Benefits of Becoming a Medical Assistant

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Ever since the formal establishment of medical assisting in the 1950s, the profession has been a critical component of the thriving healthcare industry. Medical assisting is a great path for individuals who seek a career in healthcare. With the complexities of healthcare growing every day, doctors and nurses must rely on skilled, trustworthy Medical Assistants to keep offices running smoothly.

When studying medical assisting at the Allen School of Health Sciences, you will complete a quality, accelerated, hands-on program and be in the field making a difference in less than a year. That’s just one of the many benefits; you’ll also be a vital member of your healthcare team and make a huge investment, not only in your community but also in yourself.

You’ll Constantly be Refining Your Communication Skills

Along with administrative and clinical responsibilities, working with all kinds of people — both coworkers and patients — will be a huge part of your job. These duties require strong communication skills and the ability to work well as a member of the team. While you’ll learn how to do the functions of your job in your medical assisting program and externship, there is nothing better than on-the-job training, especially when it comes to the art of communication.

Listening to patients, answering questions, and taking direction from physicians takes time to perfect. Knowing what to say (and when to say it) doesn’t happen overnight. However, with some practice, refinement, and experience, you’ll learn how to effectively interact with different personalities, ages, and professionals in any situation that’s thrown at you. Through this process, you’ll become a strong medical assistant and an even stronger person.

Job Variety

As a Medical Assistant your days will be very busy. Every role will change depending on the office or practice you’re in, but wherever you work as a Medical Assistant, you will likely have job variety. You’ll check patients in, take their histories, check their vitals, and then turn around and answer phones, return messages, and fill out billing and coding forms. In essence, you’ll never be bored! Performing a variety of tasks helps fight off job stagnation and gives you the opportunity to learn soft skills, along with clinical specialization that probably attracted you to the job in the first place.

Work Hours Aren’t Crazy

It isn’t unusual for nurses and physicians to work long shifts or to be roused from a deep sleep by an emergency. As a Medical Assistant, one of the perks, especially if you work in a clinic, is that your schedule will mimic a more traditional work schedule. You might occasionally end up staying late, working on the weekends, or working a holiday or two, but you won’t see the scheduling demands of other healthcare professionals, and you can look forward to enjoying a normal work-life balance.

Room for Advancement

Because Medical Assistants provide a range of support to clinics and hospitals, there is plenty of room for advancement for those who excel and work hard to become experts in as many functions as possible. If you can master your job, become a top-notch communicator, and work well with those around you, you can be in a prime position to move up within your organization.

Medical assisting can also be a launching point for hospital administration or other healthcare careers, such as nursing, radiology, or specializations that require more training or education. The great thing about medical assisting is that you have many, many options after finishing your MA program and working in the field afterward. You’ll have a leg up on fresh faces entering the industry because you’ll already have a solid background in healthcare and the experience to back it up!

If you’re ready to pursue a successful career in the healthcare field and interested in learning more about our programs. Contact the Allen School today! We are enrolling now for classes starting soon! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-Allen School

  Article updated February 17, 2024

Tips for Single Moms Going Back to School

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Tips For Going Back To School As A Single Mom

Going back to pursue your education as an adult poses a set of challenges but going back to school when you’re a single mother poses a whole new set of challenges! However, daunting as it may seem, it’s certainly possible. With some extra planning and a bit of know-how, you can achieve the Medical Assistant education you need to get ahead and do it on your terms. Here’s how to make it work:

Do it on Your Time

The Allen School of Health Sciences’ accelerated program is an advantage when your free time is at a minimum. The Allen School has the benefits of a blended program of online and classroom instruction. You will experience an online interactive classroom experience plus a hands-on approach in the classroom.

Know That it Takes a Village

For single mothers, it goes without saying that a support network is integral — especially when considering the prospect of returning to school. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Rally your family, friends, and neighbors, whether it’s for carpooling, childcare or needing internet access. Additionally, don’t rule out your school as a source of support. The Allen School of Health Sciences’ dedicated Enrollment Advisors, faculty and staff are available to answer your questions and assist all students, especially single mothers, achieve their goals.

Make it a Family Activity

Kids are sponges when it comes to learning, and since they have homework to do, consider doing it at the same time. It will not only spark conversation but also set a positive example. What’s more, it’s an opportunity for you and the kids to support each other — and that’s a win-win.

