Medical Assisting Program

Is a career as a medical assistant right for me? Medical Assistants provide care and comfort to people with healthcare needs. They're good at multi-tasking and work well as a part of a team. If the following qualities describe you, Medical Assisting might be a good career choice: Caring and compassionate Able to juggle multiple responsibilities Good communicator Analytical Detail oriented Comfortable working closely with others Enjoy being challenged

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What's the job outlook?

The demand for healthcare professionals is at an all-time high. As our population rises and technology advances, the need for high quality services becomes increasingly great. Medical assisting jobs are an instrumental part of this expansion. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012.

What will I do with my education?

Graduates of Heald's Medical Assisting program pursue rewarding careers in a variety of settings - including family and internal medicine clinics, hospitals, pain centers - and a wide array of specialty areas - including out-patient surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, cosmetic surgery, chiropractic, optometry, podiatry practices, and more. Medical Assistants' job duties typically include both clinical and administrative tasks. While clinical duties vary according to state law, medical assistants generally write medical histories, record vital signs, prepare patients for examinations or lab tests, and assist physicians with examinations. They also perform basic tests on the premises, including drawing blood, administering injections, removing sutures, and changing dressings using infection control and universal precautions. On the administrative side, Medical Assistants typically update and file patient records, handle insurance forms, schedule appointments, arrange for hospital admissions and lab services, and assist with billing. A Heald degree can help you qualify for positions ranging from Clinical Medical Assistant and Lab Assistant to Patient Services Representative.

Concord now offers a Certificate of Completion in Phlebotomy to graduates of accredited Medical Assisting programs (including this one) and working Phlebotomists. It is a 1-quarter program that includes training on drawing blood. Contact an advisor for details.

You'll get more than career training at Heald. You'll gain professional polish so you can be an asset your first day on the job. If you're interested in this program, you can pursue the following future educational options:

• Associate in Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting
• Diploma in Medical Assisting
• Second Associate in Applied Science degree* in Medical Assisting

The above serves as a general overview for this program. For details, please refer to our academic catalog. Program availability and educational options vary by campus. * if you already hold an AAS degree from the select list of Heald programs identified in the Heald College catalog TOP