HEALTHCARE

A Medical Assistant supports physicians and specialists by managing both administrative and clinical tasks. They handle patient records, schedule appointments, prepare equipment, and assist in medical exams. Medical Assistants may specialize in podiatry, dermatology, or cardiology, or focus on front-office responsibilities in clinics and hospitals. They ensure smooth operations by updating medical histories, coordinating lab tests, and maintaining sterile environments. Many pursue certification through the NHA, AAMA, or AMT to enhance their credentials and job prospects.

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What Could I Earn?

National median annual pay (2023) for medical assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows

How Do I Become A Medical Assistant?

Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant requires a combination of education, hands-on experience, and technical skill. These can typically be acquired through a trade school or vocational program, community college, or 4-year university, depending on the breadth of knowledge and experience required. A short curriculum may read as follows:

Anatomy, Physiology & Medical Terminology

Students will learn medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology for all major body systems. They will understand disease states, treatments, and medical vocabulary, including prefixes, suffixes, and root words. This knowledge will help them interpret medical records, communicate with healthcare professionals, and understand pathology and diagnostics.

Math, Pharmacology, & Lab Techniques

Students will develop essential math skills for healthcare, focusing on medication dosages, unit conversions, and metric system calculations. They will gain an introduction to pharmacology, covering drug classifications, administration routes, interactions, and the effects of medications. Hands-on lab training includes infection control, specimen handling, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory safety.

Clinical & Administrative Medical Assisting

Students will gain hands-on experience in patient care, infection control, vital signs, and electrocardiography. They will learn physical examination techniques, specimen collection, urinalysis, phlebotomy, and hematology. Administrative topics include patient scheduling, records management, medical law, ethics, insurance billing, and financial administration. They will also explore telehealth technologies and medical office operations.

Electronic Health Records & Technology

Students will become proficient in electronic health records (EHR) systems, medical documentation, insurance billing, and compliance with legal and privacy regulations. They will develop skills in managing patient data, financial records, and medical coding, preparing them for administrative roles in healthcare settings. Training includes Microsoft Word, Outlook, and computer navigation for healthcare use.

Professional & Career Development

Students will build career readiness skills, including resume writing, job search strategies, and interview techniques. They will refine job retention skills and prepare for transition from student to working professional in medical environments. Training emphasizes professional communication, workplace ethics, and real-world applications through mock interviews and externship preparation.

Externship, Internship & Early Experience

Students will apply their knowledge in a real-world healthcare setting, gaining hands-on experience in clinical procedures, medical administration, patient interactions, and electronic health records. This externship enhances practical skills, builds confidence, and prepares students for employment in medical offices, clinics, or hospitals.

Students learn medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology for all major body systems. Training covers disease states, treatments, and medical vocabulary for accurate communication.

Students gain hands-on experience in patient care, vital signs, and phlebotomy. Training covers medical law, ethics, records management, insurance billing, and telehealth operations.

Students become proficient in EHR systems, medical documentation, and billing. Training includes compliance, patient data management, medical coding, and healthcare technology.

Students develop healthcare math skills, focusing on dosages, unit conversions, and metrics. Training includes pharmacology, lab techniques, infection control, and diagnostics.

Students build career skills in resume writing, job searches, and interviewing. Training covers workplace ethics, professional communication, and externship preparation for medical roles.

Students gain real-world healthcare experience in clinical procedures, patient interactions, and medical administration, building confidence and skills for employment in the field.

What Could I Earn?

National median annual pay (2023) for medical assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows

$46,090

Outpatient care centers

$44,350

Hospitals; state, local, and private

$40,670

Offices of physicians

$36,480

Offices of other health practitioners