Program Description
A Medical Assistant performs duties under the direction of a doctor in private or group practices, clinics, and other medical facilities. The duties include: preparing patients and examining rooms, instruments, equipment, and supplies.
The Medical Assistant may interview patients; take chart histories, vital signs; administer injections; assist during exams, minor surgeries, and perform laboratory procedures such as EKGs and basic Phlebotomy.
The Medical Assistant program will prepare graduates to work as medical assistant and perform duties under the direction of physicians or RN's working in private clinics or hospitals.
Program Outline
Module 1: Skeleton, Muscular, Nervous Systems. Vital signs, shots, blood pressure.
Module 2: Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive Systems. Vital signs, shots, blood pressure
Module 3: Endocrine, Immune Systems, Senses. Vital signs, shots, blood pressure
Module 4: Administrative Procedures (Medical Billing & Insurances) Vital signs, shots, blood pressure
Module 5: Clinical Medical Assistant. Vital signs, shots, blood pressure, EKGs, blood draws
Module 6: Clinical Education - Internship
Earnings
The earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual wages of wage-and-salary medical assistants were $28,300 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,700 and $33,050. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $39,570.
Job Outlook
Employment change. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 34 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the healthcare industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population, there will be an increased need for all healthcare workers. The increasing prevalence of certain conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, also will increase demand for healthcare services and medical assistants. Increasing use of medical assistants to allow doctors to care for more patients will further stimulate job growth.
Helping to drive job growth is the increasing number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities that need a high proportion of support personnel, particularly medical assistants who can handle both administrative and clinical duties. In addition, medical assistants work mostly in primary care, a consistently growing sector of the healthcare industry.
Job Prospects
Jobseekers who want to work as a medical assistant should find excellent job prospects. Medical assistants are projected to account for a very large number of new jobs, and many other opportunities will come from the need to replace workers leaving the occupation. Medical assistants with formal training or experience - particularly those with certification - should have the best job opportunities, since employers generally prefer to hire these workers.
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