Pursuing a career as a medical assistant is an exciting prospect for many. With demand for medical assistants projected to rise 16% by 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it’s a booming field with great potential. However, before jumping into this path, many people are left wondering: “Is medical assistant school hard?”
The answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.” Medical assistant school can be both extremely hard and surprisingly easy, depending on several factors. To give you a clearer picture, let’s break it down and dive into what medical assistant training entails, why it can feel hard for some, and how to choose the right path.
What Do You Learn in Medical Assistant School?
Before exploring the difficulty level of medical assistant school, it’s important to understand what kind of knowledge and skills you will be expected to learn. As a medical assistant, you’ll play a crucial role in healthcare settings, and thus, your education covers a broad range of topics. Here are some of the core areas covered in medical assistant programs:
Basic Knowledge of Human Anatomy and Physiology
Understanding the structure of the human body and how its systems work is essential. This doesn’t mean you need the in-depth knowledge that a doctor would have, but you do need to know enough to assist in clinical procedures, monitor patients, and handle administrative tasks related to healthcare.
Medical Terminology
Medical terminology may seem intimidating, but it’s basically a specialized language used in healthcare to describe the human body, diseases, and treatments. With time and practice, even complete beginners can get the hang of it.
Medical Office Procedures
You’ll learn how to run the administrative side of a medical office, including scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and handling insurance claims. Organizational skills are key in this area.
Basic Clinical Procedures
This includes skills like taking vital signs, drawing blood, administering injections, and assisting with minor surgeries. These hands-on skills are crucial for helping doctors and nurses in day-to-day patient care.
Medical Laws and Ethics
Medical assistants are responsible for maintaining confidentiality, understanding patient rights, and complying with healthcare laws and regulations.
While the coursework may seem overwhelming at first glance, most of these subjects are taught from the ground up. Even if you don’t have a background in biology or healthcare, it’s entirely possible to succeed. So, why do some students find medical assistant school hard?
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Why Can Medical Assistant School Be Extremely Hard?
Even though the curriculum for medical assistants is manageable, there are certain factors that can make medical assistant training challenging, and it mostly depends on the program you choose. Here’s what can make it difficult:
The Traditional Path
One of the most common ways people train to become medical assistants is through a full-time, two-year associate degree program at a university or community college. These programs offer comprehensive education and often come with the added benefit of a university certificate, which is traditionally respected in the healthcare industry.
However, this path is not without its difficulties.
Massive Price Tag
The cost of full-time programs can be a major barrier. Tuition for a two-year medical assistant program can range from $20,000 to $40,000 or more. This kind of financial commitment often requires taking out student loans, which could take years, or even decades, to pay off. Carrying the weight of student debt can add immense stress, making the experience of school much harder than it needs to be.
Time Commitment
A full-time program can take up to two years to complete. As an adult with responsibilities, it can be difficult to devote two years of your life to attending scheduled classes. Many adults juggle jobs, families, and other obligations that make fixed class times impractical.
Falling Behind After Missing Classes
Life happens. You might get sick, have family emergencies, or experience other life disruptions that cause you to miss classes. With traditional, on-campus programs, it’s not always easy to catch up. Missing a class on medical terminology, for instance, could mean you struggle to understand future classes on clinical procedures.
Furthermore, once you fall behind, it can take a lot of extra time and effort to catch up. In some cases, you might need to wait months or a semester to retake a course.
Pressure and Mental Stress
Balancing a two-year program, student loans and the pressure to succeed can create mental stress. For many students, this stress starts on day one and compounds over time. This mental load can make what would otherwise be manageable coursework feel overwhelmingly hard.
The Alternative: Online, Self-Paced Medical Assistant Programs
Given the challenges of traditional programs, many prospective medical assistants are turning to online, self-paced training programs. These programs offer flexibility, affordability, and the opportunity to learn at your own pace, which can make medical assistant school much easier for busy adults. Here’s why:
Flexibility
Online medical assistant programs are designed for students who need flexibility. You don’t have to drive to campus or follow a rigid class schedule. Instead, you can learn from the comfort of your home and choose your own study hours. If you have children, a job, or other commitments, this flexibility is crucial.
Learn at Your Own Speed
Self-paced programs allow you to progress as quickly or slowly as you need. If you need more time to grasp medical terminology, you can go over the material as many times as you like. If you’re stuck on anatomy while trying to learn clinical procedures, you can go back and review. This ability to repeat lessons and take things at your own pace removes the pressure of falling behind.
Affordability
An online medical assistant certification is often significantly more affordable than traditional two-year programs. Many online medical assistant programs cost less than $5,000, making them a much more attractive option for students who want to avoid hefty student loans.
Tailored Learning Experience
Online education is often more focused on practical, career-ready skills. While traditional programs may require you to take unrelated electives (such as an “Intro to Theater” class), online medical assistant courses streamline your learning to focus on the essentials needed for certification and employment.
What to Look for in an Online Medical Assistant Program
While online education offers many benefits, not all programs are created equal. It’s important to do your research before enrolling in any program. Here are a few key things to look for:
- Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by a recognized body to ensure the education you’re receiving is of high quality and will be recognized by employers.
- Certification Preparation: Make sure the program prepares you to sit for certification exams, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.
- Clinical Experience: Although much of the learning can be done online, gaining hands-on clinical experience is crucial. Look for programs that provide opportunities for clinical practice, even if you’re learning remotely.
Conclusion
So, is medical assistant school hard? It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. While traditional on-campus programs may come with challenges such as high costs, rigid schedules, and academic pressure, there are alternatives. Online, self-paced programs offer a more flexible, affordable, and accessible path to becoming a certified medical assistant. With the right program, you can embark on a fulfilling career in healthcare without the stress of student loans or the pressure of a two-year commitment.
Preppy’s Medical Assistant Training Program
Overview
Preppy’s Medical Assistant Training Program is entirely online and self-paced, making it ideal for students who need flexibility. Preppy’s program is offered in partnership with Auburn University, providing a reputable university certificate upon completion.
Program Highlights
- Mode of Delivery: 100% online and self-paced.
- Program Duration: 4 to 6 months, with access for up to a year.
- Tuition Cost: $1,599, which includes training materials.
- Certification: Prepares students for the CCMA certification exam.
- Practical Experience: Includes an externship opportunity at a local healthcare facility.
- Additional Benefits: Job placement assistance is offered for eligible graduates, as well as a free laptop if you pay the tuition in full.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Preppy’s program offers unparalleled flexibility with online, self-paced learning. The tuition is affordable, and students receive a university certificate from Auburn University. The program prepares students for the CCMA certification and includes an externship for hands-on experience. The job placement assistance and free laptops are additional perks that make this program stand out.
- Cons: As with any online program, students must be self-motivated to succeed. However, the benefits far outweigh this potential drawback.
Also read: Online Medical Assistant Programs – Essential Tips Before Enrolling
About:
Preppy was founded by higher education expert, Grant Aldrich, whose work on college affordability and accessibility has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader’s Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.
Time is money. Instead of programs that could take 2 years, Preppy provides you with education in a few months through immersive online training.
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