About Accredited Medical Assistant Programs
If you want to enter healthcare but do not want to work in nursing, you may consider becoming a medical assistant. As a medical assistant you can work in doctors' offices, clinics and hospitals. You'll learn both administrative and clinical skills to do your job correctly. There are accredited medical assistant programs that you can take online or on campus.
Accreditation
Schools hold accreditations through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Programs that are not recognized by these accrediting organizations have not met certain strict requirements regarding their curriculums, clinical training sites or course standards. You also will not be eligible to take your certified medical assistant exam if you do not receive your education through an accredited school program.
Examples of accreditation requirements for programs are:
- The school program meets the highest standards in its curriculum and courses.
- Students have access to the latest course material and training.
- The faculty is well trained to teach students.
Courses
The courses provided by accredited medical assistant schools are essential to your overall education. The majority of medical assistant programs may last nine months to a year. During this time, you'll learn many things that include:
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Pharmacology that includes administering injections
- Keyboarding, telephones and other administrative duties
- Back office skills such as phlebotomy, vital signs and patient rooming
- Ethics and legal aspects of medical assisting
American Association of Medical Assistants
The American Association of Medical Assistants, or AAMA, provides the certification exam to all medical assistant students. Although you're not required to take the exam, it may be in your best interest to do so. The credential is often something most employers look for or want when hiring assistants.