Medical assistants are healthcare providers that support the work of doctors and other healthcare professionals. They perform administrative and clinical tasks, such as taking patients’ vital signs, administering medications, and recording information. Although it’s possible to receive training on the job, most people pursue an associates degree in medical assisting to become medical assistants in Brooklyn, New York. Associates programs in medical assisting generally take between 18 months and two years to complete and are offered at vocational-technical high schools, vocational schools, and community colleges.
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What You Learn in an Associates Program
When you pursue an associates degree in medical assisting in Brooklyn, New York, you’ll take courses that cover the following topics:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Medical terminology
- Keyboarding
- Transcription
- Recordkeeping
- Accounting
- Insurance processing
Other subjects you’ll learn about include pharmacology, radiology, first aid, patient care, and laboratory procedures. In addition to taking general education courses, you’ll do hands-on lab work.
How to Prepare for an Associates Degree in Medical Assisting in Brooklyn, NY
If you’re planning to get an associates degree in medical assisting in Brooklyn, New York and you’re still in high school, take courses relating to math, health, biology, computers, typing, and administrative skills to prepare yourself. As a medical assistant, you have to be courteous and helpful since you deal with the public often, so it’s also important to hone your people skills. You will be responsible for explaining the doctor’s instructions to patients and putting them at ease.
Tips for Choosing a Degree Program
If you want to get an associates degree in medical assisting in Brooklyn, New York, be sure to choose an accredited program. There are two bodies that accredit medical assisting programs, and they are the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). If you graduate from an accredited program, you’ll be eligible to take the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) exam.
A certification in medical assisting is not required, but having one may give you more job security. Medical assistants in Brooklyn, NY who have a certification are more likely to have a higher salary and access to a wider range of employment opportunities than those who have only an associates degree in medical assisting.
Having a formal education isn’t a requirement if you want to become a medical assistant in Brooklyn, NY, but many employers prefer it. Getting an associates degree in medical assisting will prepare you for the rigors of the job and open doors to employment opportunities in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. The employment outlook for medical assistants is promising, so it’s a great time to launch a career in this field. For more information about associates programs in medical assisting in Brooklyn, New York, please call CollegeQuest’s college advisors at 877-451-2596 (9am–9pm EST/Mon-Fri).
