Coming from a long family of MDs, I know something about the challenges of pursuing a career in medicine. The long, difficult and expensive education, followed by a stressful and job-first approach career can be draining and is not always for everyone. However, this profession and field is one of the most personally fulfilling and rewarding jobs. You are changing the lives of your patients and their families, and every success will be felt, both on a personal and professional level. The skills you learn in a medical assistant program will help you save lives, and improve the medical experience and care of many.
If you are passionate about pursuing a job and career that is meaningful and can make a difference, pursuing a medical assistant career could be a great option for you. Not many people can afford the resources and sacrifices that medical school entails. This is why a growing number of people consider medical assisting programs. The Swedish Institute in NYC offers students the flexibility and hands-on experience necessary to be successful in this field.
It doesn’t matter what age you are or what career you are in currently. There are always opportunities to return to school or change career paths. You can earn a Medical Assisting Diploma in as little as 12 months. Many students are attracted to the program because of its flexibility and the ability to work in various healthcare environments with other healthcare professionals.
What do Medical Assistants Do?
Medical assistants work in all types of healthcare facilities. They are most commonly employed by medical clinics, working with patients, doctors and nurses.
Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical duties, as directed by a physician. Just like doctors and nurses, they are directly involved with patient care and treatment.
Here are a few of the duties medical assistants are expect to do:
- Scheduling patient appointments;
- Keeping medical records, with billing and coding information for insurance;
- Preparing patients for examination;
- Helping physicians with patient examinations;
- Taking and recording vital signs, such as blood pressure;
- Drawing blood and preparing blood samples for laboratory tests;
- Giving patients injections or medications as directed by a physician (in some states).
The roles and responsibilities of a medical assistant make for a dynamic work environment.
What are the Benefits of Becoming a Medical Assistant?
Here are some of the benefits of pursuing a career as a medical assistant:
- Most medical assistant programs can take you from the classroom to a job in as little as 12 months.
- You can work in a variety of locations, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, outpatient care centers, colleges & universities, nursing home facilities, medical research centers and more;
- You’ll be working directly with physicians and nurses, and interacting with patients regularly;
- You’ll be a part of the fastest growing industry in the country, where medical assistant positions are expected to grow 29 percent by 2029;
- Unlike some other medical positions, you’ll be able to work regular hours.
The flexibility of the medical assistant career makes it attractive to many different age groups and individuals looking for a more stable work schedule. If you have a passion for helping people, but need a predictable and stable schedule, medical assisting is a great choice.
Selecting the Right Medical Assistant School & Program
By taking the time to do research and select the right medical assistant school, you can find that same flexibility in the program, too.
When researching suitable programs, make sure the degree offered is authorized by your state and that you’ll be eligible to sit the Registered Medical Assistant Certification examination (RMA), provided by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Since you’ll have to learn how to perform both inter-office clinical and office skills, go for a reputable school that offers practical courses in both.
Swedish Institute’s Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant program is available in 6-quarter (18-month) and 7-quarter (21-month) course sequences, while the Medical Assistant Certificate program is only a 12-month course sequence. This allows you to plan your school timeline to fit your schedule and life.
Swedish Institute offers both day and evening classes. Their curriculum is designed to prepare students for the practice of clinical and administrative medical assisting with classes in bioscience, clinical procedures, diagnostic techniques, patient care, and office administration. You also get 200 hours of clinical externship experience in various medical offices, clinics and hospitals and an employment guidance for graduates. This hands-on opportunity gives you the experience to be successful.
If you are passionate about helping others, and pursuing a career in the medical field that is hands-on, has positive job outlook, and offers you a flexible and stable schedule, consider the medical assistant program at Swedish Institute.
