ADVANCE YOUR

MEDICAL ASSISTANT

CAREER

Learn how to be a valuable part of a medical team, completing administrative and clinical tasks and assisting with patient care in a variety of health- care settings.

The Medical Assistant program from Professional Workforce Development sponsored by Southern Adventist University offers you the ideal opportunity to get trained and ready for a fast-growing healthcare career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants are expected to see available jobs grow by almost 16% over the next ten years — much faster than the average. And through our Professional Workforce Development programs, you can qualify for entry-level roles in this field in just seven months.

INQUIRE TODAY
Ready to begin your career journey or have more questions? Connect with a Workforce Training Specialist today!
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28 Weeks

PROGRAM LENGTH

CCMA, CMAA

CERTIFICATIONS

$5,000.00

TUITION

NHA Logo

ISSUING AUTHORITY

WHAT DOES A MEDICAL ASSISTANT DO?

Certified Medical Assistants play an important role on healthcare teams, providing patient intake, care, and monitoring under the supervision of a physician or other licensed healthcare provider.

After successfully completing the Medical Assistant program, students will be proficient in recording vital signs, preparing and assisting with procedures, taking medical histories, handling lab specimens, and offering patient education. Their responsibilities will vary with the location, sizes, and departments of the healthcare facilities where they work.

WHERE DOES A MEDICAL ASSISTANT WORK?

Medical Assistants work alongside physicians in doctors’ offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, and chiropractors’ offices.

health care worker helping patients

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED

Web browser with internet connection

Course registration & payment

Training Materials Provided

Expert-led video based training

eBooks: Kinn’s Medical Administrative Assistant & Kinn’s Clinical Medical Assistant Textbook

Competency assessments

National Certification exam fee

MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Outcomes

The demand for Medical Assistants will continue to experience significant growth and, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to rise by 18% over the next decade.

  • Medical Assistants can expect to earn a starting salary of between $30,100 and $38,270
  • Graduates of the Medical Assistant program will have acquired the skills necessary to work in a wide range of healthcare settings
  • Medical Assistant students will complete the program with a thorough understanding of medical terminology, basic human anatomy, and healthcare office procedures

Skills Learned

Upon completion of this certified medical assistant program, you’ll learn a number of skills, including:

  • Understanding basic human anatomy and utilizing medical terminology to effectively communicate in a healthcare facility
  • Comprehending the use of diagnosis and procedure codes as they relate to electronic health records
  • Recognizing the importance of infection control and environmental safety in general, specialty, and surgical practices
  • Understanding specimen collection techniques, cardiopulmonary testing, pharmacology, and medication administration
  • Administering medications and assisting with minor procedures
  • Recording vital signs, taking medical histories, and preparing patients and rooms for examinations
  • Handling laboratory specimens and providing patient education
  • Complying with HIPAA/HITECH, OSHA and CMS, and other healthcare regulations and laws as they apply to patient information 
COURSES - 28 WEEKS
Professionalism in Allied Health
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology
Medical Office Procedures and Administration
Clinical Medical Assisting

PROGRAM PREVIEW

MEDICAL ASSISTANT JOB POSSIBILITIES

In addition to the following payment options, we offer special corporate volume pricing. Visit the Corporate page for details.

Medical Office Assistant

$21,000 – $42,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Nursing home – home caregiver helping an elderly man out of bed

Medical Assistant

$24,000 – $46,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Doctor’s Assistant

$20,000 – $40,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Upon completion of your medical assistant training, you are eligible to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exams, issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

CCMA

Certified Clinical
Medical Assistant

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification can help you stand out in the world of medical assistants and allows you to join the workforce with an advantage.

CMAA

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant

The Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certificate helps you gain the skills to provide administrative support in a medical setting. Demonstrate your expertise in the field and become qualified for a number of administrative duties, as well as direct contact with patients in clinical settings.

