Medical assistants work directly with patients, assist physicians with routine medical exams, record vital signs and medical histories, and explain treatment procedures to patients and their families. The U.S. Department of Labor cites medical assisting as one of the fastest-growing career fields over the next decade, due, in part, to an increasing number of elderly patients who require frequent medical office visits.*
What Will You Study?
The curriculum for this program provides a well-rounded education. You will have an opportunity to master keyboarding, word processing, and medical office procedures. Clinical courses will focus on developing the skills you need to assist the physician in a medical office setting, such as:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Basic health insurance
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and electrocardiography
- Clinical procedures and therapeutic care
- Electronic transcription
- Medical coding and terminology
You will be required to complete an externship at an approved facility, which will give you an opportunity to gain real-world experience in the workplace.
Prepare for the Certification Exam
This curriculum is designed to help prepare you for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination sponsored by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).†
* 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.