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Medical Assistant Program

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Program Info

  • Length Of Study:

    Certificate/ Certification 8-12 months of training; clinical externship (non-paid) accounts for 4-6 weeks (required).

  • Career Level:
    Entry-level program
  • Online Type:

    Asynchronous, Synchronous, Hybrid. On-campus labs are required depending on your assigned educational institution, maybe weekdays or weekends. Some education providers offer an opportunity for on-campus coursework.

About

Medical Assistant programs prepare you for jobs in demand right now and provide a stepping-stone to many allied healthcare careers.

Medical assistants are critical to the smooth running of doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities. They carry out a variety of administrative and clinical tasks under the supervision of a physician or nurse practitioner. Welcome patients, schedule appointments, handle medical records, bookkeeping, insurance billing, and coding are just a few of the administrative responsibilities. Recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, aiding the physician during examinations, collecting blood and other lab specimens, and providing drugs as ordered are all examples of clinical duties.

Length of Study

Certificate/ Certification 8-12 months of training; clinical externship (non-paid) accounts for 4-6 weeks (required).

Prerequisites

  • Jump Start Coursework
  • Proof of high school diploma/GED or equivalency
  • Satisfying proficiency in math, reading, and writing

Learning Outcomes

After completing the Futuro Health Medical Assistant Program, you will be able to:

  1. Skillfully perform and document routine clinical procedures according to current office protocol.
  2. Perform and document routine administrative procedures according to current office protocol.
  3. Collect, process, and test diagnostic specimens.
  4. Maintain industry standards of quality control and safety principles in the workplace.
  5. Uphold legal and ethical standards and confidentiality for patient privacy.
  6. Effectively apply verbal, nonverbal, and written communication principles and skills in the workplace.
  7. Demonstrate professionalism through acceptable attitude, organization and time-management skills, and attire.
  8. Demonstrate an understanding of the course materials for successful completion of the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Exam to earn your professional certification.

Online Type

Asynchronous, Synchronous, Hybrid. On-campus labs are required depending on your assigned educational institution, maybe weekdays or weekends. Some education providers offer an opportunity for on-campus coursework.

Credential Awarded

  • Certificate/ Certification

After successfully completing the Medical Assistant Program, you will be required to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification Exam offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), depending on your assigned education partner. Results of the certification exam offer proof to employers that you have achieved the highest standards of education and credentialing in the field.

Some medical assistant programs include a phlebotomy component that prepares you for:

  • National Phlebotomy Certification (NCPT) is offered through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
  • Licensure by a California Certified Phlebotomy Technician 1 (CPT1) licensing agency.

Occupation

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Chiropractor Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, Doctor's Assistant, Health Assistant, Ophthalmic Assistant, Ophthalmological Assistant, Optometric Assistant, Outpatient Surgery Assistant, Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

Career Level

Entry-level program

Student Support

During the enrollment process and while you are enrolled in the Medical Assistant Program, you will receive student support. Your Futuro Health Success Coach will provide you with enrollment assistance along with retention support depending on the educational institution you attend.

Student Cost

In support of our aim to grow the largest network of healthcare workers, Futuro Health provides generous financial support. Students will not pay tuition for the Medical Assistant Program as all such expenses are covered by some combination of Futuro Scholarship funding and federal need-based financial aid.

Students accepted into the Medical Assistant Program are eligible for a Futuro Health Scholarship after first, successfully submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and next agreeing to accept all financial grants awarded to them through the federal financial aid process.

Since financial grants awarded through the federal/state financial aid process depend on student income, the Futuro Health Scholarship amount varies per student.

Students can expect to pay some minimal out-of-pocket costs associated with the application and enrollment process. A summary of student costs are as follows:

  • $50 non-refundable registration fee for Jump Start coursework; a mandatory pre-requisite to the Medical Assistant Program.
  • $100 non-refundable registration fee for the Medical Assistant Program; to ensure participant commitment and completion.
  • $77–$119 Background Check and Drug Screen cost. A one-time background check and drug screen is required for those enrolling in clinical programs.
  • Up-to-date Immunization costs. Current immunizations are required for those enrolling in clinical programs. Some healthcare providers require payment for immunizations while others may cover the cost with insurance.
  • $20 per month for optional SEIU-UHW Membership. Students have the option to join SEIU-UHW’s Healthcare Justice Division to receive added benefits. This $20 monthly fee is waived for current SEIU-UHW members.

