In order to enter a medical assisting career, you’ll want to find the best medical assistant school to fit your needs. Medical assistant schools offer formal educational training for careers in medical assisting. Just about anywhere you live; there is a medical assistant school nearby. Students can choose from various institutions, such as postsecondary vocational schools, community colleges and junior colleges, where they can earn a certificate or diploma in about 1 year, or earn an associate degree in 2 years of schooling. While much of medical assistants’ training occurs on the job, most employers still prefer that their assistants have formal college training. With that being said, it is just as important that your medical assistant school is accredited and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Currently, only two accrediting agencies are recognized by the Department of Education: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accreditating Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are approximately 700 accredited medical assisting programs available across the nation. To verify that your medical assistant school is accredited, you can view the USDE’s institutional database that lists accredited schools and government-recognized accrediting agencies.
While programs may vary by state, most medical assistant students will take classes in basic sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, as well as some math or elective courses, like keyboarding, accounting or insurance processing to aid in future administrative tasks. They will also gain hands-on experience in laboratory classes, where students get to perform clinical and diagnostic procedures, such as administering medications, first aid and conducting experiments. Medical assistant students study medical law, such as malpractice liability and learn ways to avoid such scenarios, as well as patient relations and medical ethics in record keeping and humane treatment of patients. A big part of a medical assisting education is establishing the role of medical assistant and providing the best patient care possible. They learn about the intricacies of communication, including the way they observe, listen and speak with patients. In addition, they will study their role as a liaison between busy physicians and fearful patients. As their roles continue to change and expand within the health care industry, medical assistants are likely to learn more advanced clinical and administrative skills in years to come.