There are many reasons to pursue a medical training program right now. Job security is a major draw, as many healthcare jobs are growing fast. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says medical assistant jobs are projected to grow 14% from 2022 – 2032. That’s much faster than the average of other occupations.1 But job stability is not the only reason people are choosing medical training programs right now.
Find the program that fits you best!
What are the benefits of a medical training program
Medical training programs aim to teach you critical skills needed to succeed in the healthcare industry. These may be basic life-saving skills, administrative skills, techniques to provide care to patients, and more. The benefits of learning these skills can’t be overstated! Knowing what to do in an emergency is a major benefit to enrolling in a medical training program. This is true no matter which healthcare career you’re interested in. You’ll use these skills alongside other specialized skills depending on your chosen career path. You may also learn key concepts in managing patient records, communication, and even project management.
Here are 9 more benefits of a medical training program.
1. State regulations
A good medical training program will make sure you’re all set to meet your state’s training and licensing rules (if applicable). Teachers and administrators in these programs can guide you through what you need to know regarding any state regulations, required certifications, or extra education you might need before you can start applying for jobs. The right medical training program can ensure you have the tools you need to meet the state regulations to work as a health professional in your area.
2. Externships or Clinical Experience
An externship or clinical experience in a medical training program is crucial. It’s your opportunity to take what you’ve learned and practice it in real-life. In most cases, a medical training program’s externship takes place in a hospital, doctor’s office, or other healthcare facility. Many employers value experience from an externship or clinical training before they hire someone, so this is important. With an externship, you’ll also gain professional exposure in the field of your choice. Think of your externship as a chance to network with other medical professionals in addition to practicing the skills you’ve learned.
3. Career services
As you research different programs, pay attention to any career services they offer. Job placement is not a guarantee, but many medical training programs offer support to help you in the job searching process. This support can come before, during, and after your medical training program. These support services might include:
- Resume development assistance
- Mock interviews or job interview skill development
- Job boards for medical training program graduates
4. Skilled instructors
The teachers in your medical training program are a very important element of a good education. They can help you learn the skills necessary for success. They can also help you stay informed on changing industry trends and research. If you enroll in a medical training program, look at the instructors. Read more about their background and experience to be sure it’s a good fit.
5. Pursue a new career
As we mentioned, some healthcare careers are seeing a lot of growth right now. That means it’s a good time to enroll in a medical training program and pursue a new career. There are dozens of different job titles and specializations you can choose from. You could work in an office or on a bustling floor in a hospital. You could work in a doctor’s office or in a laboratory. The wide variety of career options is one reason more people are enrolling in a medical training program right now.
Even better, working in healthcare is a chance to join a career where you make a deep impact in the lives of others every day. This career path is rewarding. It’s a great fit for people who want to help others.
6. Find the program that fits you best!
Another benefit of a medical training program is the wide variety of program options. There is likely something for everyone, no matter what your career goals or interests may be. There are more than 35 different job positions in healthcare. Medical training programs offer a great baseline foundation of medical knowledge and skills. They are a great way to learn the ropes and what specializations you might be good at.
No matter which medical training program you choose, you can expect to get a baseline healthcare knowledge. You can learn medical terminology, patient communication, managing health records, and anatomy. All these subjects are functions used across medical occupations, from medical assistants to CNAs to billing administrators.
7. Cross Training and building your career
Once you get that baseline medical knowledge, you can cross-train and build your healthcare career further! A good medical training program can help you discover cross-training opportunities. It’s your chance to broaden your knowledge and skills while also growing your career network. Some examples of areas you may have the opportunity to cross-train include:
- Administrative and clinical roles
- Phlebotomy
- Hematology
- Pulmonary function testing
- Quality improvement
8. Hands-on training
Perhaps the best part of a medical training program is the opportunity for hands-on training. Depending on the courses you take, you could have the opportunity to learn how to:
- Draw blood and analyze a blood sample
- Administer a vaccine
- Record vital signs
- Dress wounds and change bandages
- Collect and prepare medical specimens for testing
- And more
- Learning about these skills in a textbook is different than trying them with your hands. Practice is key. That’s why hands-on training is an essential part of a good medical training program.
9. Pursue a career in the medical field sooner!
If you pursue your medical training program full-time, you can complete your coursework in just a few months! That means you can start pursuing a healthcare career in less than a year. Other programs may take 1-2 years to complete. It really depends upon what type of career you wish to pursue, the program you select, and the time it may take you to finish your training and obtain your certification / license (if applicable). Now that you’ve learned more about the benefits, there’s no greater time than now to start this rewarding career path!
Dorsey College’s Medical Training Programs
Dorsey College is proud to offer a robust variety of medical training programs for people interested in healthcare careers in Michigan. Some of the exciting program options include:
- Medical Assistant
- Dialysis Patient Care Technician
- Medical Administration and Billing
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Patient Care Technician
- And more!
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm (visited April 17, 2024).
