Medical Assistant: Diploma Program Summary

About this article
A medical assistant diploma is one of the best investments one can make at the moment, as medical assistants are the number one most desired employees in the country. Typical coursework includes anatomy, physiology, medical law and ethics, medical coding and pharmacology. Read on to find out more.
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What is a Medical Assistant Diploma?

Medical assistant education combines instruction in general office tasks and medical practice to produce a graduate that is specifically suited for administrative support work in a medical setting. Medical assistants must possess strong communicative skills, and suitably receive instruction in this field. A graduate with a medical assistant diploma also must know medical terminology and medical coding, and be able to perform basic medical tasks such as draw blood, take a blood pressure reading, administer medications and change dressings. Basic human anatomy and physiology are also integral knowledge for a medical assistant. Typical coursework for a medical assistant diploma contains the following:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • English Composition
  • Medical Law and Ethics
  • Clinical Competency
  • Human Disease
  • Medical Coding
  • Pharmacology
  • Medical Office Management

Why Get a Medical Assistant Diploma?

A medical assistant degree will prepare you for the fastest growing career in the country. Due to the highly accelerating growth of the healthcare industry, the demand for medical assistants to oversee the administrative operations of medical environments will skyrocket in the coming years. A medical assistant diploma will qualify you for these positions.

What Can One do With a Medical Assistant Diploma?

A medical assistant degree prepares you for a career providing administrative and basic medical support for a healthcare environment such as a physician's office, hospital, hospice care facility, primary care facility, nursing home, or similar facility. Medical assistants' duties are different according to the place of employment, but usually include administrative tasks such as answering phones, processing patients, billing, helping patients with insurance, and such tasks. Duties also include basic medical tasks such as drawing blood, taking vital signs, and administering medication.

How are Medical Assistants Compensated?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, (www.bls.gov), the median annual income for medical assistants in 2004 was about $25,000.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • Health Services Administration - BS
      • Health Services Administration - BS
    Associate's
      • Health Services Administration - AAS
      • Health Services Administration - AAS
    Certificate
      • Medical Assisting - Diploma
      • Health Services Admin Diploma
      • Health Services Assistant - Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Health Administration: Operational Leadership (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Health Administration: Operational Leadership (Quantitative Leadership)
    Master's
      • MBA: Health Systems Management
      • Master of Science in Health Administration with an Emphasis in Health Care Quality and Patient Safety
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences: Trauma Informed Care
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences: General
      • Doctor of Health Sciences: General
    Certificate
      • CTG: Clinical Leadership
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MBA: Health Care Management
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor: Health and Wellness
  • Chicago, IL

    Northwestern College

  • Online Programs Available
    6. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Western Governors University

  • Richmond, KY

    Eastern Kentucky University

  • Dayton, OH

    Southwestern College

Featured Schools

Bryant & Stratton College

  • Health Services Administration - BS
  • Health Services Administration - AAS
  • Medical Assisting - Diploma

What is your high school graduation status?

Grand Canyon University

  • Doctor of Health Administration: Operational Leadership (Qualitative Research)
  • Doctor of Health Administration: Operational Leadership (Quantitative Leadership)
  • MBA: Health Systems Management
  • Master of Science in Health Administration with an Emphasis in Health Care Quality and Patient Safety

What is your highest level of education?

Liberty University

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences: Trauma Informed Care
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences: General
  • CTG: Clinical Leadership

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • MBA: Health Care Management
  • Bachelor: Health and Wellness

Which subject are you interested in?

Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your highest level of education?