Are you interested in becoming a medical assistant? To become a medical assistant, you can complete trade school training.
Students will study concept and take part in hands-on training to prepare themselves for the field. They’ll learn to assist in EKG, x-ray procedures, first aid and phlebotomy, perform clinical procedures, prepare a patient for physical exams and assist the physician with other exams.
The job outlook for medical assistants is growing as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment is projected to grow 29% [1] between 2016 and 2026. When preparing to become a medical assistant, it is important to be aware of training costs.
What Is A Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants typically have a variety of duties that correlate to aiding patients and providing care, like recording patient information. A medical assistant can perform a number of tasks [2] like:
- Record patient history and personal information
- Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure
- Help physicians with patient examinations
- Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians and as permitted by state law
- Schedule patient appointments
- Prepare blood samples for laboratory tests
- Enter patient information into medical records
Where Can I Study and How Much Does It Cost to Become a Medical Assistant?
Trade schools, like Midwest Technical Institute (MTI), may offer the following training that will equip students with the necessary skills for entering the medical industry.
The MTI Medical Assisting Program is a 9-month (35-week) program that can include night or daytime classes, depending on campus location. Students will learn to help the physician with minor surgical procedures and can sterilize and care for instruments.
Students will learn to effectively handle administrative office procedures including electronic record keeping, keyboarding, billing, coding, scheduling and insurance claims.
MTI classes included in the Medical Assisting Program are:
- Introduction to Medical Assisting
- Body Organization with Billing & Coding
- Body System & Testing with Office Management
- Phlebotomy & Injections with Communications
- Body Systems with Life Span Care & Ethics
- Externship Review Class & Externship
Community colleges may also offer medical assisting programs. These programs are typically a two- or four-year minimum commitment and may require full-time enrollment. According to a 2019 report, the majority of students in the U.S. pay between $6,000 and $15,000* in tuition per year for both public and private two-year schools [3].
*These tuition ranges do not include room and board, books and supplies, transportation or other expenses and fees.
How Can I Pay For Medical Assisting Training?
Financial aid is available to students who qualify. Financial aid can include:
- FAFSA
- Federal Grants
- Federal Low-Interest Student Loans
- GI Bill Assistance
- The Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
- Scholarships
The Financial Aid Office at MTI is available to assist with necessary paperwork and answer tuition questions.
Becoming a medical assistant can start with the proper training and understanding of tuition costs. Contact the MTI Admissions Team to learn more about the program.
Sources
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6 [2] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-2 [3] https://www.valuepenguin.com/student-loans/average-cost-of-college