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Medical Assistant Schools and Training Programs
Medical assistants work with physicians, chiropractors, and other health-care professionals, assisting them with clinical and administrative duties. While they may have received some training in medical procedures, they do not diagnose illness or prescribe treatments.
Medical Assistant Careers
About 62 percent of medical assistants worked in physicians’ offices in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); 13 percent worked in public and private hospitals, including inpatient and outpatient facilities; and 11 percent worked in offices of other health practitioners, such as chiropractors and optometrists. Most of the remainder worked in other healthcare industries, such as outpatient care centers and nursing and residential care facilities. Most medical assistants work a standard 40-hour week, although there are some part-time positions available.
Types of medical assistants
Administrative medical assistants update and file patients' medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. Like administrative assistants in non-medical settings, they also answer telephones, schedule appointments and handle billing and bookkeeping.
Clinical medical assistants are regulated by state law, so their duties may vary. However, those duties may include taking medical histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examinations and assisting physicians during examinations. They may also collect and prepare laboratory specimens, and even perform basic lab tests. Clinical medical assistants also might be responsible for purchasing and maintaining examination room supplies and equipment.
Certain physicians require specialized medical assistants. Eye doctors use ophthalmic medical assistants to conduct vision tests, apply dressings and teach patients to use contact lenses. Podiatric medical assistants take x-rays, make foot castings and assist podiatrists in surgery.
Medical Assistant Employment and Advancement Opportunities
Because of the aging of the population and advancements in medical technology, medical assisting has become one of the fastest growing occupations. The BLS projects 34 percent employment growth between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than average.
Driving this job growth is the increasing prevalence of conditions such as obesity and diabetes, putting a greater burden on physicians and the healthcare system in general. In addition, the industry has seen a rise in group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities that need a high proportion of support personnel, particularly medical assistants who can handle both administrative and clinical duties.
Earnings and Advancement Potential
As with almost any career, earnings of medical assistants vary based on location and job experience. The average annual wage of a medical assistant was $29,760 in 2010, according to the BLS. Earnings tend to be highest in physicians’ offices and clinics.
Experienced medical assistants may advance their careers to office management or support positions. Medical assisting, combined with additional training, can also lead to other healthcare careers, such as medical technology or nursing.
Next Medical assistant training and education
Additional Resources
American Association of Medical Assistants: Professional organization that offers educational resources and networking to medical assistant workers. www.aama-ntl.org
American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistant: Professional organization dedicated specifically to Podiatric medical assistants. www.aspma.org
Vatterott College
- Advanced Medical Assistant
- Medical Assistant AAS
- Medical Assistant Occupational Specialist
- More
Remington College
- AAS in Clinical Medical Assisting
- Diploma in Medical Assisting
- Diploma in Medical Laboratory Assisting
- More
Concorde
- Medical Assisting - (AAS)
- Medical Assistant - Diploma
- Medical Assistant
- More
Allied Health Institute
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Assistant
Westwood College
- Diploma - Medical Assisting
- Associate Degree - Medical Assisting
- Associate Degree - Medical Assisting I
Westwood College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to providing quality, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to launch, enhance, or change careers.
Keiser University
- Fort Lauderdale
- Medical Assisting, AS
Medical Career Institute
- Medical Assisting - Associate
- Dental Assisting - Associate
Northwestern College
- Bridgeview
- Chicago
- Naperville
- Medical Assisting
Heald College
- Medical Assisting
- Dental Assisting
Illinois School of Health Careers
- Chicago
- Medical Assistant
- Patient Care Technician
- Dental Assistant
Carrington College California
- Antioch
- Citrus Heights
- Emeryville
- Pleasant Hill
- Sacramento
- San Jose
- San Leandro
- Stockton
- Pomona
- AS in Medical Assisting
- Certificate in Medical Assisting
- AS in Dental Assisting
- More
Everest College
- Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting
- Diploma - Medical Assisting
- Diploma - Dental Assisting
- More
Kaplan College - KHE
- Associate of Applied Science: Medical Assistant
- Diploma: Medical Assistant
- Diploma: Patient Care Technician
- More
Career Colleges of America
- Medical Assistant
- Nurse Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- More
Keiser University Campus
- Medical Assisting, AS
- Respiratory Therapy, AS
- Occupational Therapy Assistant, AS
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