Hands-on Learning Hard to Replace in Phoenix Health Sciences

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We always worry about national and global averages, test scores, and preparing our students for college or technical and trade schools. When it comes to education. However, we often overlook the best ways to teach our students the essential skills to advance their careers. Unfortunately, we have subscribed our education approaches to a “one size fits all,” limiting the capability of many students. We shouldn’t force anyone to adhere to a singular learning skill. Instead, educational institutions should incorporate various teaching studies, including hands-on learning to develop students’ careers, both online and in-person. Some education programs like medical assisting require a more hands-on approach to learning due to their technicality. For instance, the best way to practice taking vital signs or drawing blood is by using hands-on learning.

The Allen School of Health Sciences: Medical Assistant Accelerated Program.

Ideally, all medical assistant programs should require a hands-on learning approach. Students taking medical assistant programs should have (or gain) experience in dealing with patients. They need to learn how to conduct or assist with medical procedures, which requires a hands-on approach. A hands-on learning approach allows for improved retention of information since it engages both parts of the brain. Also, it improves students’ attentiveness because the concepts are presented excitingly. These improvements are why hands-on learning is better, especially in health sciences. Students undertaking the Allen School of Health Sciences accelerated medical assistant programs will experience a blended curriculum comprising hands-on clinical experiences and online learning.

Creative Alternatives to Programs

You might be wondering; how I will advance my healthcare career with what I learned in school. Allen School of Health Sciences has 275 hours of internship in our program. Allows our students to get hands-on experience in a clinical setting. Our programs use online learning and hands-on learning together to equip students with knowledge and experience to succeed in healthcare.

Medical Assistant Program

Our medical assistant program models students to become multi-skilled healthcare professionals to offer support in administrative and clinical areas of the medical practice. Students who undertake our medical assistant program can work in various healthcare settings, including outpatient surgery centers, urgent care clinics, medical offices, and specialties like dermatology, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Our medical assistant program features blended courses for theory classes, hands-on skills, and internships where students gain real-world experience. Allen School of Health Sciences offers the medical assistant program at all of our campuses.

Medical Assistant Programs at The Allen School of Health Sciences, Phoenix Campus.

If you’re interested in starting your healthcare career, enroll in a school you can trust. For over 60 years, the Allen School of Health Sciences has assisted and trained thousands of people for their new careers in healthcare. Ready to start working towards a new career? 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. View our programs to learn more. -Allen School of Health Services Article updated July 2024

Featured Image: Rob Marmion/Shutterstock

Can I Learn How to Do an EKG at the Allen School of Health Sciences?

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The Allen School of Health Sciences teaches EKG in a 50-hour theory and clinical based lab class as part of our Medical Assistant program curriculum. Electrocardiograms are diagnostic tests used to examine heart function. Once done only in hospitals, most EKGs can now be performed in doctor’s offices by a trained Medical Assistant. It’s a time saver for patients and an important source of data for physicians.

What is an EKG?

Developed in 1903 by Dutch physician William Einthoven, an electrocardiogram, or EKG, painlessly records electrical activity in the heart. It maps voltage from different angles, converting electrical signals into a wave-like tracing. Doctors can tell how the heart is functioning by measuring the peaks and valleys in the waveform.

How Is an EKG Performed?

Electrocardiograms are performed with electrocardiographs; machines that measure voltage through electrodes attached to the skin. There are several types of EKGs a Medical Assistant can assist with.

The most common is the 12-lead EKG. This uses ten electrodes and 12 leads to produce twelve unique reference points and six waves, P, Q, R, S and T, for doctors to examine. This test is done with the patient in a recumbent position and takes just minutes to complete. Doctors can also order portable EKGs for patients who have occasional or activity-related cardiac symptoms.

Known as event monitoring, these devices measure a few inches and can be worn for weeks to catch the rare abnormalities a conventional EKG might miss. Wireless monitoring centers receive readings in real-time. Patients press a button whenever symptoms occur, and the physician can cross-reference them to determine if they coincide with irregularities in heart rhythm.

A Medical Assistant working with a cardiologist may assist with a stress test. This test has an EKG taken while a patient walks on a treadmill or rides a stationary bicycle and shows how the heart performs under physical stress. Because there’s some risk to patients who are already experiencing potential cardiac symptoms, a Medical Assistant never performs this test alone and are directly supervised by a physician.

Ready to start helping patients? To learn more about the Allen School of Health Sciences and our medical assistant program and curriculum contact us today! Classes are starting soon. www.allenschool.edu

Different types of Medical Assistants in the Phoenix, Arizona Area

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Healthcare is one of the fastest growing and in-demand industries in Arizona, which makes now the perfect time to begin a career as a Medical Assistant!

