The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020) notes that aspiring medical assistants must typically attend a postsecondary education program lasting from one to two years, which includes instruction in subjects such as anatomy and medical terminology. And their role in the industry is becoming more and more essential. © 2021 Rasmussen College, LLC. The path to becoming a medical assistant will vary. Medical assisting requires hands-on learning as well as by-the-book knowledge. Rasmussen College does not guarantee, approve, control, or specifically endorse the information or products available on websites linked to, and is not endorsed by website owners, authors and/or organizations referenced. Find Schools. Meanwhile, associate degrees in medical assisting are mostly offered at community colleges and take two years to complete. How long does it take to become a certified medical assistant? How Long does it Take to Become a Medical Assistant. So, what are employers looking for in medical assistant candidates? Total a Required Medical Aide Program (1– 2 years). MAs need to master certain skills and build an understanding of how medical environments work and what their role is within one. Curriculum, relevancy of sample programs, and outcomes will vary by school. If you’re eager to become a professional and get a job quickly, medical assisting could be a great move, for men as well as women. One role you might find appealing is that of a medical assistant (MA). Clean up. So, how long does it take to become a medical assistant? Medical assistants are the backbone of healthcare offices, providing support to physicians and helping patients, and becoming one only takes as few as 10 months up to 2 years. Please select another program of interest. “If a student is full-time, the Medical Assisting program is approximately one year,” says Denise Pufall, department chair of the Medical Assisting program at Rasmussen College. Besides a Degree, What Else is Needed to Become a Medical Assistant? Although you could get a job as a medical assistant at a physicians office and learn the skills, you may be better off spending 6 months to 2 years and becoming certified or registered and having an associates degree. 2Time to completion is dependent on the number of transfer credits accepted and courses completed each term. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent through 2026, much faster than the average occupation.1. This Diploma program is an appealing option for anyone who wants to work in healthcare but may be wary of a multi-year commitment to college. If you’ve looked into this career before, you probably know how essential medical assistants are to the clinics, hospitals and long-term care facilities that hire them. Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited college authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Our employers comment all the time on how professional our students and graduates are when entering their facilities.”. You then can acquire a license, certification and registration. Here’s how to become a medical assistant and a spotlight on what they do. Nov 6, 2015 - If you’re considering becoming a medical assistant, you might hesitate at the thought of the time it will take, but fear not—you could be finished sooner than you imagine! Ask yourself these questions to help decide what’s best for you. Some of these skills might already be part of your life right now—but much of the rest will be covered as part of the Medical Assisting program curriculum. How Much Does It Cost to Become a Medical Assistant? These professionals are often the first people a patient will interact with in the healthcare facility—making the “soft” or transferrable skills of the job just as important as the more technical aspects. Fulfilling the prerequisites to become a medical assistant will take somewhere between nine months and two years. In as little as 17 months of full time schooling, you can earn your medical assisting degree and join the 584,970 medical assistants already providing vital services in communities across America. That starts by requesting information about Ameritech’s medical assistant program. This institution requires medical assistants to take and pass a certification examination that determines if they are properly prepared for this profession. We used real-time job analysis software to determine the top-five soft and technical skills employers are seeking for this occupation. And what should you expect from a Medical Assisting program? In some cases, you might even be able to start a career right away with a medical office or clinic that offers on-the-job training. Fill out the form to receive information about: There are some errors in the form. How Long Does It Take To Become A Medical Assistant? Accredited On-Campus Training Programs: The traditional approach to medical assistant training is an on campus training program that generally takes 9-12 months to complete for a diploma program or two years for an associate’s degree. It can take you two years or less to become a certified medical assistant. It takes about 2 years to go through the Masters Physician assistant program before getting the degree. To facilitate the best learning and preparation possible, Medical Assisting programs have both classroom instruction and lab work where the learning is applied. At Purdue Global, the Medical Assistant Certificate program can be completed in less than 15 months of full-time study. “If students are part-time, it may take a little longer.”2. The position of physician assistant is also very vital in the world of medicine as they are trained to handle a very broad spectrum of tasks while under the supervision of a physician or surgeon. The process of certification can add 2 months to your timeline. With that said, you should also start researching schools as early as possible.There are a number of paths to take towards your education. Brianna is a content writer for Collegis Education who writes student focused articles on behalf of Rasmussen College. In any case, hearing the call isn’t enough. Pursue Your Goal to Become a Medical Assistant With Purdue Global Enter zip: By selecting "Submit", I authorize Rasmussen College to contact me by email, phone or text message at the number provided. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. Related resource: How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant? What Do Medical Assistants Do? The transition from graduation to employment is an important step, which is a big part of why Rasmussen College gives students the opportunity to confidently sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam—a certification many employers prefer in MAs they hire. 08.24.2020. Medical assistants need a combination of skills to thrive. But you might not know what it takes to get there. If you do not do this within your 2 years of time, y… Become a certified medical assistant (CMA) through the American Association of Medical Assistants. “We are extremely proud of the professionalism that our students demonstrate both in class and out in their externships. Maintain the AAMA (CMA) Credential (every 60 months). What is a Physician Assistant? What is the Demand for Medical Assistants? Apply for the certification and study as much as you can before your test date. The course teaches you a variety of things like Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology, Pharmacology, Clinical medicine and medical laws and Ethics. The average certificate program costs anywhere between $2,500-$10,000, depending on the state. Looking for more course information? A medical assistant is required to complete an accredited program that takes between six months and one year of training. Certificate programs, typically offered by technical-vocational schools, generally last one year. More info. “In our residential courses, students receive a great deal of hands-on experience where they learn various patient care techniques, how to assist with procedures, patient triage strategies, administrative duties and how to carry themselves professionally.”. Alternatively, you could opt to earn an associate’s degree in medical assisting, which typically takes around two years. Working onsite in this training capacity allows students to perform the MA job duties under supervision in both the front-office administrative and the back-office clinical areas. 2.1 1. In addition, if you are in a medical assistant program, completion times depend on course load and program. People that want to become certified medical assistants have two educational pathways. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. This takes about 2 years for most applicants to complete. In that intervie… It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make! Medical Assisting programs typically take about a year to complete, according to the BLS.