Take Time to Recharge.

Sure, you’re a Supermom, but even you have limits. Unless you give yourself permission to regroup and regain your strength and mental stamina, it’s impossible to sustain the rigorous schedule required of juggling your life, studies, and career; besides, exhaustion makes it difficult to retain information. Although it may seem counterintuitive to take breaks and treat yourself when you’re busy taking care of everyone else, you need to — regularly and as a priority. Sometimes, that means taking an afternoon off watching movies, with a good book or simply getting an extra hour of sleep. You deserve a professional position that makes it easy for you to provide for your family.

If you’re ready to pursue a successful career in the healthcare field and interested in learning more about our programs, contact the Allen School today! We are enrolling now for classes starting soon! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-Allen School

Medical Assistant Growth in 2021

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Medical Assistant Growth in 2021

The healthcare industry has always been one of the fastest growing in the world, demonstrating the ongoing need for trained professionals who are prepared to care for patients both healthy and sick. In the United States and around the world, 2021 is projected to be a year of unprecedented growth, as a variety of factors drive the sharply increasing need for a healthcare workforce.

The COVID-19 crisis, as well as several other issues, have created a perfect storm. Ultimately, it seems that the healthcare industry may be facing a serious shortage in 2021 – which is why the growth in workforce demand has increased at a rapid rate.

Medical Assistants are Needed Now More than Ever

The COVID-19 pandemic is just one of the numerous factors driving the growing demand for healthcare workers, with the industry as a whole expecting significant growth in the next several years. Although COVID-19 is a major force behind the need for Medical Assistants right now, there are several other elements that will continue to fuel demand in coming years, including:

● The aging population and an increase in chronic conditions in the United States, which will require a larger healthcare workforce than is currently available.

● A significant percentage of current healthcare workers are expected to retire, as the “Baby Boomer” generation reaches retirement age.

● Growing availability of new and advanced positions, leading professionals to seek opportunities outside their current positions.

For anyone considering a career as a Medical Assistant or another healthcare role, this means that employment prospects should be excellent in the years to come.

How COVID-19 Has Affected the Healthcare Workforce Demand

As the world experiences a widespread pandemic of historic scale and severity, the need for healthcare professionals have become more apparent than ever before. A newfound appreciation and respect for Medical Assistants and all healthcare workers have swept the nation (and the globe), and a growing number of people understand how important trained professionals are to the health and safety of our society as a whole.

More Healthcare Workers are Needed Now

A significant shortage in healthcare workers was one of the biggest challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the beginning, as medical facilities around the country realized that their staff simply couldn’t keep up with the demand for care. As patients were admitted and diagnosed at a steadily increasing rate, there were serious concerns about whether the workforce was able to keep up. As a result, new healthcare professionals, including Medical Assistants, are discovering that jobs are plentiful. Many facilities are raising their hiring and employment rates, expanding their teams as quickly and effectively as possible to try to meet future needs.

Finally, additional measures are being taken to protect the health and safety of Medical Assistants, and other healthcare professionals. For many medical facilities, it has become very clear that without their healthcare team, quality and availability of patient care will drop – and so, protective protocols are being developed to help keep Medical Assistants, Nurses and other medical staff safe. For example, some facilities are offering their staff benefits such as private transportation to and from work, childcare, grocery deliveries, and sealed meals delivered to their place of employment.

Make a Difference as a Medical Assistant

Are you considering becoming a Medical Assistant (MA)? Not only is this an honorable decision that can allow you to make a positive difference in the lives of countless people, but it’s also one that can lead you to an extremely fulfilling career. As a Medical Assistant, your daily role will be one that centers around helping others, and you will have an important role in the health and safety of our society as a whole.

In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact The Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Contact us today to learn more.

