How Much School Is Needed to Be a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants are trained professionals who offer assistance and support to doctors and family practitioners in health clinics or hospitals. Medical assistants have extensive backgrounds and training in the medical field along with strong academic backgrounds in theory and administration. The schooling for medical assistants starts in high school and continues into a postsecondary degree program and finishes with a medical assistant certification.
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High School Diploma
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Students aspiring to become medical assistants need to start planning during theIr high school years as some courses are needed to be accepted to postsecondary programs in the field. These high school courses include math, biology, chemistry and human health classes. These should be taken each year in high school. Additional courses include keyboarding, computer science, business administration and introductory courses to law.
Postsecondary Education
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Once the student has graduated from high school, she must enter a postsecondary degree program in medical assistance. This degree program often lasts three to four years and provides the student with the theoretical information and some practical training needed to become a successful medical assistant. Courses include theoretical health information, human anatomy, physiology, medical procedures, first aid, medical terminology and medical practices in the workplace or clinic. Other courses include office administration, customer care, receptionist procedures, accounting and typing, since the medical assistant will be performing administrative tasks in the clinic. The medical assistant will also be introduced to medical laws and regulations that apply to her state.
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Internships or Practical Experience
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During a postsecondary degree program, the student should complete an internship or an apprenticeship to gain practical work experience. Many employers seek medical assistants with practical work experience. Also, practical work experience can help medical assistants pass the examination required to obtain the certification many employers also seek. Practical training can come in the form of internships at local clinics or hospitals or through part-time work as medical assistants in the same environments.
Certification
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Medical assistant certification proves a candidate has obtained a standard of knowledge within the field. Certification can be gained through testing at the Association of Medical Technologists (AMT). Another association that provides certification is the accredited American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Those who prefer to gain certification online can do so through an accredited certification program. These programs can be found on an online database through the U.S. Department of Education.
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References
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