The U.S. Department of Labor expects medical assisting to be one of the fastest-growing occupations through 2014.* Employment growth will be derived from the increased number of health care facilities seeking medical assistants who can handle both administrative and clinical duties. A Kaplan College education can provide you with the skills necessary to pursue a career as a medical secretary/assistant.
Program Focuses on Diverse Skills
Kaplan College's medical secretary/assistant curriculum provides you with not only the training required by employers for medical assisting, but also a solid foundation of medical secretarial skills. The goal of this program is to increase your marketability and expand your career choices. In addition to general education courses, topics of instruction may include:
- Anatomy, physiology, and human diseases
- Keyboarding and data information processing
- Medical billing, coding, and transcription
- Medical terminology and office management
Real-World Externship Experience
Prior to graduation, you will be required to complete an externship to gain on-the-job experience at a real-world health care facility. You must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prior to starting your externship. Contact an Admissions Representative for additional information.
Certification Preparation
In addition, the curriculum can also help you prepare for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam sponsored by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).†
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded an associate of applied science degree and may pursue entry-level positions in clinics, labs, hospitals, physicians' offices, insurance companies, and other health care organizations.‡
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition.
† However, the College cannot guarantee a student's eligibility either to take this exam or become certified. A student's eligibility may depend on his or her work experience, completion of high school (or its equivalent), not having a criminal record, meeting other licensure or certification requirements, or the program or College itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure. Externship sites may themselves require a criminal background check or medical examination.