There are several types of MAs, all of which are vitally important to the healthcare teams they are a part of. An MA works alongside physicians and other healthcare providers to assist with patient care, handle administrative tasks, and complete clinical procedures. In many clinics and doctors’ offices in and around the Phoenix area, they are in charge of managing the office which allows the physician to devote more time to providing top-quality patient care.

Employers in Arizona set their own educational requirements for the Medical Assistants they hire. The standard is typically attending an accredited medical assistant program. At the Allen School of Health Sciences – Phoenix campus, our program is accredited.

Duties and Responsibilities of Medical Assistants

Although the duties of a Medical Assistant may vary somewhat from one job to the next, they all work to keep doctors’ offices and clinics running smoothly. In all cases, an MA in Arizona performs the tasks that physicians delegate to them. The goal is to support each physician in providing the best possible patient care. In smaller practices, the MA may perform virtually all office and clinical tasks, but in larger practices, they may have a specialized function, which may include managing other staff.

Types of Medical Assistants

There are three main types of Medical Assistants: Clinical, Administrative, and Specialized Medical Assistants.

  1. Clinical Medical Assistant

A clinical MA’s primary focus is on patient care, conducting assessments, and performing other clinical tasks. This may include preparing patients for medical examinations, documenting vitals and medical histories, instructing patients on home care, performing minor treatments, and assisting the physician during examinations. While the job duties of a clinical Medical Assistant in Arizona are broad, the main focus will be on the clinical aspects of the practice.

  1. Administrative Medical Assistant

Administrative MAs in Arizona mostly perform administrative tasks such as managing patient records, making appointments, answering phones, maintaining the front desk/reception areas, and performing general accounting and billing. Administrative Medical Assistants play a pivotal role in physicians’ offices throughout Phoenix.  They ensure that the business side of the practice operates smoothly, to ensure minimal interruption so the physician can easily provide patient care. To be effective in this position, job candidates should have superb written and oral communication skills, proper phone etiquette, above-average computer skills, and a basic understanding of medical terminology.

  1. Specialized Medical Assistant

Specialized MAs perform specialized clinical tasks since their specialized training allows them to work closely with physicians and serve patients more directly. Depending upon the size of the medical practice, specialized Medical Assistants may report directly to the physician, or to an administrative manager. The specific tasks that they perform will depend largely on their area of specialization, size of the practice, and the number of assistants on staff.

There are many specialized Medical Assistant certifications available in the Phoenix area. To receive certification, assistants must complete an accredited training program and pass the certification examination. In many cases, certified Medical Assistants in Phoenix earn higher wages and have better job opportunities than those without certification.

At the Allen School of Health Sciences Phoenix campus, we are devoted to fostering positivity, empathy, professionalism, and integrity in our future Medical Assistants. The Allen School of Health Sciences Phoenix campus is offering a blended program of online and hands-on interaction classroom learning in a clinical setting for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School, Phoenix campus today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn

Medical Assistant Careers in Phoenix Arizona

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How can I advance my Medical Assistant career in Phoenix?

Gaining experience, becoming proficient in skills, and widening your medical knowledge base are all tools you’ll need to advance in your career as a Medical Assistant in Arizona. You may decide to aim for a management job, work in a competitive area of medicine, or go into teaching. No matter your goals for career advancement though, a few extra tools may help you successfully work toward advancement opportunities.

Different Career Specialties in Medical Assisting

Choosing a specialty can be a wise choice for future career advancement opportunities in Phoenix. Some medical specialties require more knowledge and skills than others and may offer opportunities for advancement along with some additional responsibilities. Healthcare is a multi-dimensional field. The vast array of medical specialties and subspecialties provide the certified Medical Assistant with limitless employment opportunities. Though you may begin your career in a clinic or outpatient center, you may want to specialize in another area of medical assisting at some point. Luckily, Medical Assistants in Phoenix can work in many specialty areas.

Clinical Specialties

Medical Assistants in Phoenix have many medical specialties to consider as a career. Some specialties allow you to earn additional certification, while others rely on experience and hands-on training. If you’re currently an MA student, consider working in a medical specialty during your internship- which you would obtain through the Allen School of Health Sciences, Phoenix campus.

Administrative Specialties

If you feel that administrative medical assisting is more to your taste, you can specialize in non-clinical areas as well. Opportunities for branching out into administrative areas may come as you gain more work experience. You may be required to take additional classes but any administrative procedures you learn during medical assisting school at the Allen School of Health Sciences will be a good foundation to build on.

