Associate of Applied Science
Are you looking to enter a growing field that allows you to assist others in need? Kaplan University offers in-depth training to help prepare you to pursue a fulfilling career as a medical assistant. This is your opportunity to train for a rewarding career in one of the nation’s fastest-growing job markets and enjoy the satisfaction of helping people when they need it most. If you pursue a career in medical assisting, you may work directly with patients by assisting physicians with routine medical exams, recording vital signs and medical histories, and explaining treatment procedures to patients and their families.
Technological advances in medicine and the growth of an aging population are having a substantial impact on the health care industry. In fact, the medical assisting profession is projected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations through 2018.* According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment growth will result from the opening of more group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities that need support personnel. Kaplan University’s medical assisting courses offer you the opportunity to become a competent, professional, multi-skilled practitioner for today's interactive health care team.
What Will You Study?
The curriculum for this program provides a well-rounded education. The goal of this program is to increase your marketability and expand your career choices. You will have an opportunity to master keyboarding, word processing, and medical office procedures. Clinical courses will focus on developing the skills you need to assist the physician in a medical office setting, such as:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Basic health insurance
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and electrocardiography
- Clinical procedures and therapeutic care
- Electronic transcription
- Medical billing, coding, and transcription
- Keyboarding and data information processing
- Medical terminology and office management
You will be required to complete an externship at an approved facility, which can give you an opportunity to gain real-world experience in the workplace.
Program Focuses on Diverse Skills
The medical assisting program places an emphasis on understanding medical terminology, body systems, and clinical procedures. The computer technology and word processing facets of the curriculum enhance your potential for job placement. Medical assistants are trained to help put patients at ease and assist the physician or other health care practitioner with routine medical office procedures, such as:
- Administering injections
- Drawing blood samples for analysis
- Monitoring vital signs
- Taking EKGs
- Assisting in minor surgical procedures
Prepare for the Certification Exam Standards of Competence
If you wish to become certified, this program could assist you in preparing for the following exams:†
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination sponsored by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
- The RMA and RPT are sponsored by American Medical Technologists (AMT), and the NCMA, NCPT, and NCICS are sponsored by the National Center for Competency Testing.
Certification is a process that shows that you have met established industry standards set by professional boards or government agencies.
Career Opportunities
When you earn an associate's degree in medical assisting, you could have the credentials required to pursue entry-level medical assisting jobs in hospitals, urgent care centers, surgical centers, physicians' offices, health maintenance organizations, and other allied health care facilities. As a graduate of this program, you can search for entry-level employment in:
- Group practices
- Clinics
- Laboratories
- Hospitals
- Private offices
- Health care facilities