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Skills you will be able to develop while attending Medical Assisting Online Associate Degree Program include two main categories. The first type of skill is made up of clinical skills which include recording of vital signs, performing tests, phlebotomy, and electrocardiogram.
The second type of skill is called administrative skill and this involves health record keeping and conducting activities in the front office.
Prospective students who are looking for a Medical Assisting Online Associate Degree Program in Richmond, usually require a certain degree of flexibility but also have the necessity of acquiring practical experience, which may not always go hand in hand. Being aware of the way the program is delivered will help you pick the right one.
Clinical skills are crucial in Medical Assistanting. Four of the skills the program lists are clinical:
These specific classes will teach you such skills.. The classes of Phlebotomy and Electrocardiogram are both 50 hours long, while Clinical Office Procedures I and II are both 120 hours. The Basic Pharmacology class also teaches about drugs. Students also get CPR certification.
The healthcare office needs good records, compliance, and proper operation. Medical assistants help with all of these. Good recordkeeping is important because all decisions made afterwards depend on that information.
The degree program covers health records and the use of the electronic health record (EHR) system with a 45-hour EHR class. There are 65 hours of Medical Office Administration which focuses on office work and Microsoft Office class covers the office software used by the front desk daily.
These classes get you ready for a front office job in the healthcare environment.
Knowledge about the body gives a better understanding of the skills that you will need. This program includes Anatomy & Physiology I and II plus three parts of Anatomy & Terminology.
The class will teach you how to communicate in medical language during the process of studying medical records, communicating with physicians, and informing patients about the procedure. The general education courses such as Behavioral Science, Humanities, and College Math make up for the other 60 credit hours.
With medical assistants dealing directly with patients, doctors, and other medical assistants on a daily basis, their communication skills are as important as their professional skills. Communication consists of listening to the patient, explaining the actions taken, and interacting with everyone involved in the treatment.
The outcomes of the training program include critical thinking in providing appropriate patient care and adjusting to different problems related to medical assisting.
Another outcome is patient care that takes into account individual differences and fosters a compassionate attitude within the healthcare environment. The 20 hours long Professional Development course helps to develop this aspect of the job.
For example, when there is a standard visit, medical assistants may begin with checking in the patient, reviewing the record from the electronic health record system and taking vitals.
Afterward, when there is a need for the diagnostic test prescribed by the doctor, medical assistants may help in completing the test by doing EKG or taking a blood sample. Then, they will update the record and complete some other duties in the front office.
Many skills are utilized simultaneously in one role.
For students who seek an Medical Assisting Online Associate Degree Program in Richmond, flexibility of studies is important.
Therefore, the Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assistant program has a different format. It includes class-based learning, lab experience and 160-hour externship. In total, the program consists of 1,200 hours and 60 credit hours and is supposed to be completed within a period less than one year.
It corresponds to skills required by the profession. Drawing blood or recording EKG cannot be learned from books; it is rather a practical matter.
Also, externships allow the student to practice and gain knowledge before graduation.
This degree is good for individuals who wish to combine clinical and administrative responsibilities in one position. Additionally, this degree is good for those who have no problem dealing with patients on a close level and prefer to learn through practice.
For those whose schedule includes studying entirely online, this is something that they should consider in relation to the practical component of this program.
Graduates are eligible to write the NHA Certified Medical Assistant certification examination.
Some of the programs' eligibility to write various professional examinations includes:
Various National Healthcareer Association examinations like:
Upon completion of the program, graduates may pursue entry-level positions within hospitals, clinics, urgent care facilities, among others. The following careers are included within the list:
Our college offers the Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assistant at our Richmond and Fredericksburg colleges. Our associate's degree program will train you to do both the clinical and administrative duties in the medical field via classroom teaching and lab work.
If you are looking for an Online Associate Degree in Medical Assisting Program in Richmond, below is how we stack up. Our associate's degree program for medical assisting is not an online program. However, we have an online Medical Administrative Assistant program for those who prefer flexibility.
For more information, contact us at our Richmond college today. Financial aid is available if you qualify.