Medical specialties like these can be demanding and have a higher learning curve. Due to high demand, employers in the Phoenix area may have a harder time finding qualified Medical Assistants to fill open positions. If you’re currently working 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.

Remember, because medical assisting is so versatile, opportunities to specialize will continue to grow. The more experience and continuing education you have, the more doors may open for you to work in other areas.

At the Allen School of Health Sciences Phoenix campus, we are devoted to fostering positivity, empathy, professionalism, and integrity in our future Medical Assistants. We offer a blended program of online and hands-on classroom learning in clinical settings. We are enrolling now so contact the Allen School, Phoenix campus today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn more.

-Allen School

Article updated Jan 9, 2024

Medical Assistant in Phoenix Arizona:  Is it a Good Career Choice for you?

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Are you thinking about attending the Allen School of Health Sciences – Phoenix campus? If you are considering a career as an MA, you might want to ask, is a Medical Assistant career a good choice for me? Here are some of the topics you might want to think about:

What qualities make a good Medical Assistant?

With many hospitals, surgery clinics, and doctors’ offices in and around the Phoenix area, let’s look at the qualities that make a good Medical Assistant. This career field is all about working with patients and serving as a link between patients, nurses, and doctors. Compassion, patience, and the desire to help others are all good personality traits if you are considering this career. It is also important to have good attention to detail, strong communication skills, and up-to-date computer skills.

What do Medical Assistants do?

If you are going to picture yourself in a new career, it helps to know what kinds of tasks you would be expected to do. Medical Assistants in Phoenix typically help with both administrative and clinical tasks within doctor’s offices and other healthcare facilities. The duties vary, depending on the job, but some of the tasks might include taking a patient’s history; measuring vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and weight; giving injections; preparing specimens for laboratory testing, and scheduling appointments.

What are the working conditions like for Medical Assistants in Arizona?

The work environment for healthcare facilities is typically professional, well-lit, and clean. Most Medical Assistants wear scrubs to work, and most spend much of the day on their feet. The hours can vary, most positions are full-time, and hours can sometimes include evenings and weekends. Some Medical Assistants work shifts if they work in medical facilities that are open 24 hours a day, such as hospitals.

What kind of training or education is necessary?

Training requirements vary, depending on the employer. Many Medical Assistants have completed programs at a postsecondary institution such as the Allen School of Health Sciences – Phoenix Campus. At the Allen School, our blended program of online and an interactive hands-on classroom experience in a clinical setting can be accomplished in less than a year.

The Allen School of Health Sciences – Phoenix campus is offering virtual and in-person campus tours for enrollment for our medical assistant program. Classes are starting soon! Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School Phoenix campus family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn more.

-Allen School

Tips for Working Through the End of the Year as a Medical Assistant. 

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1. Plan Ahead

If you’re working during the winter season, then you know your schedule is bound to get hectic. Try to complete your plans early so whatever is on your list, you can get it done in a timely fashion to avoid any unnecessary stress.

2. Set Expectations

If your work schedule is concrete and you know you will be working for the entirety of the holiday season, then it’s time to set expectations and plan with your loved ones. Communicate with your family about which celebrations you can and cannot attend. While they may not fully understand your job’s demands, assure them that you still plan to celebrate and spend time with them safely or virtually.

3. Celebrate Your Holiday Early

If you can’t celebrate on the exact date, choose a different day. Holidays are what you make of them. If your family and friends have a flexible schedule, plan a festive (and safe) get together, uphold traditions, and make the most of your time off.

4. Use Technology to Stay Connected

The last few years have been big for Zoom and other virtual hangouts. If you can’t get together with your friends and family in person, make your gatherings a virtual affair. Even though lockdown has been lifted, virtual meetups are still useful for busy schedules!

5. Put Your Health First

In the final days of the year, people become more susceptible to getting sick. The busy nature of the holiday season, the stress from working, cold temperatures, and flu season increases your risk of contracting an illness. Combat this by putting your health first. Drink plenty of water, maintain a healthy diet, exercise when you can, get plenty of rest, and care for your mental health.

7. Keep Things Festive

Working around the clock doesn’t mean things have to be boring! Celebrate the end of the year with fun activities. Decorate your station with colorful lights. Organize some festivities for your patients and co-workers. Put on your favorite accessories. Whatever you do, do it with a smile on your face and the spirit of the season in your heart.

Time to Begin Your Healthcare Career

Are you ready for a career change? Do you have a passion for helping others? Consider a Medical Assistant career. The Allen School of Health Sciences is enrolling now for classes starting soon. Contact us today! Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

Holiday Gift Ideas for The Medical Assistant Student in Your Life

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1. Personalized Stethoscope

When you think of a Medical Assistant, what are the first things that comes to mind? Scrubs, a clinic and … a stethoscope! The stethoscope is an iconic gift, and there’s no doubt your MA student will be using one; so why not get it personalized? Personalization ensures no one else will take it from them and it’s something they can use for years to come!

