What Subjects Are Taken in Medical Assistant School?
Are thinking about going to school to be a medical assistant? Is is certainly a good profession to be getting into. Did you realize that job growth for medical assistants is expected to continue to rise for the next 5 years? Perhaps that’s why you are considering this career choice.
It’s very important to get training of some kind before you become a medical assistant. There are a number of good programs out there that can prepare you for your career. But what kinds of subjects are taught? Are they difficult?
Today, we’ll go over some of the basic classes that you’ll find in your curriculum, and what these classes entail.
Clerical and Administrative Skills
Computer Skills – You will be taught basic computer skills that you’ll need to learn in your office.
Medical Law and Ethics – It is vital to know the laws regarding patients, their medical records, and how to properly care for patients.
The Keeping of Records – You’ll learn about patient privacy, how to take and keep accurate records, properly procedures and policies and how to properly chart what procedures have been performed.
Medical Transcription – You may also need to learn how to transcribe your doctor’s words into legal documents in an appropriate, legal and binding manner.
Insurance — Learn how to handle insurance claims and work as a liason between the patients and their insurance company.
Clinical and Medical Skills
Normal Procedures – You will learn the “basics” of medical assisting. This will include first aid, taking patient’s vital signs, and the normal tests and examinations that are done by CMA’s.
Anatomy – A basic anatomy of the human body must be learned, so that you are familiar with all parts of the human body.
Laboratory Work – Learn how to perform work in the laboratory, use the machines, draw blood, prepare samples and many other lab functions.
Pharmacology – Learn how to properly prepare prescriptions, how to read prescriptions, and the basic about how drugs and prescriptions work, as well as the dangers involved in this field.
Possible Courses
Phlebotomy – The study of drawing blood, either for transfusion or tests
X-ray/Radiologist – How to properly take X-rays for diagnosis of injuries.
Microbiology – Having to do with cells, molecules and other bodily functions not able to be seen by the human eye.
As you can see, there is a wide range of subjects that will be taught in your schooling as a medical assistant. You will learn all of these things, whether you go to school for one year, or for two years.
If you do go to school for two years, though, you’ll also take many other courses that may not directly apply to medical assisting. This is normal for any kind of associates degree. However, these “prerequisites” will come in handy if you decide to go ahead and get a 4 year degree at some point in the future.
Hopefully this may answer some of the questions you may have regarding the types of courses and studies that you will learn as you get your medical assistant certification. A visit with the school you’d like to attend can give you in great detail the exact course names and have you fully prepared for the start of your schooling.