You want to train for a career as a medical assistant, but you don’t want to put your life on hold entirely. You may have a full-time job, family responsibilities, or other obligations that require some flexibility in your schedule. In that case, you may wonder if it’s possible to earn a medical assistant diploma online.
While you may be able to complete some medical assistant classes online, most programs include in-person training to help you gain clinical experience. In this article, we’ll discuss what to know about online medical assistant programs and what to look for if you’re interested in this path.
Can You Get a Medical Assistant Diploma Online?
Generally speaking, you cannot earn a medical assistant diploma fully online. That’s because medical assistant training requires hands-on practice in supervised clinical settings.
You may see some medical assistant programs marketed as fully online, but many of them still include required or optional in-person clinical training. Those programs may help place you in clinical externships near your current location, so you don’t have to travel far to get this experience.
If you’re looking for an online medical assistant program, a blended format can offer a middle ground. A blended learning approach typically combines online classes with on-campus labs and in-person clinical experience.
What Are the Benefits of In-Person Medical Assistant Training?
In many healthcare facilities, medical assistants have both administrative and clinical tasks. Part of the time, they schedule appointments, maintain medical records, and handle insurance paperwork. The rest of the time, they focus on clinical tasks, like monitoring patients’ vital signs and running lab tests.
When you’re training to become a medical assistant, having the opportunity to practice your skills can help you build confidence in the clinical tasks that will be part of your job. Hands-on training can help you:
- Learn to use industry-current equipment: Participating in on-campus labs can help you become familiar with the tools and equipment you may use in medical offices, such as electrocardiograph machines and glucometers.
- Practice clinical tasks: In a clinical externship, you can apply the concepts you’ve learned in class to real-world settings, giving you a better understanding of how to use your new skills when conducting patient tests, recording vitals, or drawing blood.
- Become comfortable working on a team: Medical assistants work as part of a healthcare team. In-person training can help you become more comfortable communicating with doctors and following instructions.
- Build professional connections: Clinical training can allow you to build relationships with your instructors and the healthcare professionals you work with. Those connections may become mentors or references who can help with your career development.
What Should You Look For in a Medical Assistant Program?
Choosing a medical assistant program can feel overwhelming. Knowing what factors to consider can give you a place to start. Here’s what to look for in a medical assistant program:
Type of Program
Medical assistant programs usually lead to a certificate or diploma, while some result in an associate degree. You can find these programs at career colleges, vocational schools, or universities.
In a diploma program, you’ll most likely take core medical assisting classes and complete an externship. An associate degree program will include similar components, but you may also need to take some general education classes, like English and math.
Timeline
It can take 1 to 2 years to complete a medical assistant program, depending on the path you take. Diploma programs usually take around 1 year, though some can be completed more quickly. American Career College’s Medical Assistant diploma program takes approximately 9 months.
Associate degree programs often take longer because of the general education requirements. If you choose this route, it may take around 2 years to complete your degree.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements can vary by school. Many require a high school diploma or equivalent. You may also need to pass an entrance exam.
Once you’ve narrowed down a list of programs, check each school’s enrollment requirements. Ask to speak with an admissions advisor if you have any questions or concerns about meeting the prerequisites.
Learning Format
If you want some flexibility in a program, look for one that offers both online medical assistant classes and in-person clinical training. This way, you can complete your coursework online while also gaining hands-on experience.
Some programs may offer even more flexibility. For example, ACC’s program includes a weekend option for students who are unable to come to campus during the week.
What Do You Learn in a Medical Assistant Program?
Medical assistant programs focus on training you to handle the responsibilities of this role. While coursework can vary by program, you can expect the curriculum to include classes in these subjects:
- Medical terminology
- Pharmacology
- Medical office procedures
- Clinical procedures
- Lab procedures
- Patient records
Some of these classes may include lab components, where you practice concepts in simulated medical settings. Your program may also require an externship, which you complete at an actual healthcare facility. At ACC, students complete a 220-hour externship after finishing their medical assistant classes and lab training.
Explore the Blended Medical Assistant Program at ACC
Getting a medical assistant diploma online may sound convenient, but it can leave you missing out on real-world clinical training that can be invaluable for this career. A blended program that combines online coursework with in-person training may be the better choice, giving you flexibility while allowing you to build clinical skills you can take with you into your future career.
ACC’s Medical Assistant program is designed for students who want to strike this balance. The program’s structure allows you to complete classes online while coming to campus twice a week for in-person instruction, with weekend options available at our campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a career as a medical assistant, reach out today for more information!