2. Writing Utensils

Medical Assistants do a lot of writing from charting your blood pressure to writing down your symptoms so they will need pens that last! Their pen should be black or blue and have grips for added comfort. Try a nice ballpoint or rollerball pen. If you want to add on to this gift idea, throw in some stationary. While Medical Assistants may not write patient information on there, they can use it to jot down notes as they answer phones or take notes on their internship.

3. Soap and Cleaning Products

Medical Assistants encounter all kinds of germs and diseases every day. For the student in your life who is beginning clinicals, a gift of luxurious soap could be the answer to killing those germs while also moisturizing their over-washed hands. You could always add this to a spa-themed gift basket of bath products or spa Gift Card to help your student unwind and relax.

4. Homemade Medical Assistant Gift

If the holiday season is putting a strain on your budget, have no fear! Everyone appreciates a homemade gift, and a Medical Assistant is no exception. Create an MA student “survival kit” with their favorite food, coffee, lotion, hand sanitizer, and anything else you can think of! They will love the creativity and thoughtfulness of this gift.

Now that you have a list of gifts for the Medical Assistant in our life, why not give back to your future healthcare worker! Are you a Medical Assistant? This is your chance to give us some ideas. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allen_school/ and leave your comments.

If you want to be a Medical Assistant or want to learn more, contact the Allen School today! Classes are starting soon. We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family! Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

Personality Traits a Medical Assistant Will Need in the Workplace.

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As a Medical Assistant, you are an important and versatile member of the healthcare team. While performing a variety of clinical and administrative duties, Medical Assistants are in constant communication with patients, doctors, and nurses. This is a career where you can bring your personality to work!

Put Your People Skills to Work:

Medical Assistants often work directly with patients. Because of this, you will need a whole set of skills related to customer service and what is loosely known as “bedside manner.” You will need to explain medical instructions and information in a clear, non-technical way and be able to receive, interview and sometimes triage patients. You’ll also need to remain calm and supportive with distressed or difficult patients. Fluency in a second or third language is helpful and of course, you’ll have to maintain confidentiality

Being personable, upbeat, and positive can make a difference as a Medical Assistant. Your personality and how you handle patient care can make a difference to them and their loved ones. Be respectful to anyone and everyone.

Communication skills:

Among the most important qualities of a Medical Assistant are communication skills, as these are the basic characteristics for this profession. An MA should listen to the patient without interrupting them as they explain their concerns but at the same time, still ask appropriate questions when needed. Communication skills involve clearly narrating any vital instructions given by the doctor to each patient as well. These are some diplomatic ways to obtain the essential information from patients to help the physician treat them efficiently.

Stay Organized:

Whether you’re keeping office areas and exam rooms clean or patient information and medical records organized, you’ll rely on your organizational skills everyday as a Medical Assistant. Staying organized is essential to providing a good patient experience.

Handling stress:

A physician’s office or a hospital is full of activity. This type of workplace can make a Medical Assistant feel a bit stressed out if things get a bit unorganized. With lots of administrative and clinical duties to perform every day, getting centered can prove very helpful. At times, all these work-related stresses can contribute to confusion and anxiety so a Medical Assistant should have the capability to overcome daily stresses.

Reliability

A Medical Assistant is expected to be a reliable person: The physician, healthcare group associates and the incoming patients depend on them which is why as a Medical Assistant you should be punctual, career-focused and value the conventional code of behavior.

Honesty

Among the many Medical Assistant traits, ‘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 confidentiality rule which requires vigilance and care to maintain a patient’s information. Every Medical Assistant will be introduced to circumstances where they need to prove their ethical and moral characteristics on a daily basis, hence, honesty is an important quality to becoming a professional Medical Assistant.

Willpower and Politeness

Sometimes, there is an urge to react in response to a physician who is bursting with questions or to a distressed patient who in a lot of pain. It’s for this reason that having strong willpower towards your personal feelings in a health care environment while remaining polite, is the unique trait that is necessary for you as a good professional.

Are you ready for a new career in healthcare? The Allen School of Health Sciences is enrolling now for classes starting soon! To find out more, contact the Allen School today! Visit www.allenschool.edu  We look forward to you becoming part of the Allen School family.

What Are Some of the Challenges of Being a Medical Assistant?

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Working in the healthcare field can be emotionally and physically challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding and satisfying! While you decide on a new career, why not learn more about the role of a Medical Assistant?

