Medical Assistant Guide

This program may be completed at QCC at the Healthcare and Workforce Development Center in downtown Worcester. Administrative duties may include tasks such as scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, handling telephone calls and written correspondence, medical transcription, completing and submitting insurance claims and maintaining practice finances.

The role of a Clinical Medical Assistant is one that emphasizes the clinical portion of a medical practice; regular tasks may include taking patients' vitals, recording information regarding patient medical history, and administering prescribed medications.

The certificate can be obtained by completing a medical assistant diploma program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools , and then by completing the certified medical assistant (CMA) certification examination.

For example, medical terminology courses educate students and prepare them to interpret and apply the medical words, definitions, and abbreviations commonly used in the workplace; while anatomy courses teach the students about the structure of the human body.

The medical administrative assistant (AAS) program provides graduates essential medical administration skills such as transcribing, word processing, and insurance coding. In addition to this training, some community colleges and technology schools also offer externship training.

Medical assistants provide a broad range of administrative and clinical duties. MTI's Medical Assisting Program instructors have real-world experience in the field, and help students build these skills through hands-on instruction and interaction. Degree in hand, medical assistants can then be qualified for CMA (AAMA) or other certification, and be designated by the American Association of Medical Assistants as a Certified Medical Assistant.

Western Technical College has a strong retention rate of 61 percent, and it's likely due in part to their interactive, hands-on classes and internships that get students the necessary skill set to work in a medical assisting position. There are one-year certificate or diploma programs or two-year associate degree programs available at vocational schools, junior colleges or community colleges.

Train for an exciting and high demand career as a Medical Assistant. With six campuses around the North Carolina and online, GTCC is the third largest institution in the North Carolina Community College System and provides students with a wealth of resources.

Clicking in this box will show you programs related to your search from schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other information published on this site. The Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs ( ) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Communicate and collaborate professionally and effectively with patients, healthcare team, and third party providers in diverse environments. Students can choose from two separate CAAHEP accredited medical assisting programs: a two-year, 95 semester credit Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting (A.A.S.) or a one-year, 75 semester credit Medical Assistant Certificate program.

During medical assistant classes, students will study physiology, patient care, sterilization techniques, and basic pharmacology. Medical assistants with training in electronic health records and who are certified may have better job opportunities. Luckily, the medical field is full of careers and jobs, all of which vary in terms of the years you'll need to study them.