| Medical assistants are in high demand due to a rapidly | | | | studies in Biology, math, bookkeeping, typing, computers |
| expanding healthcare industry. In fact, the profession is | | | | and clerical skills may find it easier to navigate the |
| projected to be one of the fastest growing careers in | | | | medical assistant course structure. The two distinct |
| the coming decade. Most of the medical assistants are | | | | types of subjects taught pertain to medical issues and |
| hired directly by the physicians whereas the rest, | | | | clerical work. Medical courses shed light on courses |
| approximately 30 percent, either work in the hospitals | | | | such as first aid procedures, human anatomy, medical |
| or assist various other health practitioners including | | | | terminology, medical laws and physiology, while |
| Chiropractors, Pediatrics and Optometrists. In 2006, | | | | administrative education involves record keeping, |
| United States employed nearly 418,000 medical | | | | patient relations, medicinal subscription and basic |
| assistants. The job growth is set to increase by 35%, | | | | accounting. A graduate of these courses may also be |
| in the next eight years, translating into another 150,000 | | | | trained in procedures such as taking blood, giving |
| new vacancies. | | | | medications, performing X-rays, conducting laboratory |
| Education While working under a physician, many | | | | tests and assisting physicians with physical checkups. |
| medical assistants could easily acquaint themselves | | | | For an advanced specialization a clinical experience |
| with the basic techniques. It is not a preferred method, | | | | may exceed 200 hours. Before any clinical experience, |
| anymore. Now, most physicians prefer medical | | | | candidates are required to show proof of good health, |
| assistants with at least a high school certificate and | | | | immunizations, drugs, health insurance coverage and |
| preferably a specialized diploma or an associate | | | | even a criminal background test. Job Placement |
| degree. Serious candidates always get at least a one | | | | Most of the schools have some sort of job placement |
| year diploma or a specialized course. Few even | | | | assistance but fresh graduates are able to find work |
| acquire an associate degree, lasting two years. While | | | | on their own. It is also a good idea to talk to medical |
| there is no pre-requisite to gain entry into any of these | | | | recruitment agency which can utilize their extensive |
| programs, certain advanced short courses may | | | | social network to locate a well paying job. Due to a |
| require licensing. These specialized courses include | | | | very high demand, the job placement success rate is |
| specific knowledge regarding eye care, cast making | | | | relatively higher then many other professions. A |
| and surgery assistance. | | | | medical assistant can earn between $20,000 and |
| Training Training is provided by vocational technical high | | | | $30,000 thousand annually depending upon specific |
| schools, vocational post secondary institutes and to a | | | | training, and locality. The opportunities to transfer to |
| lesser extent by community colleges. The two well | | | | other health care fields are always good for medical |
| recognized accrediting health bodies are The | | | | assistant. The kind people interested in Medical |
| Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education | | | | Assisting varies but it is certainly a field of work that is |
| Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of | | | | in high demand, as well as rewarding. The health care |
| Health Education Schools (ABHES). According to a | | | | field is growing by leaps and bounds creating openings |
| recent survey, there are more than 400 institutions in | | | | for many types of health care professionals, this |
| USA who are officially evaluated by these two | | | | includes Medical Assisting personnel, as they are |
| organizations. | | | | necessity to the overall medical community. |
| Cost The basic cost of a specialized degree ranges | | | | Being a Medical Assistant is a career to look forward |
| from $5000 to $8000. Like any other medical degree, | | | | to, a career to be proud of. Over the years the field |
| the additional costs associated with medical books, | | | | has grown and as the demand increases so will the |
| laboratory equipment and related lab fee can easily | | | | requirements, now is a ground floor opportunity to gain |
| increase the total to exceed $10,000. While evaluating | | | | a wonderful career. The requirement goals are |
| the costs, it is generally recommended that candidates | | | | reachable for any socioeconomic bracket, and the pay |
| review the entire fee structure as Institutions often ask | | | | is an opportunity to support any future goal you might |
| for supplementary fee not listed in the prospectus. | | | | decide upon. Being a Medical Assistant is a career to |
| Course Outline Candidates with initial high school | | | | look forward to, and definitely career to be proud of. |