Becoming a medical assistant can be a rewarding career for those who want to help people. To become one in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, proper medical assistant training is required from an accredited program. At Pennco Tech, we are proud to offer a Medical Assistant program at campuses in Bristol, PA, and Blackwood, NJ, which is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Here, learn more about the training involved in our Medical Assistant curriculum.

Skills Taught at Our Medical Assistant Trade School

Pennco Tech trade school has been training tomorrow’s workforce for over 50 years in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Graduates of the Medical Assistant program aim to establish themselves in a variety of medical and healthcare settings, such as primary care offices, urgent care centers, and testing laboratories. Students will learn to perform clinical tasks, such as performing laboratory tests and collecting samples.

The program lasts about 18 weeks, over the course of four months. It is available during the day and evening at campus locations in Bristol, PA, and Blackwood, NJ. Entry requirements are a high school diploma or GED.

Students will have the chance to learn through interactive medical technology to simulate office environments and master several skills included in the program’s curriculum. Other topics covered in the program include:

• Medical terminology: Students are taught terms related to anatomy, physiology, and medical conditions.
• Patient connections: Students are instructed on communicating well with patients, doctors, and colleagues to delegate tasks within a medical setting.
• Documentation of medical records: Students form an understanding of medical coding, taking medical histories, and updating accurate information within patient files.
• Clinical skills: Students are taught how to check vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure and how to administer injections.

Building these skills as a medical assistant is essential for patient health, accuracy, and integrity within healthcare settings. Attending an accredited training program can help teach aspiring medical assistants the skills they need to know.

National Healthcareer Association’s PersonAbility Program

Pennco Tech offers the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) PersonAbility program, which is a tool dedicated to building essential soft skills for a long-term career in healthcare. The program is associated with the Medical Assistant training program, which blends healthcare and patient care scenarios for students to practice. This resource provides much-needed insight into the world of becoming a professional healthcare worker.

For healthcare workers, communication and soft skills training are essential for providing quality patient care. Additionally, many employers feel that medical assistants need to improve their teamwork, emotional intelligence, and communication skills while performing work tasks. PersonAbility aids students in building these skills through online learning and assessment through simulations.

The Medical Assistant program allows students to learn in a controlled environment without worrying about making mistakes. Many find the PersonAbility program an ideal bridge between learning and simulation while preparing for future career advancement.

Advantages of a Medical Assistant Career in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Some of the benefits of a medical assistant career in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are the positive outlook for job growth in the healthcare field and the stability of the job. There’s a growing demand for medical assistants in the field because of the aging population and the increasing need for necessary medical services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job openings for medical assistants are projected to rise 15% through 2033.

Medical assistants can work in a variety of healthcare settings and can specialize in areas such as phlebotomy or medical coding. The career itself is a rewarding experience with a direct impact on patient care.

Medical Assistant Careers in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, medical assistants make an average of $42,940 per year. Job openings are projected to rise by 15% through 2033, which equates to about 4,000 openings per year. Completing an accredited training program can help qualify aspiring MAs for these jobs.

Medical Assistant Careers in New Jersey

In New Jersey, medical assistants earn $46,000 annually, on average. Job projections for medical assistants in the state will increase by 18%, with a projection of 3,100 openings each year through 2032. By attending an accredited training program, medical assistants gain important skills that can make them more prepared to fulfill these openings.

Learn More About Medical Assistant Training at Pennco Tech

Whether you want to work as a medical assistant in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, Pennco Tech is standing by to help you begin your journey, offering financial aid for qualified students. For more information about our Medical Assistant program or other vocational school programs, contact us today.