With an aging population and advances in medicine that allow people to live longer, many health care career opportunities are being created. As a result, employment in health care continues to grow. In fact, the job of medical assistant is predicted to be one of the fastest-growing occupations through 2014.* Take advantage of this growing trend and enter this rewarding profession with a medical assistant diploma from Southeastern Career Institute. Classes are offered both in the morning and evening so you can have a schedule that suits you best.
Career Preparation
The Medical Assistant Diploma program places an emphasis on understanding medical terminology, body systems, and clinical procedures. The computer technology and word processing courses are also part of the curriculum to help make you a more attractive job candidate. As for practical training, you will gain on-the-job work experience through an externship at a medical facility. As a graduate of this program, these are some of the tasks that may be given to you by a supervising physician:
- Administering injections
- Drawing blood samples for analysis
- Monitoring vital signs
- Taking EKGs
- Assisting in minor surgical procedures
- Performing basic accounting procedures and fundamentals of charting and documentation
This program will assist students in preparing for the Nationally Registered title of Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) exam sponsored by the National Association for Health Professionals. Students without a high school diploma or GED will not be eligible to take the NRCMA exam.† You are not required to take this exam for employment as a medical assistant, but it may help you make a favorable impression upon prospective employers.
Career Opportunities
Once you graduate with your medical assistant diploma from Southeastern Career Institute, you may apply for entry-level employment as a medical assistant in doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), or other allied health facilities.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition.
† However, the Institute cannot guarantee a student's eligibility either to take this exam or become certified. A student's eligibility may depend on his or her work experience, completion of high school (or its equivalent), not having a criminal record, meeting other licensure or certification requirements, or the program or Institute itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure. Externship sites may themselves require a criminal background check or medical examination.