Futuro Health reserves the right to change or update this practice at any time.

Fast Facts

Job Outlook

California has a projected growth of 25% between 2018-2028, median annual salary $39,520

Work Environment

Medical assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, doctor offices, emergency rooms, long-term care facilities, and medical research centers.

Career Opportunities

As a medical assistant, you can improve your career in a variety of ways, including moving up into the following positions: Lead medical assistant, Supervising medical assistant, Clinical office manager, Case management assistant, Executive medical office secretary. There are even pathways for MA's with additional training to Licensed vocational nurse (LVN/LPN) and Registered nurse (RN).

Duties

  • Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
  • Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
  • Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
  • Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
  • Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
  • Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
  • Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
  • Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
  • Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
  • Greet and log in patients arriving at the office or clinic.
  • Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
  • Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
  • Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
  • Change dressings on wounds.
  • Schedule appointments for patients.
  • Inventory and order medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
  • Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or admission.
  • Operate x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), or other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
  • Set up medical laboratory equipment.
  • Keep financial records or perform other bookkeeping duties, such as handling credit or collections or mailing monthly statements to patients.

Day in the Life

A medical assistant's day can be both interesting and challenging. Your workweek will most likely be fast-paced and busy, whether you provide front office administrative support, back-office clinical support, or a combination of both. Medical helping is a rewarding profession. It needs a strong commitment to the profession and the desire to perform at your best every day.

Enrollment

Minimum Qualifications

  • Upon acceptance to a program with Futuro Health, will you seek a job in the field you were trained?
  • Are you able to provide proof of high school diploma/GED or equivalency?
  • Are you legally allowed to work in the United States?
  • Are you able to pass a background check with no felony conviction?
  • Are you willing to take a drug test if needed?
  • Are you willing to commit 3-5 hours per day (estimated at 20+ hours per week) of study time for your coursework?
  • Do you have regular access to high-speed Internet?
  • Do you have regular access to a computer or laptop that is less than seven years old?
    • NOTE: iPads and Chromebooks will not work.
  • Do you have proficiency in English fluency reading and comprehension?
  • Are you willing to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form if required by the education provider?
  • Are you comfortable working with bodily fluids such as blood, urine, and mucus?

  • Are you willing to complete and provide proof of all immunizations and vaccinations listed below? Please note that completing immunizations could take up to 6 months for unvaccinated individuals.

    • All Medical Assistant education providers require the following immunizations:

      • 2 x MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) or titer immunity in the last 3 months

      • 2 x Varicella (chickenpox) or titer immunity in the last 3 months

      • 3 x Hepatitis B or titer immunity in the last 3 months

      • 2 x COVID-19 and booster. For proof of injections there is a 3-week gap needed between the 1st and 2nd immunization. Students may need COVID boosters prior to the start of their externship

      • A PPD Mantoux test (TB), blood titer, or chest X-ray showing non-infection is required. Most often, this is not required until nearing your externship start date (typically within 6 months). This is either a one or two-step PPD Mantoux test.

  • Are you able to commit to the externship requirements listed below?

    • All patient care programs require full-time clinical externships in order to graduate, which may require you to:

      • Coordinate your work and family obligations, if applicable.

      • Have Monday-Friday availability up to 40 hours per week until your externship hours are fulfilled.

      • Maintain flexibility to attend externships based on available locations and external site offerings provided to you by your educational provider. Providers are not able to secure externship locations based on personal preference.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Family or friend referred by a member of SEIU-UHW who is in good standing.
  • Have a proficient level of attention to detail in written and verbal communication.

Additional Requirements

Additional requirements to consider before enrolling in Futuro Health's Medical Assistant Program:

  • Reliable transportation: You will be expected to have reliable transportation to attend any in-person requirements.
  • Up-to-date immunizations: You will need to get up-to-date immunization records, which is required when enrolling in a clinical program.
  • English fluency: It is recommended you have at least intermediate English fluency to successfully complete the course. If you are unsure of your fluency level, you can take our English-readiness assessment.
  • Two official copies of your high school diploma/transcripts or GED certificate.

Disclaimer: Futuro Health reserves the right to change or update program requirements and qualifications at any time.