Medical Assistant School

Medical Assistant Training: St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants

2008-07-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

Medical Assistant Training: St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants provides a convenient and affordable medical assistant program designed to train Medical Assistants to function effectively as an integral member of todays health care team!
Medical Assistant Program Details
Our online Medical Assistant courses are so convenient that you can complete the entire program at your own pace and study all classes online at anytime around the world. We also provide online training in intoductory laboratory skills and basic clinical tasks for medical assistants.
Medical Assistants as Healthcare ProfessionalsMedical assistants as healthcare professionals perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. Medical assistants find employment in private and public hospitals, as well as inpatient and outpatient facilities, medical doctors, etc. Given their role as healthcare professionals the demand for medical assistants is only on the rise.The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty. Medical Assistant registration formalities are extremely convenient and flexible with St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants online distance education program. Our simple online registration form and tuition payment modality is also tuned for your convenience. Medical Assistant program registration is only a few clicks away!
Our Medical Assistant School is now very convenient: Just enroll online, attend online classes at your convenience, take the online medical assistant exam at the end of the program and earn your certificate in as little as 6-8 weeks!
Medical Assistant Program Classes Online:
Medical Terminology, Human Body Planes, Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Office Professionalism, Patient Communication, Medical Records, Basic Medical Law, Scheduling Appointments, Medical Billing and Insurance Claims, Infection Control, Surgical Instruments, Emergency Care, Clinical Equipment, Patient History and Physicals, EKG and Lab Testing, Specimen Collection and Lab Safety, Introduction to Patient Medications.
Online Medical Assistant Clinical Labs: Virtual Phlebotomy Lab (Collecting a Blood Sample), Virtual Injection Lab , Medication injections, Measuring A Pulse, Introduction to CPR and Basic Ultrasound.
Required Course Medical Assistant Textbook:All students entering our medical assistant distance education program are required to purchase the textbook: "Outline Review for the Medical Assistant ", by Marsha Perkins Hemby (second edition). This text contains all the materials and CD-ROM required to successfully complete our Medical Assistant distance education program. The text is available at Amazon.com for $40 (used copies are often available) or at the publisher www.prenhall.comMedical Assistant Employment Opportunities:According to the United States Department of Labor, "job prospects are excellent for Medical Assistants. Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with formal training. Most Medical Assistants work in doctors offices, hospitals, clinics or other health care settings. A Medical Assistant assists with administrative tasks and minor procedures to keep the doctor's offices and health care facilities running smoothly. Helping to drive job growth is the increasing number of group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities that need a high proportion of support personnel, particularly medical assistants who can handle both administrative and clinical duties. In addition, medical assistants work primarily in outpatient settings, a rapidly growing sector of the health care industry. Job seekers who want to work as a medical assistant should find excellent job prospects. Medical assistants are projected to account for a very large number of new jobs, and many other opportunities will come from the need to replace workers leaving the occupation. Those with formal training or experience should have the best job opportunities."
The Medical Assistant tuition fee during our current "Online Enrollment Drive" is just $645!
(The regular tuition fee for our online Medical Assistant distance education program is $1,215)

Medical Assistants - Nature of the Work

2008-07-02T05:15:00.000-07:00

Medical Assistants - Nature of the Work

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. They should not be confused with Physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician. (Physician assistants are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.)
The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.
Medical assistants who perform administrative tasks have many duties. They update and file patients’ medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. They also perform tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and bookkeeping.
For clinical medical assistants, duties vary according to what is allowed by State law. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.
Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.
Ophthalmic medical assistants, optometric assistants, and podiatric medical assistants are examples of specialized assistants who have additional duties. Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists provide eye care. They conduct diagnostic tests, measure and record vision, and test eye muscle function. They also show patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses, and they apply eye dressings. Under the direction of the physician, ophthalmic medical assistants may administer eye medications. They also maintain optical and surgical instruments and may assist the ophthalmologist in surgery. Optometric assistants also help provide eye care, working with optometrists. They provide chair-side assistance, instruct patients about contact lens use and care, conduct preliminary tests on patients, and otherwise provide assistance while working directly with an optometrist. Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.
Work environment. Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. They constantly interact with other people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once. Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. However, many medical assistants work part time, evenings, or weekends.

