Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants have become a very important part of the health care team. This exciting program will prepare you confidently as a front and back office Medical Assistant. Medical Assistant professionals are trained to perform administrative and clinical tasks that keep the offices of Surgeons, OBGYN's, Pediatricians, Family Practicioners and Cardiologist running smoothly. Many Medical Assistants enter the field with the intention of pursuing higher goals within the medical industry. Becoming a Medical Assistant not only offers stable employment and work gratification, but also the opportunity to be exposed to other areas of the medical industry and learn about them prior to making future academic continuation goals.
Administrative duties include:
• Scheduling patients for appointments
• Obtaining medical records
• Basic insurance billing
Clinical duties include:
• Recording blood pressure, temperature and other vital signs
• Assisting with physical examinations
• Handling laboratory specimens
• Assisting in minor surgeries
• Perform EKGs
• Apply injections
Program Completion Time
Diploma - 9 Months / 36 weeks / 800 hours
Schedule: M-F 8:00am to 12:00p OR M-F 5:30pm to 9:30p
FREE PHLEBOTOMY Tuition Certification Program:
• No cost Phlebotomy tuition upon completion of the Medical Assistant Program.
• Fully CDPH accredited. You will be eligible to sit for the certification examination.
See Phlebotomy Program Detalis HERE
Career Opportunities
According to the US Department of Labor, Medical Assistant positions are one of the fastest growing and most in-demand professions in the country. With numerous outstanding opportunities for employment and salaries increasing annually, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in this exciting field. Having a certification in Phlebotomy, such as CPT1, may also increase the possibilites of obtaining great employment opportunities.
Q&A of Becoming a Medical Assistant
Do I need a High School Diploma to become a Medical Assistant?
This really depends on what your ultimate goal is as a Medical Assistant. Having a GED or High School diploma is still the best way to undertake your next challenge, but you should not be discouraged if you don’t have it. NPCollege offers an opportunity to prepare you to obtain your High School Diploma or GED from an accredited school based on your past academic history, and while you are attending Medical Assistant classes. If you have been informed that obtaining a High School diploma only takes a few weeks or less, you really need to do your research about the GED or High School education accreditation being offered to you.
Remember: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Is a license required to become a Medical Assistant?
Unlike many other professions in the medical field, the State of California does not issue licenses for Medical Assistants and does not require obtaining a certification. At completion of the program, you may voluntarily apply for certification testing through multiple agencies. Being certified is highly recommended since it opens many employment opportunities. NPCollege assist graduates with the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA) exam preparation and certification.
Do I need an Associate Degree to become a Medical Assistant?
Not typically. An Associate Degree may be required by a prospect employer but not very common. For an employer, it is far more important that you have the proper training in the field and it is to your advantage if you have passed an examination for Medical Assistant certification. In some cases, having additional certifications in Phlebotomy or Hemodialysis proves your high level of training and skill.
How long is the program at NPC and why do different schools have Medical Assistant programs that vary in length?
The length of any Medical Assistant program depends on class schedule and thoroughness of the program. The entire program at NPCollege takes 9 months to fully prepare you for field and employment challenges. In addition, NPCollege gives you the opportunity to take the California State approved Phlebotomy course without paying any tuition costs after successful completion of the Medical Assistant program.
Can I transfer credits from another school to take the Medial Assistant program at NPCollege?
Because of the length of the program and to ensure quality of training, you may only challenge introductory classes to receive additional credits. To qualify, you can submit your prior school’s unofficial transcripts or proof of past related work experience for an evaluation.