4 Reliable Medical Assistant Training Programs

Provided by: EDSmart

A medical assistant’s career is an excellent choice for you if you are passionate about working amongst doctors, nurses, and patients, and are interested in a managerial position in healthcare. You will work with a physician to assist them in their day to day operations, entering and manipulation of patient data, insurance information processing, and clinical tasks like drawing blood, and EKG tests as the doctor requires. When selecting a suitable program, consider your availability for an online or classroom program and whether you can commit to a lengthy program. You can choose between a fast online medical assistant program (6-10 weeks), a traditional classroom setting or a hybrid course that integrates online and classroom setting. Below is a collection of programs set within the time spectrum to give you a general idea as you do your research:

1. Kentucky School of Phlebotomy

Kentucky seeks to quench the demand for Medical Assistants with competence in Phlebotomy through their CMA program. They offer an 11-week Certified Medical Assistant program where students interact with a lecturer twice a week for classes and laboratory work. After the eleven weeks, students with a grade B and above are eligible for a three-month externship in a clinic. Their tuition fees are $1,800 for the coursework and hands-on lab work and $200 for the optional externship. They prepare the students for the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant accreditation exam as soon as the training is over.

2. Laramie County Community College

Located in Wyoming, Laramie was started in 1968 and has grown to offer over 800 reputable degrees and certificates. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and provides a Medical Office Essentials Diploma. This diploma is designed for students wishing to rapidly join the workforce as it requires 12-29 credit hours to accomplish. It includes courses like Computer Software for Medical Office Professionals, Medical Terminology and Introduction to Healthcare Careers that prepare students for an administrative position in a healthcare facility.

3. Charter College

Charter is a private institution based in Anchorage, Alaska and has since grown to include campuses in California, Montana, New Mexico and Washington. They offer an online Medical Office Administrative Assistant and Medical Assistant Certificate, both of which take ten months. The former program prepares students for the front office operations of a physician's office, while the latter trains them to collect and prepare laboratory samples and other clinical procedures. Charter College students sit the National Center of Competency Testing exam sponsored by the school.

4. The College of Health Care Professionals

Since it’s opening in 1953 as the MacGregor Medical Association, it has gone on to offer popular training programs to date. It is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and provides a hybrid Medical Assisting Certificate for 49 semester hours. For the classrooms sessions, it has seven campuses across Texas and prepares its students for both front office and clinical procedures.

Conclusion

While choosing a Medical Assistant course, ensure that the school is accredited by a body approved by the Department of Education. For more information about the programs, mode of delivery and tuition fees, please visit the respective schools’ websites.