Medical Assistants - Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

2008-07-02T05:12:00.000-07:00

Medical Assistants - Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Some medical assistants are trained on the job, but many complete 1-year or 2-year programs.
Education and training. Postsecondary medical assisting programs are offered in vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Programs usually last either 1 year and result in a certificate or diploma, or 2 years and result in an associate degree. Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as typing, transcription, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing. Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, and first aid. They study office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics. There are various organizations that accredit medical assisting programs. Accredited programs often include an internship that provides practical experience in physicians’ offices, hospitals, or other health care facilities.
Formal training in medical assisting, while generally preferred, is not always required. Some medical assistants are trained on the job, although this practice is less common than in the past. Applicants usually need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Recommended high school courses include mathematics, health, biology, typing, bookkeeping, computers, and office skills. Volunteer experience in the health care field also is helpful. Medical assistants who are trained on the job usually spend their first few months attending training sessions and working closely with more experienced workers.
Some States allow medical assistants to perform more advanced procedures, such as giving injections, after passing a test or taking a course.
Certification and other qualifications. Employers prefer to hire experienced workers or those who are certified. Although not required, certification indicates that a medical assistant meets certain standards of competence. There are various associations—some listed in the sources of information below—that award certification credentials to medical assistants, and the certification process varies. It also is possible to become certified in a specialty, such as podiatry, optometry, or ophthalmology.
Medical assistants deal with the public; therefore, they must be neat and well groomed and have a courteous, pleasant manner and they must be able to put patients at ease and explain physicians’ instructions. They must respect the confidential nature of medical information. Clinical duties require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.
Advancement. Medical assistants may advance to other occupations through experience or additional training. For example, some may go on to teach medical assisting, and others pursue additional education to become nurses or other health care workers. Administrative medical assistants may advance to office manager, or qualify for a variety of administrative support occupations.

One Year Programs: Medical Assistant School

2008-07-02T05:11:00.001-07:00

There's a lot of confusion about medical assistant school and the types of medical careers you can qualify for in as little as one year. In this week’s article, we answer the most frequently asked questions:1) What exactly does a medical assistant do?Medical assistants usually take care of both administrative and clinical needs, with specific responsibilities varying depending on the size of the doctor's office, type of clinic, etc. Duties can range from answering phones and filling out insurance paperwork to taking down patient medical histories and assisting doctors before or during medical examinations.2) What is the typical length of courses at medical assistant school?If you choose to study for a post-secondary certificate or diploma, your course will typically last one year. You can also study for a two-year Associate's Degree. If you choose to specialize in a specific field of medicine, there may be additional coursework.3) What is the average cost of training?You can get specific quotes on program costs once you’ve identified whether you’re interested in a one-year, or a two-year program. We’ve compiled a list of some of the leading national medical assistant school programs for you, click the link. You can get cost, timeline, expected salaries, and other important questions answered for free, from a program specialist.4) Am I guaranteed a job after I complete medical assistant training?According to industry reports, the job market for medical assistants is not only hot now, it’s expected to actually increase for at least the next eight years as factors such as baby boomers and health care reform continues to increase demand in this prestigious profession.5) Sounds great, but I can't afford to give up my current job to do training. What can I do?You have a wide range of possibilities available to you these days, especially with the number of top schools offering more of their curriculum online. Schools now offer alternatives such as evening or weekend classes to accommodate those with busy schedules. There are also online or distance learning options available. These courses adapt to your schedule, because most coursework can be completed when and where you want, as long as you have Internet access.

Medical Assistant School Graduates Earning Potential and Employment Prospects

2008-07-02T04:57:00.001-07:00

Medical Assistant School Graduates Earning Potential and Employment Prospects
Medical assistant graduates made an average of $27,490 in 2004. The earnings vary depending on the experience of the medical assistant, their skill level, and location. The demand for skilled medical assistant program graduates has grown significantly in recent years, and employment prospects look promising. The high rate of health care services is the main reason for the need of skilled professionals in this area. Medical assistants can advance in their career with specialization, by working in a particular health care field, or moving into office manager positions and other positions with increased responsibility. Related occupations include:
Dental assistants
Occupational therapist assistants
Pharmacy aides
Physical therapist assistants
Medical records and health information technicians

Medical Assistant Training & Certification

2008-07-02T04:56:00.002-07:00

Medical Assistant Training & Certification
Prospective medical assistants can obtain medical assistant training in a few ways. One way to obtain medical assistant training is to enroll in programs offered at vocational-technical high schools that focus on a specific curriculum. Postsecondary vocational schools and community colleges are another option. Most postsecondary programs range from 1-2 years in length, and many result in an Associate Degree.
The Associate Degree covers a range of subjects that may include science-based topics such as anatomy, medical terminology, and physiology, along with administrative and business processes. Here, most students learn medical transcription, recordkeeping, accounting, insurance processing, and typing. Office practices may include patient relations, medical ethics, and medical law. Laboratory techniques may include first aid training, administration of medication, and basic pharmaceutical procedures.
Another option is to enroll in a formal medical assisting program. Although this is not required, it is preferred by many prospective employers. Applicants to this program will need a high school diploma or equivalent, with recommended high school courses of mathematics, health, computers, office skills, typing, and bookkeeping. Volunteer experience in the health care industry can also help with enrollment in this type of program. All accredited programs include an internship that provides hands-on experience at a health care facility or office.
Graduates of medical assistant programs may apply for a license, but this is not necessarily required. Some states do require a test or a course in order to be approved for certain tasks. These tasks may range from handling x-ray equipment to medical note taking procedures.
Medical assistants are required to be either certified or licensed, and the majority choose to be certified. Two types of certification are available; the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential is awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The American Medical Technologists (AMT) awards the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certificate.
Certification requires graduation from an accredited medical assistant program. Certification is recognized by many prospective employers around the country, and can give any medical assistant student a competitive edge.

