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Medical Assistant Schools and Training Programs
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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.gov); 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.gov 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.gov. 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.
Additional Information for Individuals Searching for a Medical Assistant School
Medical Assistant Career Information
Medical Office Administration Training Schools
Additional Resources for Medical Assistant Degree Prospects
American Association of Medical Assistants
American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistant
Campus and Online Medical Assistant Schools
- Fort Lauderdale
- AS in Health Science - Independent Duty Medical Technician
- AS in Health Science - Preventive Medicine (Military Only)
- BS in Heath and Wellness
- More
Kaplan University is focused on recognizing the achievements of military and veteran students and offers the flexibility of an online education.
- Fort Lauderdale
- Medical Assisting, AS (Online)
- Health Science, BS (Online)
- Long Beach
- Anaheim
- Ontario
- Los Angeles
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Dental Assisting
- More
American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California.
- Salida
- Milpitas
- Hayward
- Salinas
- Fresno
- San Francisco
- Concord
- Stockton
- Rancho Cordova
- Roseville
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Office Administration
- Pharmacy Technology
- More
Heald College provides hands-on educational programs that can help students prepare for careers in the healthcare, business, legal and technology fields.
- Chula Vista
- Medical Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Veterinary Technician
- More
Explore a new career with Pima Medical Institute.
- Torrance
- Anaheim
- Los Angeles
- Upland
- Denver
- Diploma - Medical Assisting
- Medical Office Management (A)
- Medical Insurance Coding and Billing (A)
- North Hollywood
- Medical Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Respiratory Therapy - (AS)
- More
At Concorde, you’ll find that a “learn by doing” approach to healthcare training will get you the skills you need to succeed-- and get you into the workforce quickly.
- San Leandro
- Pleasant Hill
- Antioch
- Sacramento
- Certificate in Medical Assisting
- AS in Medical Assisting
- AS in Dental Assisting
- More
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Dental Assistant
- More
- National City
- San Marcos
- San Diego
- Medical Specialties (AOS)
- Respiratory Therapy (BS)
- Respiratory Therapy (AS)
- San Diego
- Vista
- Bakersfield
- Clovis
- Diploma: Medical Assistant
- Diploma: Medical Office Specialist
- Diploma: Patient Care Assistant/Technician
- More
- Medical Assistant
- Administrative Medical Assistant
- Vocational Nursing
- Long Beach
- Oxnard
- Canyon Country
- Lancaster
- Diploma - Medical Assistant
- Certificate - Medical Assistant
- AS - Medical Office Administration: Concentration in Medical Assistant
- More
You can prepare for a new career with help from Charter College.
- Palm Desert
- Bakersfield
- Visalia
- Clovis
- Medical Assisting
- Administrative Medical Assistant
- Registered Dental Assistant
- Clovis
- Modesto
- Citrus Heights
- Redding
- Professional Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Medical Billing/Coding Specialist
- More
You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology.
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.iot.edu/disclosure
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