One Year Programs: Medical Assistant School by Ramon Mackenzie

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.