Medical Assistant School: Certified Medical Assistant Training, Programs, Certification, Career, Courses, Training, Education

2008-07-02T04:56:00.001-07:00

Medical Assistant School: Certified Medical Assistant Training, Programs, Certification, Career, Courses, Training, Education

Medical assistants are usually trained on the job and work in a physician’s office. They perform administrative and clerical duties, along with clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, health practitioners, and chiropractors. This helps ensure smooth operations throughout the office, but the position is very different from a physician assistant role.
Job Description and Responsibilities of Medical Assistant School Graduates
Medical Assistant Schools
Graduates of medical assistant schools are expected to:
Communicate and correspond with the public
Put patients at ease by explaining the physician’s or health practitioner’s instructions
Assume office manager responsibilities and duties
Maintain patient confidentiality
Become familiar with the physician’s goals
Understand basic pharmaceutical principles
Learn about medical law and adhere to ethical standards
Career Options After Medical Assistant School
Students of medical assistant schools can choose to work in:
Hospitals
Group practices
Physician offices
Chiropractor’s offices
Public and private education services
Ambulatory health care service
Medical laboratories
Nursing care facilities
Outpatient care centers
State and local government health care agencies

Medical Assistant Training Schools

2008-07-02T04:49:00.001-07:00

Medical Assistant Training Schools
Interested in medical assistant training? Join the fastest growing industry in America! Whether you are looking to study in the north of Alaska, the southern tip of Florida, or anywhere in between, you can find a top medical assistant training school. Can't find a program in your city or state? No problem! You can do your training online! Here we provide links to top medical assistant schools across the country and in cyberspace. University of Phoenix is one school that offers both Internet-based and campus-based Medical Assistant programs, with physical sites in Arizona, California, Ohio, Tennessee and many other states. Virginia College's range of medical assisting programs includes Pharmacy Technician training in Mississippi, Practical Nursing studies in Florida, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography in Texas. The Sanford Brown Institute offers fast-track diplomas in Ultrasound, Massage Therapy, Medical Billing & Coding, and other medical assisting specialties at 14 campuses in Maryland, Texas, Pennsylvania, and other U.S. states.Click on your state on the list below to find schools and healthcare programs near you. Can't find your state or city? Check out the online medical assistant schools.
Find a School for Medical Assistant Training Near you.
Choose a state below:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
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Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Online Schools

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting in El Paso, TX

2008-07-02T04:47:00.001-07:00

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting in El Paso, TX Medical Assistants assist physicians in various areas of a medical visit. Medical assistants have a wide range of skills acquired by training at a technical school which enables them to take care of the patients and seeing to many of their needs when visiting the doctor. Medical assistants prepare examination rooms by making sure they are clean and ready to be used. They also do some tasks directly involving a patient's care, such as take vital signs, give injections, perform x-rays and electrocardiograms. Finally, when an examination is over, medical assistants will clean the equipment and the room again. It is not unusual for medical assistants to be on hand to help out during surgical procedures and laboratory operations. Because the job responsibilities of a medical assistant are rather broad, they also are involved in the administrative aspects of the doctor's office as well. They maintain records after a patient visits the doctor, issues billing statements, orders supplies, schedules patients' appointments, and is the main contact for the office while working with insurance claims.Attending classes at the Computer Career Center's Medical Assistant School will equip students with the education and tools to work in any type of medical settings, from a clinic to a hospital to a physician's office. The courses they will take to acquire the medical skills are physiology, medical terminology, and anatomy. For more administrative skills, students will learn procedures for accounting, handling insurance, keeping records, transcribing, and typing. You can earn a degree from the Computer Career Center in El Paso, Texas quickly and begin a new career as a medical assistant in no time.TOTAL CLOCK HOURS: 1440ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME: 72 Weeks*The Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assistant is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE).

