There are accelerated online CMA programs that offer a fast completion time of just 6 to 10 weeks. It’s important to note that these programs are not widely available and are less common across schools. Most medical assistant certificate classes typically take 12 weeks to 8 months, which is still considered fast.
Additionally, there are medical assisting diploma and associate’s degree programs designed for full-time students, spanning a duration of 1-2 years. Earning an associate’s degree can lead to substantially higher salaries in the field.
Use the application to connect with a medical assistant school now.
Resources Used During Online CMA Classes
Instead of going to a classroom, you’ll use a variety of resources to learn about medical assisting and complete your training.
- Streamed lectures
- Videos
- Discussion forums
- Slideshows
- Online assignments
- 1 on 1 teacher interaction
Use the search application to connect with an accredited online CMA (certified medical assistant) training program near you.
Partner Schools With Online Medical Assistant Programs
- CareerStep
- Dawn Career Institute
- Keiser
- South College
- South University
- Southern Careers Institute
- The College of Health Care Professions
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
A certified medical assistant works directly under a physician in a healthcare facility like a hospital, medical center, or doctor’s office. They normally work with patients and their families, taking vitals and using the electronic medical records, preparing exam rooms between each patient, and setting up exam rooms for patients and physicians.
Medical Assisting clinical responsibilities can include:
- Taking medical histories
- Recording vital signs
- Prepping patients for exams
- Providing treatment and procedure explanations
- Assisting the doctor during an exam
- Collecting laboratory specimens
- Performing laboratory tests
- Disposing of contaminated supplies
- Sterilizing medical instruments
One great thing about online classes is that you can take your time, within reason. Another benefit of online classes is that you can wear your footie pajamas but that’s for another blog post.
Medical Assistant Salary
With a medical assisting career, you can earn good money in a short amount of time and plus, CMAs have a good foundation of knowledge and it’s a great stepping stone career! The average pay of a medical assistant was $43,350 in 2023 according to the BLS, and the highest 10% earned over $56,000. This is the most recent salary data, released in April of 2024.
Reference:
- Medical Assistant Program Requirements
- How Long Does It Take To Become A Medical Assistant?
- Medical Assistants on BLS
- Medical Assistant Certificate Vs. Degree
Updated: 4/25/24