If you think that you would enjoy a career in the medical field, but don’t have the means or the desire for years and years of expensive education, consider becoming a medical assistant in six weeks.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a medical assistant is $35,850 ($17.23 / hour), and the need for medical assistants is expected to grow by 19% during the next ten years.
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What Do Medical Assistants Do?
In hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other health care facilities, medical assistants help with both clinical and administrative tasks. On the clinical side of things, they
- Assist physicians or nurses during patient exams
- Draw blood for laboratory tests
- Perform routine tests such as EKGs
- Dress wounds and remove sutures
- Take patient histories and record a patient’s vital signs
- Give injections
- Educate patients about at-home care and how to take their medications
On the administrative side of things, they
- Welcome patients and help them with all the required paperwork
- Answer the phones
- Schedule procedures and surgeries
- Update patient records
- Correspond with insurance companies: code insurance forms and obtain pre-authorizations
- Handle accounting, bookkeeping, and billing responsibilities
It is possible to be hired as a medical assistant with only a high school diploma and learn on the job. However, most employers prefer hiring those with post-secondary certificates or degrees.
Online, you can find accelerated medical assistant programs that will let you become a medical assistant in six weeks. Other fast medical assistant programs allow you to start earning in less than two months. Still, other programs require six months to two years to complete. Generally speaking, the longer your training course, the higher your starting salary. Many of the more extended programs offer certificates and/or associate degrees.
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits five certifications for medical assistants:
- CMA (Certified Medical Assistant awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants)
- CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant awarded by the National Healthcareer Association)
- RMA (Registered Medical Assistant awarded by American Medical Technologists)
- CMAA (Certified Medical Administrative Assistant awarded by the National Healthcareer Association)
- NCMA (National Certified Medical Assistant awarded by the National Center for Competency Testing)
State requirements for medical assistants differ. In some states, you may need to finish an accredited training program, pass an exam, or do both to work as a medical assistant. Before you begin a training program, contact your state board of medicine for its exact requirements.
What type of training is best for you?
Before choosing a program, you need to decide whether accelerated medical assistant programs are right for you or whether a one- or two-year course at a local community college is a better fit. You should consider fast medical assistant programs if you want to be employable as soon as possible and if you can devote enough time to learn and keep up with all the assignments.
You must also decide whether you prefer online instruction or a regular classroom setting. Online programs are best for people whose schedules need to be flexible and who are highly self-motivated. They also work very well for people who learn best at their own pace, where they can go over and over the material until they learn it.
Regardless of your learning style, financial constraints, and the time you have to devote to your studies, a medical assistant program is right for you.
Before you sign up for any course, especially a six-week medical assistant program, you should always check with the Better Business Bureau and the accrediting agencies listed earlier in this article. You should also check the school’s graduation/completion rates and their students’ employment rates following graduation.
If you are uncomfortable with any reviews or statistics, keep looking! Listed below are examples of some of the well-known medical assistant programs.
Medical Assistant Jobs and Salaries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by an increase in the number of healthcare visits and a growing emphasis on preventative care.
Here are some typical medical assisting jobs and the median annual salaries for these positions in the United States, according to the BLS:
- Medical assistant: $37,190 per year
- Administrative medical assistant: $39,740 per year
- Clinical medical assistant: $39,740 per year
You can find more detailed information about medical assisting jobs and salaries on the BLS website:
- Medical Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
- Administrative Medical Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436013.htm
You can also use online salary databases, such as the one provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program, to search for specific job titles and locations:
- OES Salary Database: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319092.htm, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436013.htm
Remember that actual salaries may vary depending on factors such as an individual’s education, training, experience, location, and employer.
6-Week Medical Assistant Program
Becoming a thoroughly trained and certified medical assistant in just six weeks is generally impossible. Medical assisting is a demanding profession that requires a combination of knowledge and skills, and it usually takes several months or more to complete a medical assistant program.
Community colleges, vocational schools, and universities offer medical assistant programs. They typically include both classroom instruction and hands-on training in a clinical setting. The curriculum covers various topics, including medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical billing and coding, and patient care.
To become a medical assistant, you must complete a medical assistant program and pass a certification exam. Several different certification exams are available, but the most commonly recognized is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
In addition to completing a medical assistant program and passing a certification exam, you will also need to meet any state-specific licensing requirements. These requirements may include completing a certain number of clinical hours or passing a state-specific exam.
While it is not possible to become a fully trained and certified medical assistant in just six weeks, it is possible to gain some basic knowledge and skills in this time frame through a short-term training program or course. However, these programs are generally insufficient to prepare you for a career as a medical assistant.
Phlebotomy Career Training: 6-week medical assistant program
You can take the Medical Assistant course at your own pace through Phlebotomy Career Training. There are no deadlines or time limits, but if students don’t finish within 6 months, they might not be able to move on to the next level. The school will pay for your national license exam if you finish your course, internship, and exams in 6 months. This can save them money and relieve stress from life’s busy schedule. Most students complete the course in as little as 6 weeks. The registration fee is $700. The Medical Assistant Course teaches you the skills you need to work in the medical field through 996 hours of class time and 204 hours of internship work. You’ll be trained in vital signs, performing electrocardiograms, phlebotomies, and more.
Students in health care will learn skills that will help them in their future careers, such as how to manage a workplace and do administrative tasks. They’ll also be required to be knowledgeable about HIPPA and OSHA regulations. Students will be taught the importance of professional conduct at all times. All students must take and pass the certification exam to be certified as medical assistants after they finish the course. Phlebotomy Career Training gives people in the U.S. and Canada a chance to get licensed by taking national accreditation exams. Recent graduates have been doing very well in the workforce, with 95% finding jobs matching their skill set.
