Joining the healthcare profession is a commendable goal. For many, however, the length and expense of nursing or medical school may feel impractical right now. Medical assistant training offers a more approachable alternative. The medical assistant program offered by Pennco Tech takes as few as 18 weeks to complete, letting students move quickly into their brand-new careers. Find out more about medical assisting, career outlooks, and training requirements with Pennco Tech, with campuses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

What Do Medical Assistants Do?

Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who work directly with doctors and nurses. They provide vital support to other medical staff, ensuring the facility runs smoothly. Almost every healthcare facility employs medical assistants. This means certified assistants can find work in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Dental offices
• Nursing homes
• Physical therapy clinics

The day-to-day duties of medical assistants may vary between placements. Certain states also impose different restrictions on which services a medical assistant may perform. Depending on where they are working, a medical assistant may be responsible for:

• Greeting patients in person and on the phone
• Scheduling appointments and hospital visits
• Completing insurance forms
• Handling billing and bookkeeping
• Assisting during physical exams
• Managing medical histories
• Discussing prescriptions and refills
• Removing stitches or wound dressings
• Administering medication
• Performing basic lab and medical tests

Medical assisting is a great career choice for people who are interested in a healthcare career, but don’t want to invest several years into medical or nursing school. It’s also a good option for people who prefer a more supportive role.

Medical Assistant Job Outlook

Currently, the job outlook for medical assistants is excellent. All kinds of facilities rely on medical assistants to maintain their efficiency. This increases the need for skilled assistants, especially when the healthcare industry is constantly changing.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) currently predicts a 14% growth for medical assistant employment between 2022 through 2032. This is much faster than the average for other career fields, with about 114,600 new openings projected each year. Medical assistants have access to plenty of opportunities, with the ability to travel anywhere in the country and find work. They also enjoy excellent job security.

In addition, a medical assisting certificate opens the door to earning advanced certifications. Earning these credentials allows medical assistants to take on more challenging work and higher-level positions. This makes it a career with great upward mobility for those who wish to advance to other roles within the healthcare field.

What Training Is Required to Be a Medical Assistant?

Though medical assisting has a lower entry threshold than other healthcare professions, it still has some requirements. To become a medical assistant, you must earn a Medical Assistant or Clinical Medical Assistant certification. You can train for the exam through a trade school program, like the medical assistant program at Pennco Tech.

Most training programs, such as the one provided by Pennco Tech, require applicants to have earned a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED). Our program takes as little as 18 months from start to completion. Once you have finished, you’ll have the skills you need to succeed in a medical assisting career. You’ll also be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. Passing the test qualifies you to work as a medical assistant.

The Cost of Medical Assistant Training

Like any post-secondary education, it comes with a tuition. In many cases, however, the tuition is worth the investment into your future. If you struggle to cover the cost of medical assistant training, financial assistance may be available. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to all students seeking postsecondary education and may qualify you for federal loans. Financial aid options available to students who qualify include:

• Grants
• Scholarships
• Stafford and private educational loans
• Veterans’ educational benefits
• Third-party contracts
• Sallie Mae

With the right assistance, a medical assistant program is well within reach for many students. The remaining expense can be considered an investment in your future: pay a set price now to improve your opportunities and income in the long run.

Enroll in Trade School Training in Pennsylvania or New Jersey

If you are ready to invest in your future career, consider medical assistant training at Pennco Tech. We maintain campuses in Bristol, PA, and Blackwood, NJ, training students across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Students also can access the career services department, offering resume advice, interview clothes donations, and more to help graduates secure positions. Contact us to learn more about our training programs.