Medical Assistant Programs: Degrees, Certificates & Training Options

Medical Assistant programs can be found in community colleges, vocational schools, and online. There are certificate and associate degree programs, as well as on-the-job training programs.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs typically take one year to complete and provide students with the basic skills needed to work as a medical assistant. Some certificate programs may also include clinical experience.

Associate Degree Programs

Associate degree programs typically take two years to complete and provide students with a more comprehensive education in medical assisting. Associate degree programs typically include more clinical experience than certificate programs.

On-the-Job Training Programs

On-the-job training programs typically last for one year and provide students with hands-on experience working in a medical office. On-the-job training programs may be offered by hospitals, clinics, or private medical offices.

Specific Courses

Some of the specific courses that you may take in a medical assistant program include:

* Anatomy and Physiology

* Medical Terminology

* Pharmacology

* Microbiology

* Patient Care

* Administrative Procedures

* Medical Coding and Billing

* Insurance Reimbursement

Clinical Experience

All medical assistant programs include some type of clinical experience. This experience allows students to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom to a real-world setting. Clinical experience may take place in hospitals, clinics, or private medical offices.

Licensing and Certification

Medical assistants are licensed or certified in most states. The requirements for licensure or certification vary from state to state, but typically include passing an exam and completing a certain number of hours of clinical experience.

Once you have completed a medical assistant program and obtained the necessary license or certification, you will be able to work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, private medical offices, and long-term care facilities.