Are you considering or already planning a career as a medical assistant? If so, you are going to need some training. One option is to go to a traditional college for a couple of years and earn your degree. Another option is to enroll in career training classes to prepare you for certification in a few months, saving up to 50% of the cost of a degree. Here at ProTrain, we offer a number of medical assistant online classes.
The Medical Assistant Career
Before we discuss medical assistant classes specifically, let’s talk about the career itself. A medical assistant (MA) is a trained professional responsible for both administrative and clinical duties on a daily basis. MAs can be found working at:
- Private practices and clinics
- Physician’s offices
- Outpatient centers
- Hospitals and after-hours clinics
Wherever you have physicians working to treat patients, MAs are likely part of the healthcare team. They are generally the first type of professional a patient will encounter after being called from the waiting room into the exam area.
What Medical Assistants Do
On the clinical side of things, a medical assistant prepares the patient to see a physician or advanced practice nurse. The MA will typically take vital signs, record patient information, and generally prepare the patient for any expected exams and procedures.
A medical assistant might also be tasked with administering medications or injections. MAs assist with some types of procedures. They can even perform basic laboratory tests as needed. On the administrative side of things, an MA could be tasked with:
- Maintaining patient records
- Scheduling appointments
- Managing patient flow
- Assisting with medical billing and insurance claims
The daily tasks performed by a medical assistant can vary quite a bit depending on the work environment. In a small office with only a few employees, an MA could find themself wearing many hats. But in a large hospital, an MA’s job could be a lot more focused.
What We Offer at ProTrain
ProTrain medical assistant online classes begin with the basic Medical Assistant course. This is an online, self-paced course consisting of 175 hours of material. Students have 12 months to complete the material. Upon completion, students are prepared to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA) certification exam.
Students interested in more advanced training should consider one of our other courses:
- Medical Assistant course
- Medical Assistant – Live Online
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Medical Administrative Assistant Professional
All our classes are offered through the online format. Some are self-paced, meaning the student works through the material independently on their own schedule. Others are live-mentored and online live. A live-mentored course combines self-paced material with online mentoring. A live online course is taught by an instructor on a set schedule.
We Are Here for You
Our main priority here at ProTrain is helping students prepare for the longest and most rewarding careers possible. We are here for you as you embark on your career as a medical assistant. Don’t stress if you do not know which courses to take. Don’t stress if you do not understand certification.
A ProTrain career counsellor is more than capable of walking you through everything you need to know. Our career counselors are available to answer your questions, offer advice, and get you going on the most productive educational path for your needs.
If you’re ready to speak with a career counselor, feel free to call us at (844) 292-8641. In the meantime, you can take a look at our Medical Assistant introductory course overview. It describes what the course covers and what you’ll need to enroll. When you’re ready to enroll, just send a message to ProTrain at enroll@protrain.edu.
