Medical Assistant Training Programs

Typical Medical Assistant Training

Medical assistant training programs and other learning sources are widely available. They can vary significantly in outcome and in length, depending on the type of program. Traditionally, there are two types of medical assistant programs:

• two-years at a junior, or community college (Applied Associate’s (A.A.S.) degree
• or a 9-12 month accelerated medical assistant program (MA diploma)

Are you one among the Millions of people in America tired of meaningless and mundane jobs behind a register, counter, or cubicle? Naturally you want to join the community of caring...

Accelerated Medical Assistant Training

The present job market is flooded with medical assistants that have received their training on the job, as well as thousands that hold recognized diplomas. This will make it difficult for those competing for jobs without formal medical assistant training and certifications. Therefore, most upcoming medical assistants sign up for accelerated programs to be better prepared to join the workforce upon successful completion.

Deb, MA tells us on our Medical Assistant Forum:

"I have been working in the medical (assisting) field for 21 years! I started out as a receptionist with no college education, and my managers and supervisors trained me to be a medical assistant. As the clinic grew, they offered classes to employees, such as, injections, medication administration, and venipuncture. I have certificates of completion in all of these and have had extensive "hands on" experience in OB/GYN, Podiatry, Family Medicine, and 10 years in Urgent Care. I recently left this company and moved out of state. I just went to an interview with a medical group that wants either a CMA or RMA, and even with all of my experience, I am concerned that I won't pass the RMA exam."   Deb, MA

The medical assistant training institution and their programs should be  approved by the Commission of Accreditation on Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), or by the U.S. Department of Education, or ABHES-accredited so they can sit for the various medical assisting certification exams.

A.A.S. in Medical Assisting

Unfortunately, most applied science degrees don't allow transfer of credits toward a different degree, such as RN., as it applies only to the specific educational course completed.

Here are some questions you can ask:

• When was the school founded?
• Who is the school accredited through?
• How long has it been accredited?
• What are the faculty's background and qualifications?
• What is the average class size?
• • Is there room for individual attention?
• Do other colleges accept transfer credits from this school?
• What are the specific schools that accept transfer credits from here and for exactly which classes?
• How much is the tuition including all books and equipment?
• • What will my total tuition be when I finish?
• What are the specific terms of the loan?
• • What is the interest rate?
• Will the school help me find my first job?
• • How much pay can I expect during the first years?
• What is the job outlook and the possibility for promotions?
• Are there cross-training and advancement opportunities?

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