If you are interested in healthcare but want to start your career without spending several years in school, medical assisting may be a career path worth exploring. Medical assistants play an important role in healthcare settings, supporting both patients and providers with clinical and administrative responsibilities.
At United Career Institute (UCI), we understand that choosing a healthcare career is a big decision. That’s why we offer career-focused training designed to help students build practical skills and prepare for opportunities in the healthcare field. If you are considering medical assisting, keep reading this blog to find answers to seven of the most frequently asked questions about this career.
What Is Medical Assisting?
Medical assisting is a healthcare career that combines clinical and administrative responsibilities. Medical assistants work alongside physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to help keep medical offices running smoothly while providing support to patients.
Because medical assistants handle both clinical and administrative tasks, the career provides a variety of responsibilities throughout the day. Medical assistants may interact with patients, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other members of the healthcare team.
Medical assistants can work in various healthcare environments, including physician offices, outpatient clinics, specialty practices, and other medical facilities.
What does a Medical Assistant Do?
Depending on their role and workplace, medical assistants may perform tasks such as:
- Updating medical records
- Preparing examination rooms
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Preparing patients for examinations
- Taking and recording patient vital signs
- Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
- Assisting healthcare providers during examinations
- Communicating with patients and healthcare providers
What Is Required to Become a Medical Assistant?
One of the first steps toward becoming a medical assistant is completing the appropriate education and training. Students typically learn about both the clinical and administrative sides of healthcare. Coursework may cover topics such as medical terminology, anatomy, patient care, medical office procedures, phlebotomy, laboratory procedures, EKGs, and medical billing and coding.
Hands-on training is an important part of preparing for a career in medical assisting. Practicing skills in a controlled learning environment can help students become more comfortable performing clinical procedures and interacting with patients.
While requirements can vary depending on the employer and position, completing a medical assisting program can help aspiring medical assistants develop the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for entry-level opportunities. Depending on career goals, it may be a good idea to pursue professional certification.
What is a Medical Assistant Certificate?
A medical assistant certificate is a professional credential earned after passing a certification exam. Earning a certification demonstrates that a medical assistant has met established, third-party, industry-based standards.
Do Medical Assistants Need to be Certified?
Passing the exam and earning your certification can demonstrate to employers that a medical assistant has the skills and knowledge needed to work as a medical assistant. Certification requirements can vary by employer and position, so research the expectations for the specific jobs you are interested in.
How Do You Become a Medical Assistant?
If you’re ready to begin your healthcare career as a medical assistant, UCI offers two medical assisting training programs to help you build the skills you need: our 12-month Medical Assisting diploma program and 18-month Clinical Medical Assistant degree program. Both programs provide career-focused training designed to prepare students for entry-level opportunities in healthcare.
Both programs can prepare students to sit for the following National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exams: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)*, Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)**, and Certified EKG/ECG Technician (CET)**. Through career-focused coursework and hands-on training, students can build the knowledge and skills needed to prepare for a certification exam. Earning a professional credential can help demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the medical assisting field as you begin pursuing opportunities in healthcare.
What Is the Difference Between a Medical Assistant and a Nurse?
Medical assistants and nurses both work directly with patients and are important members of the healthcare team, but their education, responsibilities, and roles are different.
Medical assistants generally support healthcare providers with a combination of clinical and administrative tasks. Their responsibilities may include taking vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with certain procedures, managing medical records, scheduling appointments, and performing other duties within their scope of practice and workplace requirements.
Nurses, on the other hand, have a broader clinical role focused on patient care. Depending on their level of education and licensure, nurses may assess patients, develop and implement care plans, administer medications, monitor patient conditions, educate patients and families, and perform other nursing responsibilities.
The educational paths are also different. Medical assistants typically complete a focused medical assisting program, while becoming a registered nurse generally requires completing an approved nursing education program and meeting applicable licensure requirements.
Medical assisting and nursing are different healthcare professions with different responsibilities and educational pathways. For students interested in entering healthcare, understanding these differences can help you determine which career aligns with your interests and goals.
Become a Medical Assistant with UCI
If you enjoy helping people, are interested in healthcare, and want a career that combines patient interaction with clinical and administrative responsibilities, medical assisting may be an option to consider.
At United Career Institute, our medical assisting training programs are designed to provide career-focused training that can help you develop the skills needed to pursue entry-level opportunities in the healthcare field. With hands-on learning and instruction focused on practical skills, you can prepare for the responsibilities of a medical assistant while working toward your career goals.
Ready to take the next step? Request information today to connect with an admissions team member and learn more.
*Certification is contingent upon passing the corresponding certification exam. Required/Included in Tuition/Fees.
**Certification is contingent upon passing the corresponding certification exam. Optional at own expense.
Certifying entities are independent and not affiliated with or connected to United Career Institute in any manner.