If you have always wanted to work in the medical field but do not have the financial means or the desire to go to school for eight or more years to become a doctor, one career you path you could follow is to become a medical assistant. Medical assistants can work in a variety of medical practices and are essential to keeping a physician's office running smoothly.
Associate's Degree in Medical Assisting
Most medical assisting associate's degree programs take 2 years to complete and can be obtained from most technical schools, on campus community colleges, or as an online degree. There are also some hospitals that will offer training academies that are designed to train medical assistants right in the hospital setting.
After graduating with your associate's degree in medical assisting you will have skills and knowledge that will allow you to assist and support a medical practice and the doctor's that work there. You will have clinical skills that include drawing blood, taking patients' vitals, or working next to the doctor to assist with examinations. You will also have the knowledge to work in an administrative role completing tasks such as organizing the office, filing patient's medical records, and filling out medical billing forms.
Degree Programs
While a general associate's degree in medical assisting will allow you to work in nearly any medical field or practice, many people want to work in a specific area. If this is a case for you, you will want to do your internship in the field that most interests you. There are also similar associate's degree programs that you could consider.
- Online Associate's Degree in Medical Office Management
- Associate's Degree in Health Administration Services
- Associate's Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant
Some individuals with an associate's degree in medical assisting also go on to 4 year schools to get degrees such as
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Online
- Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration
Finding a Career
There are many medical offices and labs that hire people for positions simply referred to as Medical Assistant. While this is a general title, the actual duties you would perform are going to depend on that particular employer's needs. Some of the other positions that graduates with an Associate's Degree in Medical Assisting might obtain are:
- Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Medical Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Medical Records Technician
