree or diploma. The duration of these programs can range from 6 to 24 months, with the most common option being the 2-year program, and are offered through junior colleges, vocational-technical schools, and traditional campus-b...
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Certification Requirements

State Requirements

Job Requirements

Licensure Requirements For A Medical Assistant

Why Choose to Be A Medical Assistant?

How to Get Recertified as A Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant Job Growth, Prospects, and Outlook