What do medical assistants do?
Typical duties of medical assistants may include assisting doctors with clinical procedures such as minor surgeries. The Medical Assistant administers medications, performs electrocardiograms, and draws blood as well as appointment scheduling, managing medical records, insurance billing and coding, communications, and patient education.
Where do medical assistants work?
Medical assistants typically work in physicians’ offices, community health centers, urgent care centers and select outpatient facilities.
What is the employment outlook for medical assistants?
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics lists medical assisting as one of the fastest growing occupations in the country.
According to the Arizona Business Journal, medical assisting is the number one Hot Job in Arizona (January 10,2003). The rapid growth continues.
How much are medical assistants paid?
Approximately $22,000 - $37,000 per year. Generally, benefits are excellent.
What career advancement opportunities are available for medical assistants?
Some medical assistants go on to become office managers, clinical team leaders, supervisors or research coordinators.
Some medical assistants choose to continue their education by pursuing degrees in nursing, physician's assisting, or other healthcare professions.
How long does it take to complete the medical assisting program?
All the requirements of the Medical Assisting certificate (including externships) can be completed in approximately nine months.
When do medical assisting classes begin?
Students may begin the program in the fall or spring semester of each year. Fall classes begin in August and spring classes begin in January.
When do I register for medical assisting classes?
For students who wish to start the program in the fall (August), registration begins in March.
For students who wish to start the program in the spring (January), registration begins in October.
See Registration Process for more information.
Do I need to take a certification exam after I complete the medical assisting program?
Upon successful completion of the Medical Assisting program at Phoenix College, students are eligible to take the National Medical Assisting Exam given by the American Medical Technologists association.
This exam should be taken to assure compliance with the Arizona Medical Board, the Arizona Osteopathic Board of Examiners and the Arizona State Board of Nursing who oversee medical assistants working with medical and osteopathic Physicians and Nurse Practicioners.
What are the program externships?
The Medical Assisting certificate program includes a phlebotomy externship in an outpatient lab and a medical assisting externship at a physicians' office or group practice chosen in cooperation with the clinical coordinator and student.
These externships are completed during the nine month day program or thirteen month evening program.
|