MEDICAL ASSISTANT AT LAURUS TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

2008-07-02T04:45:00.000-07:00

MEDICAL ASSISTANT
The Medical Assistant training program provides students with the skills and knowledge to begin a medical assistant career. The medical assistant program is 50 credit hours and 720 clock hours including classroom instruction, labs, and an externship. Click here for to view the medical assistant curriculum. If you've been searching for a medical assistant school or clinical medical assistant school, then look no further than Laurus.
The Medical Assistant program trains students in a variety of areas including:
Basic Clinical procedures
Phlebotomy
Micro urinalysis
Medical terminology
Anatomy & physiology
Microsoft office
Health insurance & claims processing
Medical law & ethics
CPR & First Aid
EKG (electrocardiogram)
Take/record vital signs
Assist with physical examinations
Perform a variety of blood tests
Administer injections
Maintain medical supply inventory
Setup medical instruments
Provide proper wound and skin care
Apply splint or air cast to patient extremities
Assist physician with minor surgical procedures
Provide medication instructions to patient
Position and drape patient for physical exams
Administer medications
Coordinate with hospitals/labs
collection/prep lab specimens
Perform eye and ear lavag
Remove sutures
Change dressing
Graduates of the Medical Assistant program have worked in a variety of medical offices including:
Physician's offices
Medical billing companies
Long-term care facilities
Dialysis centers
Government agencies
Behavioral health centers
Insurance companies
Skilled nursing facilities
Law firms
Hospice facilities
Rehabilitation clinics
Chiropractors
Nursing homes
Collection agencies
Medical laboratories
Sports medicine facilities
Hospitals
Emergency rooms
Specialty physicians
Upon successful completion of the Medical assistant program, students are qualified to obtain a number of certifications including:
Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant
Certified EKG Technician
Certified Phlebotomy Technician
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
Registered Medical Assistant
Certified Central Processing Technician
Certified Sterile Technician
Certified Medical Transporter
Certified Wound Technician
Certified Medical Transcriber
Certified Medical Office Administrator
Certified Minor Surgery Assistant
Certified Medical Records Technician
Certified Unit Clerk
Certified Monitor Technician
To learn more information about the Medical Assistant program please contact the admissions department at 1 (800) 581-7052 or fill out a contact form. If you'd like more information about related healthcare programs, click here for medical billing and coding, or medical office admistration.
For additional information about the medical assistant occupation, please click on the link below to review a summary from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Medical Assistants - http://www.bls.gov/oco/pdf/ocos164.pdf

Medical Assistant Schools and Programs

2008-07-02T04:42:00.000-07:00

Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
Medical assistant schools are finding the demand for trained and certified health-care professionals continues to grow exponentially. At one time, doctors were thought of as the fabric of the medical institution, but things are changing with managed care as nurses and medical assistants are finally receiving rightful credit for their increasing role in patient care, performing examinations, administering therapy treatments, and managing insurance and billing records. The level of professionalism and holistic expertise that medical assisting has brought to clinics, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, nursing homes, and other medical institutions is a reflection of the quality training they are receiving from the educational establishments that offer the top healthcare and medical school programs.Are you looking for a top Medical Assistant School? We have put together a great summary of the best school training programs we could find. These schools have programs focused solely on medical assistant training, but also include courses on:
* Healthcare Administration* Medical Transcription* Sonography/Ultrasound Technology* X-Ray Technology* Phlebotomy* Pharmacy* Insurance Billing and Coding and more. If you're an experienced medical assistant looking to change or advance in your career, you can find information on certificate and degree programs in specialized areas of medical assistance. For example, the Sanford-Brown Institute and Virginia College offer Diagnostic Medical Sonography training at several of their U.S. campuses. A degree in ultrasound can be your ticket to a high-paying, stable, and challenging technological career. Our featured Health Care Administration schools (such as The University of Phoenix or Colorado Technical University) and Medical Billing and Coding programs like TechSkills will help you get ahead in your medical administration career.Another important step in the career of a medical assistant can be passing the American Association of Medical Assistants national certification exam. Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) often have better career advancement opportunities and greater job security. A prerequisite to taking the certification exam is graduating from an accredited medical assistant training program that provides training in areas such as human anatomy, first aid, laboratory techniques, coding and insurance processing, and medical terminology.
Source: The American Association of Medical Assistants

Information about: Medical Assisting

2008-07-02T04:39:00.000-07:00

Medical Assistant School Program
Students searching for medical assistant school program found the following related articles, links, and information useful.
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Information about: Medical Assisting
Adults who are interested in a medical profession may want to consider a career as a medical assistant, especially if they enjoy working with people.
There are a variety of medical fields like anesthesiology, physical therapy, and veterinary science that need medical assistants. Some examples of job tasks include filing patients' files, preparing medical instruments, and collecting laboratory samples.
For those who would like to pursue a career in medical assistance, having a degree or certification may improve the chances of finding a job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) at www.bls.gov, most employers prefer graduates who complete a program that specializes in medical assisting. Such programs can be found at vocational schools, community colleges, and junior colleges.