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
According to the statistics of US Labor Deportment, the earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual earnings of medical assistants were $23,940 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,260 and $28,410. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $34,130.
Job Outlook
According to the statistics of US Labor Deportment, Medical assistants held about 365,000 jobs in 2002. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012 as the health services industry expands because of technological advances in medicine, and a growing and aging population. Increasing utilization of medical assistants in the rapidly growing healthcare industries will result in fast employment growth for the occupation. In fact, a medical assistant is projected to be the fastest growing occupation over the 2002-12 periods.
Employment growth will be driven by the increase in the number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities that need a high proportion of support personnel, particularly the flexible medical assistant who can handle both administrative and clinical duties. Medical assistants work primarily in outpatient settings, which are expected to exhibit much faster-than-average growth.
In view of the preference of many healthcare employers for trained personnel, job prospects should be best for medical assistants with formal training or experience, and particularly for those with certifications.
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