-Allen School

Medical Assistants: Improving Patient Care

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The modern healthcare team is a busy group of men and women who bring their passion and expertise to patient care. Included among those dedicated professionals are Medical Assistants. In today’s world it’s more important than ever for healthcare professionals to provide a high level of patient care. Medical Assistants are important members of the healthcare team in and out of clinical settings and they help to improve overall patient care. Here’s how:

  • Medical Assistants serve as liaisons between patients and the rest of the healthcare team. They often have more direct patient interaction than other members of the healthcare team and can act as vital communicators between patients and their families, and physicians and other medical staff.
  • Properly trained Medical Assistants take on many tasks which were once performed by nurses, now freeing up their time which is better directed at patient care. Medical assistants listen to patient histories, take vital signs, and even perform routine tests and lab work.
  • Medical assistants who work in the front office streamline patient care and help physician offices run at peak efficiency. They schedule and send appointment reminders, collect insurance data and help with electronic medical records. This all allows their appointments to run smoothly, so patients can focus on their health and not issues with paperwork.
  • By translating medical terminology into language patients can understand, Medical Assistants help ensure that patients follow doctors’ orders so they’ll be more likely to face a speedy recovery. They instruct patients on treatment and care and follow up with them to answer questions and relay concerns to the rest of the healthcare team.

Medical assistants are a compassionate presence for patients who may feel stressed and afraid. They never forget that the best patient care starts with the patient! They are committed professionals who place the patient first! They help optimize the workflow of the modern healthcare team and provide great patient care.

If you have a passion for helping others and want your work to be something that really matters, maybe a career as a medical assistant is right for you. To learn more. Contact the Allen School today! The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​

Benefits of Becoming a Medical Assistant During the COVID-19 Crisis

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Medical Assistants (MA’s) are some of the hardest-working professionals in the healthcare field. They have both clinical and administrative duties, which means one minute they might be scheduling appointments and answering phones, and the next, they’re rushing to take a patient’s vital signs. Being a Medical Assistant means stepping up to fill gaps, solve problems, direct patients and keep clinics and medical units running smoothly.

This career isn’t for everyone, but there are some great benefits for those who find a career in Medical Assisting appealing. We identified some of the top advantages below.

The Path to Becoming a Medical Assistant is Relatively Short

You know you need a college or technical school education but you’re also itching to launch your career as soon as possible. While some healthcare-related degree programs take several years, earning a Medical Assisting credential is considerably shorter. The Allen School of Health Sciences Medical Assistant program can be completed in less than a year; In a blended format that combines traditional and online learning classes.

You Can Work in a Variety of Locations

Some healthcare jobs are limited to hospitals, but that’s not the case for MAs. As an MA you may find yourself working in a hospital, clinic, as part of general practice, or even in a surgical facility. Medical Assistants can also find employment at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and many other settings.

You’ll Get to Build Relationships with Patients

Since Medical Assistants direct patients through their appointments, bringing them where they need to go, taking their vitals, and asking screening questions, they have a chance to engage in conversation that can turn meaningful. A simple question like “How was your day?” can help patients relax and connect. Medical Assistants work face to face with people all day, making interpersonal skills very important in this career. If you have a passion for helping people, Medical Assisting is a great choice!

You’ll be part of a Team

Some careers can feel isolated—like you are doing the work all by yourself. This is definitely not the case if you become a Medical Assistant. MAs are important members of the healthcare team and frequently work alongside physicians, nurses, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners. This means not only will you be able to ask questions and consult with your colleagues, but they’ll likely rely on you as well!

You’ll Acquire Necessary Skills for Advancement

Medical Assistants need a handful of soft skills to complement their technical skills. Sympathy and good communication skills are near the top of the list. These transferable skills can be leveraged in many healthcare careers, so honing them as a Medical Assistant can help you advance down the road.

The technical skills of a Medical Assistant can lead to other opportunities as well. Learning how to draw blood or perform EKGs can translate to a variety of other healthcare professions. Clinics are constantly in need of people to take on leadership roles, whether it’s as a team lead or, with further education, as a Clinic Administrator.

You’ll Never be bored

Being a Medical Assistant means you probably won’t spend time sitting around waiting for your next task. That wide variety of skills we mentioned makes Medical Assistants very useful as “pinch hitters” when the clinic gets busy.

You Can be a Specialist or a Generalist

While an MA’s duties can span several responsibilities, they don’t always have to. Those who prefer dabbling in several different areas would fit in well in a smaller clinic. You’ll gain a broad knowledge of the medical field due to the number of tasks you’ll undertake in all parts of the facility. If you prefer focusing on a few specific tasks, you may opt to work in a larger clinic with a bigger staff. This setting will allow you to specialize in a particular department that interests you, honing the precise skills needed for that position.

