Medical Assistant Programs After High School

If you’re looking for a rewarding career in healthcare that won’t take years to accomplish, you might consider becoming a medical assistant.

Medical assistants wages can be up to over $31,000 annually.

This is a career you can enter with less than two years of education, so if you are able to imagine yourself assisting doctors and nurses at a clinic or hospital, this might be the right career path for you.

Read on to learn how to get into a medical assistant program after high school!

Obtain Your High School Diploma or GED

The first step is to have your high school diploma or GED. Any college, university, or technical school will require you to have completed high school. Employers will also expect that you have this as a minimum for educational requirements.

If you need to get your GED, there are practice tests available online to help you prepare for the real thing. Once you have your diploma or GED, the world of medical assistant programs opens up to you!

On-The-Job Training or Accredited Medical Assistant Program?

The first decision you need to make is if you want to find some on-the-job training or if you want to go to school. On-the-job training is the fastest way to enter the field, but it can be difficult to start out this way.

You would need to find a doctor willing to train you from the ground up. Without official education as a medical assistant, many offices and clinics won’t consider you as an applicant.

The best way to enter the field is to choose one of the available accredited medical assistant programs.

You have a lot of options when it comes to your education. You can choose to do online classes, hybrid learning, or classroom-based programs.

Online classes offer the greatest amount of flexibility. If you have a job or are raising a family, the ability to study and take tests on your own time can be priceless.

Classroom-based programs are helpful for those who learn best through face-to-face interactions. This also gives you the chance to ask the instructor questions and discuss the material with other students.

Another great option is hybrid learning, which combines both online classes with classroom time. This type of learning offers you the flexibility of online classes. Yet still gives you the chance to interact with your instructor and classmates on a regular basis.

Consider Becoming Certified

Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant will look great on a resume and increase your chances of finding employment.

Once you’ve completed a medical assistant program, the next step is sign up to take the test through the American Association of Medical Assistants. The test is offered several times throughout the year. You will also need to complete an application to be considered for your certification.

If you need help with your upcoming CMA test, read our blog for some tips on how to study right and pass with flying colors!

Choose Your New Path Today!

Now that you know how to get into a medical assistant program after high school, your next step is choosing the right one for you.

If you’re ready to start your exciting new career path, contact us today for more information about our program offerings!