The career of a medical assistant is part of the ever-growing healthcare industry which continues to see shortages in just about every area. Although the shortage of medical assistants is not as acute as that of nurses and doctors, they are still in high demand all over the country. Those interested in an entry-level position in the medical field should consider beginning their career as a medical assistant. But to do so you'll need training and state certification.
The type of training you look for will depend on what level of medical assistant you want to be. But regardless, you can get your training through an online program or by attending a local college or vocational training center. Opportunities are aplenty in most mid-size and large cities. Rural areas may be a bit more challenging in regards to finding local courses, but students living in those areas can certainly get their training through an online institution.
Definition of a Medical Assistant
States have different descriptions of the medical assistant job, but there are some common components nonetheless. The classification of a medical assistant is generally divided into one of two groups: front office and back office. The front office medical assistant is more of an administrative worker who assists a doctor in running the business end of his practice. The back office medical assistant may handle some administrative tasks, but he or she is also given the responsibility of some patient care tasks as well.
The front office medical assistant typically schedules appointments, keeps records, and acts as a go-between for patients on the phone and doctors in the office. A front office medical assistant needs a basic understanding of medical terminology as well as a high level of proficiency in office skills. This individual will be working with computers, automated record keeping systems, fax machines and other office equipment, etc. The front office medical assistant will also be communicating with other medical facilities and pharmacies, so good communication skills are essential.
The back office medical assistant will be charged with other tasks relating to patient care. He or she will check patients in, take height and weight measurements, measure vital signs, and generally prep a patient to see the doctor. Excellent communication skills are required as is a good "bedside manner." The back office medical assistant tends to make more than his front office counterpart, but it requires a greater commitment to education.
Educational Requirements
A front office medical assistant can usually earn certification within one academic year. With only basic medical terminology and administrative duties to learn, certification in this area goes fairly quickly. However, most states require back office medical assistants to complete a two-year associate degree program which includes medical terminology, basic anatomy and physiology, and basic hands-on patient skills. Exactly what will be required to complete an associate degree program is determined largely by state regulations.
Online School Choices
For candidates who simply wish to be certified as a front office medical assistant the choice of online schools is very adequate. Certification programs don't vary much in terms of the courses they offer because the tasks of the front office medical assistants are pretty consistent no matter where you live and work. Once you finish your certification program you will be required to pass a licensing exam from your state.
Those who prefer to pursue a two-year associate degree have some additional choices to make. Not only will you be learning the necessary skills and knowledge to be a certified back office medical assistant, you will also be offered the opportunity to embark on a specific specialty within the field. This is where the importance of investigating online schools becomes very important. To get started, you first have to decide on a specialty.
Once you know what you're specialty will be - let's say it's obstetrics and gynecology - you'll need to look for schools that offer courses pointed in that direction. There's no easy formula to tell you how to do this, it's simply a matter of spending time online and on the phone doing the research. You might find your search easier if you ask the opinion of others who are already working in the industry. Their experience might prove invaluable in your choice of schools. In addition, don't be afraid to ask as many questions of school representatives as you need to understand what they offer.
Accreditation
There are two main organizations responsible for providing accreditation to online medical assistant programs. They are the Accrediting Bureau of Health Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). It's not necessary to enroll in a program accredited by one of these institutions in order to earn your license, but it's generally assumed that accredited programs meet a minimum set of standard requirements. This is one area where accreditation can never hurt; it will be a requirement if you ever want to continue your education to eventually become a certified medical assistant (CMA).
Accreditation or not, make sure whatever program you enroll in will be approved by your state when it comes time to take a licensing exam. Most programs will be approved as long as they adequately prepare you for the exam, but there are exceptions to the rule. You might want to check with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the program you're thinking of enrolling in.
Entrance Requirements
Finally, when researching online medical assistant programs you'll need to pay careful attention to what their entrance requirements are. Typically you'll be able to enroll as long as you have a high school diploma or GED. If you're a homeschooled student you might have to explain homeschool law to the officials of any program you're thinking of enrolling in. Although homeschooling is becoming more mainstream, many colleges and universities still are unaware of how the law applies to them. You may have to convince them, using your homeschool records, that your education is at least equivalent to that of a public high school program.
Some online medical assistant programs do require the completion of advanced placement science and math courses while in high school. If that's the case, you can always take a semester and earn credit for those courses at your local community college. Afterward you should have no trouble in enrolling in the medical assistant program of your choice.
Good luck in your search!