What Is Medical Assisting?

Medical assistants work in doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings. They do administrative and clinical work, such as:

• Taking vital signs like blood pressure and temperature

• Helping doctors with examinations

• Collecting and recording patient histories

Medical assisting is a great career choice for people who are passionate about helping others. It’s a growing field, too. Experts believe that by 2029, the number of medical assistant jobs available will be 19% higher than it was in 2019. That’s a much faster rate of growth than you’d see in other fields.

The average pay for a medical assistant is $34,800 per year, or $16.73 an hour. With time and experience, some medical assistants work their way up to as much as $49,000 a year.

How to Become a Medical Assistant

You don’t need a college degree to become a medical assistant. The minimum requirement is a high school diploma or GED.

Most states don’t require medical assistants to be certified, but many employers prefer or mandate certification to ensure quality patient care. If you want to be a competitive candidate, it’s best to complete a career training program in medical assisting.

Medical assistant training programs teach you the hands-on skills and background knowledge you need to succeed. That includes:

• Basic human anatomy and medical terminology

• What laws and regulations apply to patient information

• How to assist with minor procedures and testing

The most affordable and efficient way to get this training is through an online certification like the one offered by MedCerts. You can complete this program in as few as 27 weeks, compared to the 24 months you’d need to get an associate degree.

All coursework is fully online and includes simulated experiences that offer a sense of being on the job. The out-of-pocket tuition is $4,000, but military spouses eligible for MyCAA funding can enroll in the program and use $2,000 toward their program.

The MedCerts Medical Assistant program prepares you to apply for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). This program also prepares you for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam and provides Customer Service Certified (CSC) credential.

With so many job seekers applying for medical assistant positions, applicants with multiple national certifications tend to stand out. Today’s Medical Assistants are expected to take on additional responsibilities – chief among them related to and around the practices of Phlebotomy and Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG). At MedCerts, we offer multiple programs where you can earn more than one certification. If you’re hoping to move into a career as a Medical Assistant, we offer three online Medical Assistant programs depending on what certifications you are interested in.

What Should You Do First?

If you’re interested in this exciting career field, start by learning as much as you can about the MedCerts Medical Assistant program. One-on-one education consultants are standing by to answer any questions you might have.

Medical assisting is a rewarding and accessible career with jobs available all over the country. MedCerts will teach you the clinical and administrative skills you need to find a job and thrive, all in as little as seven and a half months. Talk to a MyCAA Education Consultant today.