Becoming a medical assistant requires completing an appropriate training program. If you’re considering one, you may wonder how long medical assistant programs are. They vary in terms of length, depending on the school’s schedule and curriculum.

Pennco Tech provides a Medical Assistant program at campuses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Here, we discuss the time it takes to complete your medical assistant training at our school.

Medical Assistant Training at Pennco Tech

At Pennco Tech, our Medical Assistant classes are available in both day and evening schedules, and the duration of the program depends on what schedule you choose. The program can be completed in about 18 weeks (five months) for daytime classes and about 50 weeks (12 months) for evening classes. The scheduling flexibility allows students to tailor their classes to their other commitments and lifestyles.

No matter which campus or schedule you choose, you can expect approximately 600 hours of coursework. Each option’s curriculum includes the same in-depth information. Courses and labs cover the following:

• Administrative software
• Financial procedures
• Risk management
• Communication with technology
• Safety with biohazardous materials
• Medical laws and ethics

Students are taught about patient privacy and conduct regarding private health information (PHI). They will also become familiar with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws and privacy standards.

Focusing on Skill Development for Medical Assistants

Students enrolled in the Medical Assistant program are introduced to a valuable assortment of skills, including clinical and administrative skills. They include:

• Managing patient records: This involves updating medical records, conditions, and medications for patients while obeying privacy laws.
• Learning administrative skills: This involves scheduling appointments, completing paperwork, and handling PHI safely when documenting patient information.
• Taking vital signs: This includes taking patients’ weight, height, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and temperature for accurate diagnosis and documentation.
• Handling medical billing: Medical assistants must know how to correspond with insurance companies and patients about their claims.
• Communicating with patients: This skill is necessary for scheduling appointments, taking medical histories, and providing patient education.
• Collecting lab samples: This involves a variety of tasks, such as drawing blood and collecting urine samples, to help doctors test for certain conditions.
• Administering medications: This may include helping patients with injections, inserting IVs, and educating patients on prescriptions.

Our Medical Assistant program helps students develop both hard and soft skills, helping them connect with patients on an empathetic level. Students are well-prepared for the demands of the healthcare field, including laboratory work, clinical practices, and administrative training.

Benefits of Pursuing a Career as a Medical Assistant

If you want to become a medical assistant, there are many reasons to do so. The benefits of pursuing a career as a medical assistant include:

Reliable Earning Potential

Medical assistants earn competitive pay in the healthcare field. In New Jersey, medical assistants earn about $46,000 annually; in Pennsylvania, medical assistants earn around $42,940 annually. As experience is gained, earning potential can increase. Becoming certified can also help medical assistants earn more.

Strong Job Security

There is a growing demand for medical assistants, which ensures students have a secure role in the healthcare field. With the growing demand for medical assistants in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices, students can find a long-term role.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistant job openings are projected to increase by 15% through 2033, much faster than average. About 120,000 job openings are estimated each year.

Flexible Work Opportunities

Many medical assistants enjoy flexible scheduling and workplaces during their careers. Some employers offer evening or weekend shifts, which are ideal for some workers, depending on their other responsibilities. For administrative roles, remote or hybrid work can be an option. If they want a change of pace, medical assistants may also be able to change settings, such as a moving from work at a doctor’s office to a hospital job.

Career Advancement Opportunities for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants have several ways to advance their careers, including specializing in cardiology, pediatrics, dermatology, and phlebotomy. Many medical assistants choose to continue their education and get certified to become registered nurses, phlebotomists, or even coding and billing specialists.

Learn More About the Medical Assistant Program at Pennco Tech

The Medical Assistant program at Pennco Tech allows most students to accomplish their training in five months to a year, depending on the chosen schedule.

Pennco Tech has highly experienced instructors with years of experience, and we also have modern facilities with access to lab equipment. We offer financial aid for qualified students and have a career services department, which helps students connect with potential employers. To learn more about the medical assistant program offered at our campuses in Bristol, PA, and Blackwood, NJ, please contact us today.