Become A Medical Assistant In 5 Steps

Become A Medical Assistant In 5 Steps

Working as a medical assistant allows you to find stable and rewarding employment in the growing healthcare industry, and getting qualified for this new career path is faster and simpler than you might think! Here’s how to start a career in medical assisting, explained step by step.

How to Become a Medical Assistant

1.     Get a high school diploma or GED

You don’t need a four-year or even two-year college degree to work as a medical assistant. Having a high school diploma or equivalent is a necessary prerequisite for almost all paths to becoming a medical assistant, however. If you still need to get your high school diploma or equivalent, PCI Health Training Center’s Eligible Career Pathways Program allows you to work on getting your GED at the same time as you train for a career in healthcare.

2.     Choose your training path

Working as a medical assistant requires specialized training. You might have many different options to consider when deciding where to get this specialized education. One challenge that working adults often encounter when trying to get the training they need for a new career is trying to find time for their classes while also keeping up with the demands of an existing job. PCI Health Training Center offers a medical assistant training program in a hybrid online format that allows students to study on their own time with limited on-campus commitments.

3.     Complete your training

During the course of your medical assistant training, you should get instruction in essential clinical and administrative skills like checking vital signs, performing common lab tests, assisting with exams, transcribing patient medical information, updating patient records, and coordinating the scheduling of patient appointments. Make sure that the program you choose gives you a chance to practice the skills you’re learning hands-on. In PCI’s hybrid online medical assistant program, you’ll complete a 200-hour externship in a real healthcare facility.

4.     Get certified

There are various professional certifications you can pursue as a medical assistant. While they may not be strictly necessary to find employment, they can give you a leg up in your job search. Some of the most popular medical assisting certifications include the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential from the American Association of Medical Assistants and the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential from the National Healthcare Association. A good training program like the one offered by PCI should prepare you to take the exams required for certifications.

5.     Apply for jobs

Medical assistant training programs vary in length. PCI’s hybrid online program can be completed in as little as nine months. Once you’ve finished your training, you’ll be ready to start applying for jobs. Working as a medical assistant gives you an entry point into the growing healthcare industry. With PCI’s training as a foundation, this work experience will set you up to follow various specialized career paths depending on your interests, such as medical office management or phlebotomy.

Start a New Career with PCI’s Medical Assistant Program

PCI Health Training Center’s hybrid medical assistant program can help you prepare for a more stable and rewarding new career while balancing the demands of family commitments or a current job. You can complete large parts of your classwork online at your own pace and still get the necessary practical instruction to excel in your new role. Enroll today or contact us for more info.