You’ll Start Gaining Experience Before you Graduate

Every Medical Assistant program is different, but some require students to complete an externship or internship while earning their certificate. For example, students enrolled in the Allen School of Health Sciences Medical Assistant program complete a clinical externship before they graduate into the real thing. The clinical experience makes a great addition to your resume and job search as well since you can demonstrate to employers that you have hands-on experience.

Make a Difference as a Medical Assistant

Are you considering becoming a Medical Assistant (MA)? Not only is this an honorable decision that can allow you to make a positive difference in the lives of countless patients, but it’s also one that can lead you to an extremely fulfilling career. As a Medical Assistant, your daily role will be one that centers around helping others, and you will have an important role in the health and safety of our society as a whole.

In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn more.

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Reasons Why Hand washing Should Matter to You

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Reasons Why Hand washing Should Matter to You.

Hand washing with soap and water is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to loved ones. Many diseases are spread by not cleaning your hands properly after touching contaminated objects or surfaces. And although not all germs are bad, illness can occur when harmful germs enter our bodies through the eyes, nose, and mouth. That’s why it is critical to wash hands at key times, such as after a flood or during a flu pandemic when germs can be passed from person to person and make others sick.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them, however during a disaster, clean running water may not be available. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.

Here are three key reasons why you should always care about handwashing:

  • Handwashing can keep children healthy and in school. Handwashing education can reduce the number of young children who get sick and help prevent school absenteeism.
  • Handwashing can help prevent illness. Getting a yearly flu vaccine is the most important action you can take to protect yourself from flu. Besides getting a flu vaccine, CDC recommends everyday preventive actions including frequent handwashing with soap and water.
  • Handwashing is easy! Effective handwashing is a practical skill that you can easily learn, teach to others, and practice every day to prepare for an emergency. It takes around 20 seconds, and can be done in five simple steps:
    • Wet your hands with clean, running water, turn off the tap, and apply soap
    • Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap
    • Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice
    • Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
    • Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them

In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-Allen School

Traits of a Successful Medical Assistant

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It is no secret that the healthcare industry is one of the biggest industries in America with ample job openings. What might not be as obvious is the fact that you can have a prosperous career in the field without becoming a doctor or nurse. One occupation student might want to consider is that of a Medical Assistant.

A Medical Assistant is someone who aids doctors, typically in offices and healthcare clinics, with administrative and clinical tasks. Medical Assistants will check blood pressure, direct patients through the office, and perform administrative tasks. Some other common responsibilities include maintaining patient records, scheduling appointments, sanitizing medical equipment, and helping physicians with examinations. Let us examine a few traits that successful Medical Assistants embody in their jobs.

Medical Assistants need Good Communication Skills

Communicating is a significant part of a Medical Assistant’s job. They communicate with doctors, patients, and coworkers to keep the office or clinic functioning effectively. Medical Assistants who work more on the administrative side may serve as intermediaries between the doctor and patients or the doctor and health insurance companies.

Medical Assistants are Team Player’s.

Medical Assistants are, in many ways, the glue that holds physicians’ offices and healthcare clinics together. It is important that Medical Assistants are team players and willing to do the work that is necessary to efficiently provide patients with the proper care. Feeding off the prior point about communication, part of being a team player is communicating with those with whom you work. Being a team player can increase synergy among you and your co-workers, in addition to the obvious advantage of completing the work required to run the office or clinic.

Medical Assistants have Strong Attentiveness to Details

Paying attention to detail is another quality that successful Medical Assistants exemplify in their work. This is not limited to cases in which Medical Assistants are permitted to administer drugs to patients and need to accurately measure the dosage. It is also crucial in the maintenance of patient records, scheduling and taking vitals to name a few other examples.

Accuracy and attention to detail are important for the wellbeing of the patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Medical Assistants have a lot of Compassion.

Compassion is another trait that successful Medical Assistants embody. They are often responsible for ensuring that patients are comfortable during their visit to the office or clinic. As mentioned earlier, Medical Assistants serve as a point of communication between patients and doctors. Offering compassion and understanding of a patient’s concerns can go a long way towards the patient’s overall satisfaction with the medical care. Medical Assistants can take comfort, pride, and satisfaction in knowing that they helped change a patient’s life for the better.

