Becoming a medical assistant is an excellent way to get started on a new career in the growing health care industry. Medical assistants help physicians and other health care professionals with routine medical exams, recording vital signs and medical histories, and explaining treatment procedures to patients and their families. The U.S. Department of Labor cites medical assisting as one of the fastest-growing careers over the next decade, due, in part, to an increasing number of elderly patients who require frequent medical office visits.*
Education for the Real World
The health care industry is competitive, so you need education and training to help you stand out. At Kaplan Career Institute, we offer the professional education and hands-on experience that can help you become a medical assistant. Our curriculum covers health care topics such as:
- Hematology and phlebotomy with emphasis on OSHA guidelines
- Office emergencies and minor office surgery
- Pharmacology, including injections, prescriptions, methods of administration, and dose calculation
- Record management and ethics, with emphasis on triage in clinical settings
- Specimen collection and analysis
In addition to courses in health care, you will have the opportunity to learn word processing and other valuable computer skills that can give you an edge when applying for jobs in this competitive field.
Real-World Externship Experience
Kaplan Career Institute emphasizes hands-on training and experiences that help prepare you for entry-level employment upon graduation. Prior to graduation, you will be required to complete an externship at a local clinic, physician's office, hospital, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), or other allied health facility. The externship program allows you to interact with medical professionals and gain the experience employers demand.
Prepare for Certification Exams
This program is designed to help prepare you for the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam sponsored by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam sponsored by American Medical Technologists (AMT).†
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006–2007 Edition.
† However, the Institute cannot guarantee a student's eligibility either to take this exam or become certified. A student's eligibility may depend on his or her work experience, completion of high school (or its equivalent), not having a criminal record, meeting other licensure or certification requirements, or the program or Institute itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure. Externship sites may themselves require a criminal background check or medical examination.