Challenges of Being a Medical Assistant:

A Medical Assistant is a healthcare team member that can work both the front office as well as the back office at any medical clinic. From electronic health records to injections and blood draws, MAs are invaluable to a successful medical clinic. Outside of the day-to-day responsibilities, the most difficult parts of being an MA are related to the unexpected clinical and administrative “emergencies” that can arise during a shift. It is important to remember, however, that these situations can seem much more stressful to the untrained eye than they are to a medical professional. In other words, after finishing the Allen School of Health Sciences Medical Assisting training program, you will have the necessary skills to get you through your workday. There are some trying situations that a Medical Assistant will encounter. Her are a few:

  • Difficult Patients: Medical Assistants interact with many patients each day, and not all those patients will be pleasant. A patient will experience any range of emotions, so as the first, and sometimes last person they see at their appointment, Medical Assistants can face the brunt of their frustration, anxiety, or stress. Even in these unpleasant situations, an MA must maintain their professionalism and exhibit patience.
  • Medical Emergencies: The most common types of emergencies in a doctor’s office are asthma attacks, seizures, and cardiac arrest. These situations can be scary, but as a Medical Assistant, you’ll have the training and confidence to assist with any office medical emergency that presents itself.
  • Emotional Closeness: Medical Assistants often build close relationships with regular patients. Because of this, it can be extremely hard when a patient receives upsetting news or passes away after a long fight with a disease. However, Medical Assistants also have responsibility to other patients and will need to stay professional and composed throughout the workday because all of your patients need you.

The bottom line: Medical assisting can be a challenging career. Can it be stressful? Sure. Is it so stressful that you should pursue another line of work? Absolutely not.

Find out more about a career as a Medical Assistant at the Allen Schooling of Health Sciences. We are currently enrolling for classes starting soon. www.allenschool.edu

Can I Learn Phlebotomy at the Allen School of Health Sciences?

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Medical testing is often required to diagnose a patient. One of the most common tests performed by a Medical Assistant is a blood test. Blood tests can check for a wide range of conditions such as thyroid disorders, complete blood count totals, liver function, and kidney function. In some cases, a condition isn’t necessarily seen or felt by the patient until a blood test confirms that it is present. This is where the Medical Assistant and their phlebotomy skills come in handy. It is their job to draw the blood of patients who require routine blood testing as well as handle a wide range of other medical tests to keep the patient healthy.

What is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is a procedure in which a medical professional draws blood from a patient for testing. Most blood draws are done via venipuncture; This requires either a Vacutainer that contains a syringe and holder for the test tube or a butterfly syringe which is ideal for thinner or hard-to-reach veins. Blood cultures are done similarly to all other phlebotomy procedures, but a larger tube or bottle is used to collect a larger portion of blood. Blood cultures are required if a patient is thought to have septicemia or bacteremia.

Medical Assistants Process in Working with Patients.

One of a Medical Assistant’s duties is to provide care to patients who need phlebotomy testing performed. First, the doctor will order the required test for the patient. It is the Medical Assistant’s job to know which tubes are needed to perform the blood draw. For example, a CBC (complete blood count) requires a purple tube, and an SST (red with gold top) is needed for testing of thyroid conditions and other illnesses. Once the order has been placed and the vials chosen, the Medical Assistant will need to label all the vials to ensure that the patient’s information is valid and easy to read after the blood draw.

A Medical Assistant needs to wear proper protective equipment to protect both themself and the patient. This includes a fresh pair of gloves, lab coat and protective gloves. Next, they need to make the patient comfortable, educate them on the procedure, give each patient at least five minutes to fully relax and understand what is going to be done, and ask the patient if they are well-hydrated to ensure that proper blood flow is assured.

By using a tourniquet and the proper syringe with the vial, the Medical Assistant will locate a vein via palpitation and draw the blood. It’s very important to ask the patient if they are comfortable or if they feel faint. Next, a major step is to remove the tourniquet before taking out the needle from the patient’s arm to prevent blood spurting. After the blood draw, the Medical Assistant will then cover the wound with a clean piece of gauze and skin-safe paper or plastic tape.

Above all, your job as a Medical Assistant is about patient care. If you become a Medical Assistant who wants to be more involved in direct medical care, then having the knowledge and skill set of hands-on training in phlebotomy will give you the opportunity for more medically involved procedures, as well as the chance to work with patients during those procedures.

 If you are interested in becoming a Medical Assistant and want to learn more, contact the Allen School of Health Sciences today! The Allen School teaches phlebotomy in a 50-hour theory and clinical based lab class as part of our Medical Assistant program curriculum.We are enrolling for classes now! www.allenschool.edu