Medical Assistants always have a Willingness to Learn.

Medical Assistants are responsible for performing a multitude of different tasks throughout doctors’ offices and healthcare clinics. They are skilled in both clinical and administrative aspects of running an office or clinic. It is important for Medical Assistants to show the willingness to learn new skills as required by the doctors under whom they work. Changes in technology used in offices and clinics also necessitate Medical Assistants adapting to such updates.

Being a jack of many trades can provide Medical Assistants with a degree of variety in the everyday happenings of their jobs. In many cases there are things within an office or clinic that they can help with. Armed with an array of skills, Medical Assistants can work in many different realms of medicine, exploring different disciplines and discovering what they are passionate about. Medical Assistants have the opportunity to specialize in a certain type of medicine, teach students who also want to become an MA or even become the office manager. Many also go back to school to expand on what they learned as Medical Assistants and land an even better job.

Launch your Medical Assistant career at the Allen School of Health Sciences.

Perhaps you feel that the traits in this post describe you and you are now thinking of pursuing a school for Medical Assistants. For prospective Medical Assistants there is one clear choice for an accelerated training program: Allen School of Health Sciences. The Allen School of Health Sciences Medical Assistant program thoroughly prepares you to enter the healthcare field. The program can be completed in less than a year!

The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit  www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

Qualities of a Medical Assistant

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Most of us have had the help and support of a Medical Assistant while visiting a hospital, or a physician’s office. However, to become a successful MA, there are some basic qualities that a candidate should possess.

  1. Communication Skills

Among most important Medical Assistant qualities are communication skills, as these are the basic characteristics for this profession. An MA should listen to patients without interruption but at the same time, still ask appropriate questions to get to the source of their visit. Communication skills also involve clearly narrating the vital instructions given by the doctor to each patient.

  1. Compassionate

Besides being a good listener, it is very important that a Medical Assistant is compassionate toward their patients. An MA should try to understand the emotional state of their patients by hearing out their questions and concerns. Handling patients in a compassionate way will help them feel more comfortable and relaxed at the time of their health assessment.

  1.  Handling Stress

A physician’s office or a hospital is full of activity. The workplace can make a Medical Assistant feel quite stressed out. They will have a lot of administrative and clinical duties to perform each day and at times, all these work-related stresses can contribute to confusion and anxiety. On the other hand, patients visit a health care facility for appropriate care and treatment; they come with their own set of stress. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the MA to check their stress at the door. In other words, figure out a way to put aside stress you have built up throughout the day, while in the company of your patient. This is no easy task, as you are only human, but it is a good skill to work on each day to give the best care you can.

  1. Reliability

A Medical Assistant is expected to be a reliable person since the physician, the healthcare group associates, and the incoming patients depend on them to be reliable. Hence, an MA should be punctual, career-focused and value the conventional code of behavior.

  1. Honesty

Honesty is the best policy for this lifetime career. The personal information that a Medical Assistant collects must be maintained as confidential in a healthcare setting. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a strict confidentiality rule, which requires vigilance and care in maintaining the patient’s fitness information. However, it is also considered courteous to behave trustworthy to each patient while receiving their health or personal information (even during informal conversation). Each MA will be introduced to circumstances where they need to prove their ethical and moral characteristics on a daily basis. Hence, honesty is the chief quality to become a professional medical assistant.

  1. Willpower and Politeness

Sometimes the urge to react to a tiring physician or to a disgruntled patient who is in a lot of pain or has little patience is very tempting. However, having strong willpower towards your personal feelings in a health care environment while remaining polite is a unique Medical Assistant trait that is necessary to remain a professional. Instead of reacting, take a breath, and respond accordingly.

If you possess the above-mentioned traits, then go ahead and join in a professional medical assistant training program that will give you all the essential courses required to become a successful medical assistant. The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit  www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

A new year, another Medical Assisting class graduates! YOU can be next!

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(photo taken pre-pandemic)

A new year, another Medical Assisting class graduates! YOU can be next!