Accelerated Medical Assisting Programs: 4, 6, 24-month programs
Accelerated medical assisting programs are designed to allow students to complete their medical assisting training in a shorter period of time than traditional programs. These programs may be available at community colleges, vocational schools, and some universities. They may be offered online or on-campus and may be full-time or part-time.
Accelerated medical assisting programs typically cover the same material as traditional programs but at a faster pace. They may be more intensive and require more time commitment from students. It is essential for students to carefully consider whether an accelerated program is the right fit for them, as it can be demanding and may not be suitable for everyone.
Medical assistants perform various tasks in healthcare settings, including taking vital signs, preparing patients for examination, collecting and processing lab specimens, scheduling appointments, and maintaining medical records. They may also be responsible for administering medications and performing basic clinical procedures, such as wound care and injections.
To become medical assistants, individuals typically need to complete a postsecondary education program in medical assisting. These programs typically last one to two years and result in a certificate or associate degree. Some programs may also include an internship or externship, which allows students to gain hands-on experience in a healthcare setting.
CareerStep’s Medical Assistant with Externship program—4 months
With CareerStep’s fast online medical assistant programs, you will be prepared to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam. The program included 492 hours of online course material. Upon completing your course material, you are required to complete a 130-hour clinical externship.
This 622-hour program is designed to be completed in 4 months if you study full-time. It also allows you to study at your own pace, so you will have 12 months to complete it.
During the course, you will receive the following training.
- Microsoft Office skills
- Healthcare reimbursement
- Basic anatomy
- Medical terminology
- Medical office procedures
- Routine patient care
- Clinical patient care
- Medical office administration
- Phlebotomy
- EKG testing
The entire cost of the course is $3,999, including 12-month access to online training, one-on-one help from trainers and tech support, a 130-hour externship, and a voucher to take the CCMA certification exam.
Find more information HERE from CareerStep’s Site.
Emily Griffith Technical College—6 months
Emily Griffith Technical College is in Denver, Colorado. It has a program on campus that trains people to be medical assistants and prepares them for work in clinics and offices. Upon completing this program, students are prepared to take the Registered Medical Assistant exam.
The approximate cost of this program is $6,069. Additional costs for books and fees may also apply. There are no application fees and no obligation to attend if you are accepted. Federal Aid (FAFSA) and Pell grants are available.
Emily Griffith Technical College is just one of many public and private schools offering quick and cheap medical assistant training. If you learn best in a classroom, search for medical assistant programs in your state. If they qualify for FAFSA, you can be sure they offer an accredited degree. If they don’t qualify for FAFSA, make sure that your future employers will accept their certificates before you sign them up.
Penn Foster College Medical Assistant Associate Degree—2 years
This 4-semester associate degree program prepares you to sit for four industry-standard certifications.
- RMA (Registered Medical Assistant awarded by American Medical Technologists)
- CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant awarded by the National Healthcareer Association)
- NCMA (National Certified Medical Assistant awarded by the National Center for Competency Testing)
- CMAC (Clinical Medical Assistant Certification awarded by the American Medical Certification Association)
The curriculum for this program is divided into four semesters. It includes courses specific to the medical assistant program and general education courses that will qualify you for an associate’s degree.
- Semester 1—14 credits: Introduction to Allied Health, Information Literacy, Computer Applications, English Composition, Law, Ethics, and confidentiality in Allied Health, Medical Terminology
- Semester 2—16 credits: Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology 1, Anatomy and Physiology 2, Arts ad Humanities elective, Business and Technology Writing or Interpersonal Communication
- Semester 3—15 credits: Reimbursement Methodologies, Medical Coding, Electronic Medical Records, Essentials of Psychology, Intermediate Algebra
- Semester 4—15 credits: Pharmacology, Clinical Procedures Theory, Medical-Surgical Procedures, clinical Procedures Labs
- Externship
All the courses except the externship are available online and completed at your own pace. However, you will be required to take proctored exams each semester.
Tuition is currently set at $79/credit, with various discounts depending on your payment options. This puts the total cost of the program at slightly under $5,000. Included in your tuition are
- Certification Prep Materials
- Voucher for Certification
- Mobile-friendly coursework
- Dedicated success coach
- All study materials
- Goal setting-progress tracking tools
- Unlimited student support
- Career services
All costs associated with the externship are the responsibility of the student.
Ready to Start Your Journey
FAQs
How long does it take to get certified as a medical assistant?
According to best-universities.net, the fastest a person can become a certified medical assistant is 6 weeks. The typical timeframe to become certified is 6 months to 2 years.
What career can I get in 6 months?
There are many careers that a person can obtain in six months. One of the careers in high demand is medical assisting. Best-Universities.net has information about other careers that may take longer than 6 months to obtain if medical assisting is not one of your interests.
What is the quickest certification to get?
According to Best-Universities.net, one of the quickest certifications to get is Medical Assistant.
Are there any 4-week medical assistant programs online?
In our research, we did not find any 4-week medical assistant degree programs online. However, we found that St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants has a 6-week certificate program offered online.
What is the fastest way to become a medical assistant?
Completing a CMA certificate or diploma program is the fastest way to become a medical assistant.
Can you become a CMA online?
Yes, you can become a certified medical assistant online. Online medical assistant programs and certificates offer a wider variety of course lengths helping students to learn at their own pace.
Conclusion
Whether you want to earn a medical assistant degree online in six weeks, are looking for fast online medical assistant programs that take several months, or want a more comprehensive 2-year degree program, training to become a certified medical assistant can lead to a rewarding career. For many, it has also served as a stepping stone to other careers in the medical field.
