Choosing the right medical assistant school is an important first step toward a rewarding career in healthcare. When considering Prism Career Institute’s Medical Assistant (MA) program offered near you in Cherry Hill and as well as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you may be wondering what the weekly experience is like, from the curriculum and hands-on training to the skills you’ll develop. Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or ready to take the next step toward preparing for medical assistant career paths, understanding what our program offers can help you make an informed decision regarding your future. Here, we discuss what to expect and why Prism Career Institute is worth considering for medical assistant school.
Key Takeaways
- The Medical Assistant program offered at Prism Career Institute covers both clinical and administrative skills, preparing students to support patients and healthcare providers.
- Hands-on healthcare training is a key element of our curriculum, allowing students to practice essential skills in real-world scenarios.
- Prism Career Institute offers a hybrid learning format, helping you maintain balance between your education and other responsibilities.
The Core Curriculum: What Subjects Are Taught in a Medical Assistant Program?
Our comprehensive medical assistant program is structured to equip students with the technical, administrative, and interpersonal skills needed to excel in a healthcare setting. On a weekly basis, the students enrolled in our program receive training in a variety of subjects that prepare them for the diverse responsibilities medical assistants perform daily.
Our medical assistant school curriculum includes clinical topics, such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, laboratory procedures, and patient care techniques. In addition to clinical instruction, the curriculum focuses on administrative skills. Coursework covers the most up-to-date medical office procedures, electronic medical record (EMR) systems, medical billing and coding basics, appointment scheduling, and professional communication. By developing these skills, students are prepared to manage the day-to-day operations of a healthcare office efficiently.
Another key element of our medical assistant school curriculum is healthcare laws, ethics, and patient confidentiality requirements, including regulations related to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Understanding medical laws and ethics is essential for maintaining professionalism and providing high-quality care.
Hands-On Training: What Clinical Skills Will You Learn in MA School?
One of the most valuable aspects of our MA program is the opportunity to develop practical clinical skills through hands-on training. These experiences help students to build confidence and prepare for real-world scenarios that they will encounter in the field. Key clinical skills that our program emphasizes include:
- Taking vital signs: Students learn how to accurately measure and record critical vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation. These basic assessments are crucial to determining a patient’s health and needs.
- Phlebotomy and specimen collection: Our Medical Assistant program helps students develop skills in collecting blood samples and other laboratory specimens while following proper safety and health protocols.
- Performing electrocardiograms (EKGs): While enrolled, students gain experience in correctly placing electrodes and operating EKG equipment to record and monitor a patient’s heart activity.
- Infection control and sterilization procedures: Students are taught how to properly maintain a safe clinical environment through thorough hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and sterilization techniques.
- Patient communication and care: Strengthen your ability to interact professionally with patients, explain procedures, provide comfort, and support positive healthcare experiences.
Program Difficulty: Is Medical Assistant School Hard to Complete?
Like any educational program, medical assistant school requires dedication, time management, and a desire to learn new concepts and skills. While the coursework is meant to challenge you, experienced instructors at Prism Career Institute help you stay engaged, on track, and confident as you progress.
Our Medical Assistant program, which can be completed in as little as is taught using a hybrid learning format that combines online coursework (108 hours of lecture content) with on-campus training and 150 hours of supervised externships. This approach allows students to complete portions of their education remotely while still gaining the hands-on experience necessary for success in a healthcare setting.
See the Full Picture, Then Enroll at Prism Career Institute
Understanding the path ahead is key to success. Our comprehensive Medical Assistant program in is designed week-by-week to build your skills and confidence. If this overview excites you for the future, there’s no better time to start. Contact us or apply online today to take the first step.