A new year can be the perfect time for a new start. For many people, it’s an opportunity to think about a new job. If you’ve been thinking about a new career as a certified Medical Assistant, this may be the push you need to begin making that idea a reality

 Would this field be a good fit for you?

When you’re considering a new career, it’s important to determine if the role would be a good fit. For Certified Medical Assistants, the following qualities and attributes are important to succeed: empathy, integrity, and dependability, ability to manage stress, strong communication skills and compassion.

Why are those particular skills so crucial for this role? Medical Assistants may have administrative or clinical duties, or both, depending on the work setting. Duties may include greeting patients, updating medical records, preparing patients for their exam, drawing blood, and assisting with medication. For all these duties, as well as any others that may be assigned, the qualities and attributes listed above would help the individual provide patients with the best possible care. 

 Education and Certification

If this field sounds like a good fit for you, it’s time to begin finding a program that will give you the educational foundation you need to pursue it. Do your homework and find the program that best meets your needs in terms of scheduling, flexibility, learning style, cost and any other issues that maybe part of the decision. For nearly 60 years the Allen School of Health Sciences has trained thousands of people for their careers in healthcare.

Looking ahead

There’s good news as far as job security in this field. Employment of Medical Assistants is projected to grow 23% from 2018-2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. This is largely due to the aging of the baby boomer population, which has increased the need for preventive medical services. This is good news for people who are considering this field. 

(https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm)

There are opportunities for personal growth as well. After you work in an entry-level Medical Assistant position, moving into a medical specialty may offer better opportunities. The longer you work in a specialty practice that you enjoy, the more valuable your skills and knowledge will become to your employer. 

Will it be easy? Nope. Will it be worth it? Absolutely. At the Allen School of Health Sciences, we specialize in helping students reach their education and career goals. Are you ready to start the new year with a new career? Contact the Allen School today! We are enrolling now for our winter classes and cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-Allen School

Medical Assisting at the Allen School of Health Sciences, A Career to go Places!

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Most people who want to work in the healthcare field likely aspire to be doctors or nurses. However, Medical Assisting is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. The Medical Assistant career path offers many of the same benefits as other healthcare professions, in addition to perks of its own.

The American Association of Medical Assistants describes a Medical Assistant as someone who works alongside doctors, usually in a clinical or office setting. Though the description may seem similar to that of a nurse, there are some key differences to the nursing field.

Medical Assistants commonly handle tasks such as checking vital signs, showing patients to their rooms, and various administrative duties. A licensed practical nurse, on the other hand, provides basic care measures like catheterization and prescription administration. While Medical assistants often work in clinics and ambulatory care, licensed practical nurses more commonly work in settings like nursing homes and hospitals.

Starting Work Sooner

Medical Assistants can begin working in the healthcare field sooner than students who attend nursing programs at four-year universities. At the Allen School of Health Sciences, our accelerated program allows you to graduate in less than a year.

There is no additional waiting to complete residency because externships can be completed at the same time as the coursework. The Allen School of Health Sciences prepares students with an externship as part of their program. Having an externship as part of your Medical Assisting program can help bolster a Medical Assistant’s job prospects.

Medical Assistants graduate with the knowledge and experience needed to excel in the healthcare industry. They are trained in both clinical and administrative tasks that are critical to running an office or clinic.

With a vast array of skills at their disposal, Medical assistants can explore different areas of medicine and discover what they are passionate about. They have the opportunity to specialize in a certain type of medicine, teach students who also want to become an MA or even become the office manager.

Diverse On-the-Job Experiences

Medical Assistants are capable of performing many different tasks needed to keep the clinic or office open in addition to treating patients. Their versatility also ensures they will not be bored on the job because there is always something they can do.

Additionally, the patients who come in to be treated and what they are seeking to be treated for varies daily. Every day on the job is different than the one before.

Helping People

Medical Assistants help physicians run their offices, but they also provide patients with compassion and understanding while doing so. Like their fellow healthcare professionals, Medical Assistants take satisfaction in knowing they are helping patients and changing their lives for the better.

Will it be easy? Nope. Worth it? Absolutely? The Allen School of Health Sciences offers the essential resources medical assisting students need to excel in the classroom, in their externships, and in the workforce to help care for patients. In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family.  Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.