PLEASE NOTE: This program is NOT available to students who plan to work in the state of Washington. Many states have licensing or certification requirements for those performing the role of a Medical Assistant. This program is aligned with and/or prepares candidates for certification or licensure in each state except Washington.

MEDICAL ASSISTANT PAYMENT OPTIONS

In addition to the following payment options, we offer special corporate volume pricing. Visit the Corporate page for details.

Pay in full using any major credit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Select “credit card” as your payment option.
Apply for PayPal Credit and pay zero interest if your balance is paid in full within 6-months. Complete a quick application and you’ll receive a credit decision within seconds.
Pay for your training with an education loan through Sallie Mae or Meritize. Complete the course registration process to reserve your seat using one of these options.

Many employers have education programs or will pay for continued education! Select “Corporate Invoice” if you need an invoice to process payment through company training tuition assistance/reimbursement plans. 

Download the free brochure below to your HR representative or manager and show them the benefits of gaining additional education!

DO YOU NEED HELP PAYING FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?​

Many employers offer education assistance programs. Download the brochures to show your employer the benefit of upskilling their employees.

PROGRAM COMPARISONS

PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Community College
Program & Tuition Cost
$5,000 average
Up to $20,000
Exam Fees, Books & Materials
Included
Up to $750
Job Ready In
3–6 months
24–48 months
Schedule Flexibility
On-demand 24/7
Set class schedule
Travel Requirements
None: 100% online
On-campus classrooms
Student Support
Personal Advisors: text, call and email access
Professors: scheduled office hours
Career Coaching
Exam-tailor + soft-skill training to build well-rounded careers
Exam-based + prerequisites and electives to meet credit
Content Delivery
3D animations, immersive environments, interactive activities, game-based learning
Professor lectures

MEET YOUR WORKFORCE TRAINING SPECIALIST!

Tracey is your Workforce Training Specialist.  She is here to help you understand your program of interest, payment options and succeed!  Get in touch with Tracey to learn more about your program, Southern Adventist University and how to achieve your workforce development goals!

FAQ

Certified Medical Assistants deal with the public directly, so they need to be dependable, great communicators, active listeners, and efficient problem solvers. Since certified Medical Assistants handle numerous clients’ health records throughout the day, they should also be well organized and able to multitask effectively with attention to detail.

Most full-time certified Medical Assistants work a regular 40-hour week. Some work part-time, evenings, or weekends.

Certified Medical Assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks under direct physician supervision. Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under a collaboration agreement with a physician, who may or may not be on-site.

The duties of a Medical Assistant vary from one practice to the next and may be limited by state laws. Responsibilities vary from office to office, depending on location, size, and specialty. Administrative duties may include the following: answering phone calls, greeting patients, updating and filing patient medical records, scheduling appointments, billing, and more. Clinical duties may include the following: taking medical histories, collecting and preparing laboratory specimens, explaining treatment procedures to patients, drawing blood, taking electrocardiograms, and more.

Medical Assistants are one of the most versatile allied health professionals. They are cross-trained to perform clinical and administrative responsibilities.

INTERESTED IN ANOTHER CERTIFICATE PROGRAM?

Founded in 1892, Southern Adventist University provides a quality, Christ-centered undergraduate and graduate education to approximately 2,700 students each year. Caring professors, hands-on training, and a wide selection of academic options prepare students for success, as demonstrated by our graduates’ impressive job placement numbers and high median starting salaries. Located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Southern’s 1,300-acre campus features nearly 40 miles of hiking and biking trails, a top-notch fitness center, and much more.

VIEW SOUTHERN'S DEGREE PROGRAMS

In addition to our certificate programs, Southern offers traditional college degrees with more than 100 academic options. View Southern’s Degrees

INVESTING IN A SOUTHERN DEGREE

Investing in a college degree is an important decision. Southern’s traditional degrees offer financial aid options for students. Learn about Southern’s Student Finance Options.