You’ve decided to become a medical assistant! Congratulations! As a medical assistant, you could play an important role in the medical field and impact someone’s life. Becoming a medical assistant is an exciting journey but before jumping head first into this new career path, it may be wise to consider what might be required of you. Medical assistant education requirements may vary by state as well as the requirements for medical assistant school. To give you a better idea of what’s to come, we have outlined general medical assistant requirements for your convenience. Continue reading to discover some medical assistant criteria that could be expected from you!
Medical Assistant Education Requirements and Skills
Many medical assistants pursue formal training with little to no experience in the healthcare field. That is why it is important to make sure you know the medical assistant education requirements that could help prepare you for the various duties of a medical assistant. Medical assistants are entrusted with a variety of tasks they must be properly trained for. When researching medical assistant schools, keep in mind the responsibilities that may be required of you as a medical assistant. These can include:
- Recording a patient’s medical history
- Measuring vital signs
- Aiding physicians with patient examinations
- Setting up patient appointments
- Taking blood or urine samples
- Arranging blood samples for laboratory tests¹
Although medical assistant education requirements may vary, there are specific types of training to look for that could greatly benefit you on this journey. These include:
- Hands-on training in a medical setting
- Communication skills (or soft skills) training
- Training in technical skills (proper use of medical instruments)
- Analytical skills training
The right school could help you meet medical assistant requirements and could help prepare you to tackle every task thrown your way!
Course Requirements for Medical Assistant School
Medical assistant training is very specific but covers many diverse topics. Each school is different and may choose a variety of courses for its students. Knowing what classes you need to succeed at your job and the required courses to become a medical assistant, could also help when choosing an educational institution. Required courses to become a medical assistant could include:
- Infection Control
- Pharmacology Basics
- Administering medications and injections
- Specimen collection and handling for laboratory tests
- Phlebotomy
- First Aid
- EKGs
- Medical Terminology
Taking an anatomy and physiology class could also help give you a foundational understanding of the human body and make you a well-rounded medical assistant.
Medical Assistant Job Outlook
For those pursuing a medical assistant career, we have good news: the world is in need of medical assistants! According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 23% from 2018 to 2028². This means job prospects for medical assistants are good and potentially a great opportunity for aspiring healthcare workers. The State of Michigan DTMB, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives has also made positive projections regarding the employment of medical assistants. They state that employment of medical assistants will rise 28.1% from 2016 to 2026³. As healthcare facilities continue to grow, medical assistants will be called on to help with various administrative and clinical duties in the field.4 Are you ready to meet a need in the healthcare world and thus achieve all medical assistant requirements?
Complete your Medical Assistant program in as Little as 12 months at Dorsey Schools!
If you are still searching for a school that will help you meet medical assistant requirements and become highly trained in the medical field, consider enrolling at Dorsey Schools! Our program can be completed in a short 12 months and also offers an externship portion to provide you with hands-on training! During the externship you could learn by doing in a physician’s office, clinic, or another medical facility before graduating. At Dorsey Schools, you can expect to receive comprehensive training in both the clinical and administrative responsibilities of a medical assistant. Once the Medical Assistant program is completed, you will be able to challenge a national Medical Assistant certification exam and potentially go on to a fulfilling career. If this sounds like something you want to achieve, take the next step today! Reach your goals by completing your medical assistant requirements with Dorsey Schools. The future awaits!
Additional Information:
- “Medical Assistants : Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 Apr. 2020, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-2.
- “Medical Assistants : Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 Apr. 2020, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6.
- “Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.” Milmi.org > Home, milmi.org/
- “Medical Assistants : Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 Apr. 2020, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6.
