Medical Assisting

The average cost of medical assistant training will vary widely based on the institution at which you are enrolled, any financial aid you receive, and whether you seek a certificate or associate degree. To learn more about the cost of Carrington College’s Medical Assisting program, check out the Academic Catalog.

You do not need a degree to work in medical assisting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, although there are no formal educational requirements for becoming a medical assistant in most states, employers may prefer to hire assistants who have completed a training program. Carrington College offers a Medical Assisting certificate program that can be completed in as few as 9 months.

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is an entry-level healthcare worker who helps nurses with patient care. A medical assistant, on the other hand, works with more members of a medical team and may also fulfill some clerical duties. It is hard to say if a medical assistant is higher than a CNA, as they are separate roles.

A sample of Medical Assisting classes at Carrington College includes:

MA Administration Theory 1—This course provides theory in the following areas: telephone techniques, oral communication, verbal follow-up, written follow-up, managing and maintaining the office, computers, appointments, records and filing, patient education, legal issues and biomedical ethics.

MA Clinical Applications 1—This course provides concepts and entry-level skill applications for the following procedures: vitals including height, weight and vision screening, aseptic hand washing, lab safety, microscopes, venipuncture, injections (parenteral medications), ABO/RH typing, capillary puncture, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, urinalysis, audiometer and electrocardiography

Medical assistants perform a number of clinical and administrative tasks in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and care centers. Since medical assistants work in a variety of settings, duties can differ greatly depending on the care setting, size of the facility, and specialty of the physicians who work there.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some medical assistant job duties may include:

• Record patient history and personal information
• Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure
• Help physicians with patient examinations
• Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians and as permitted by state law
• Schedule patient appointments
• Prepare blood samples for laboratory tests
• Enter patient information into medical records

A CNA provides basic care and helps patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, using the toilet, and helping them eat.⁴ A medical assistant works with patients in both a clinical and clerical capacity. Some duties of a medical assistant may include recording patient history, taking vital signs, and scheduling appointments. The main distinction between CNAs and medical assistants is that medical assistants complete clerical work.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if formal medical assistant training is worth it. Medical assisting is a rewarding career in which you will be able to work with patients and healthcare professionals.

Depending on the program or school for medical assistant training, it can take six months to a year. If you’re looking for online programs or schools, medical assisting career training is possible in this format. Carrington College offers an online Medical Assisting Certificate you can complete in as few as 9 months. Online certificate: All courses in this program are offered in an online format, except the in-person externship that is completed at an approved healthcare setting.