What Level of Education Should a Medical Assistant Have?

Medical assistant students practicing phlebotomy skills during hands-on training in a clinical education lab setting.

Medical assistants work alongside physicians and nurses, performing clinical and clerical tasks. This health care role is diverse, with ample job opportunities and outstanding stability. A medical assistant career may fit people with an interest in the health care industry who haven't decided between an administrative and clinical role. A medical assistant does a little of everything, so this role is a good starting point for a career in health care.

Educational Options for Medical Assistants

Medical assistant student in scrubs smiling at desk, representing degree and training options in health care careers

How To Become a Medical Assistant

There is no singular career path for medical assisting. Medical assistants can choose between a short diploma program and an in-depth associate science degree in medical assisting. Either option can offer the background necessary to begin this career relatively quickly. Consider your choices carefully to find the right career for you.

Certificate Programs

Certificate or diploma programs offer the fastest route to a career as a medical assistant. The typical duration of a certificate program is nine to 12 months. These programs usually focus exclusively on knowledge for medical assistants and don't include general topics or electives. This concise approach helps students graduate as quickly as possible.

The Medical Assistant diploma program at Concorde Career College takes as few as nine months to complete. Available at all 17 Concorde campuses, this diploma program provides the opportunity to learn how to:

Schedule and receive patients
Prepare and maintain medical records
Take patient vitals and medical history
Perform basic first aid and CPR
Complete infection control procedures
Conduct common diagnostic tests
Prepare lab samples

Associate Degree Programs

The Medical Assisting Associate of Applied Science Degree offers a more in-depth program. This program typically includes 60 credit hours and may take 17 months to two years to complete. The degree program provides a broader education and includes some general topics. The associate degree program is available at Concorde's Southaven, MS or Memphis, TN campuses.

Pursue a Medical Assisting Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mississippi

Pursue a Medical Assisting Associate of Applied Science Degree in Tennessee

Comparison of Certificate vs. Associate Degree

Choosing between medical assistant certifications can be challenging. An associate degree may give a medical assistant a competitive edge in this career field. Employers often prefer applicants with degrees rather than diplomas, particularly when all else is equal on their applications.

But, a diploma program is a shorter and more affordable course that may better suit the needs of people who want to start their careers as soon as possible. Students can complete the diploma program and pursue a medical assisting associate degree later.

View all Concorde Medical Assistant Diploma Programs

Curriculum and Skills

Want to become a Medical Assistant? Concorde offers a medical assistant program.

A medical assisting diploma or degree provides knowledge and experience in key areas such as medical terminology, anatomy, and lab procedures. Certification is essential to gaining employment as a medical assistant.

Common Topics in Medical Assisting Programs

Whether choosing a medical assistant associate degree or a diploma program, students' coursework will typically include:

Anatomy and physiology
Pathology
Body systems
Medical terminology
Venipuncture
Electrocardiography
Medical front office procedures
Laboratory diagnostic procedures

An associate degree may also include general education elements, such as:

Computer science
English composition
College algebra
General psychology
Introduction to sociology

Clinical Skills

Medical assistants require a solid foundation in basic clinical skills to properly complete patients' charts and assist supervising physicians. These skills include:

Taking vitals, including blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate, and pulse rate
Drawing blood (phlebotomy)
Performing basic laboratory procedures
Administering medications
Performing ECGs
Providing wound care and dressings
Removing sutures
Assisting with patient examinations
Preparing exam rooms

Administrative Skills

Medical assistants handle many administrative tasks in the front office. Medical administration requires a robust skill set that includes:

Answering the phone
Setting appointments
Managing medical records
Inputting and maintaining insurance information
Handling referrals for specialist care or tests
Maintaining electronic health records
Taking inventory of office and clinical supplies
Submitting orders for new supplies
Billing and medical coding
Communicating verbally and in writing
Managing and organizing a medical office
Multitasking and time management
Using medical software

Certification and Licensure

Medical assistants have no standard licensure but can pursue several certifications in this field. Certification isn't always required, but it can improve applicants' employability and demonstrate their commitment to this career path.

National Certification Options

The gold standard of medical assistant certifications is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) designation from the American Association of Medical Assistants. To sit for the CMA exam, candidates must graduate from an appropriate medical assistant program that includes anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and relevant math.

The CMA exam includes 200 questions administered in four 40-minute sections. To maintain CMA certification, medical assistants must retake the exam or complete 60 continuing education hours every 60 months.

Though less prestigious, other organizations offer medical assistant certifications, including:

Registered Medical Assistant from American Medical Technologists
National Certified Medical Assistant from the National Center for Competency Testing
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant from the National Healthcareer Association
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant from the National Healthcareer Association
Registered Medical Assistant from American Allied Health
Medical Assistant Certification from the American Medical Certification Association
Clinical Medical Assistant Certification from the American Medical Certification Association

State Requirements

Washington is the only state that requires registration for all medical assistants. However, 10 states require specialized training or certification for specific tasks such as administering medication or drawing blood. Medical assistants in any state may enjoy better employment opportunities if certified. Applicants should check their state's requirements for a more detailed understanding of the certification they need.

Career Outlook and Advancement

Medical assistant taking patient’s blood pressure, showing potential for career growth in allied health care.

Medical assistants are well positioned for a long and successful career in health care. There's great demand for these health care professionals and plenty of opportunities for career advancement with continuing education.

Job Growth

Medical assistants can anticipate a projected 15% increase in job opportunities between 2023 and 2033. This growth is nearly four times higher than the national average of 4% for all occupations and even outpaces the 12% growth projected for other health care support occupations.

Much of this growth is due to the aging baby boomer generation. These seniors are aging into retirement and leaving job openings. They're also entering a time when they may require additional medical care. Medical assistants are perfectly poised to assist with the growing need for health care professionals by offering clinical and clerical skills to help fill the gaps in any health care environment.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Once a medical assistant has some industry experience, they may find that they'd prefer to focus on either clerical or clinical work. Concorde offers the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration for advanced opportunities in the non-clinical side of health care. This degree route for graduates of associate degree programs in healthcare-related fields may offer opportunities in the medical office manager or health care administrator fields.

Those who discover a passion for hands-on patient care may choose to pursue an associate degree in Nursing to become a registered nurse.

Choosing the Right Educational Path

Whether you're interested in a medical assistant associate degree or a shorter diploma program, it's important to choose the right school for your education. Look for an accredited program that can prepare you to sit for the CMA exam upon completion. The best programs include internships or externships so you can get hands-on experience with clinical tasks. Stay open to constructive criticism throughout your education and maintain a professional demeanor to prepare yourself for a successful career in medical assisting.

If you're interested in working as a medical assistant, Concorde can help you get started on your educational path. With both diploma programs and associate degree options, there's something for every type of student.

Medical Assistants : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019, September 4). Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6

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Career Insights Nursing student learning to check IV fluid levels during hands-on training session

Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.
Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.
Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.
Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.
Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.

What Level of Education Should a Medical Assistant Have?