Medical Assisting Degree

Medical Assisting Associate Degree

Mount Wachusett Community College’s Medical Assisting certificate and associate degrees program prepare students for a fast-paced, rewarding career in the medical industry. Our students become an integral part of a healthcare team trained to work in outpatient settings while supporting the internal operations of the office.

Medical assistants perform many important tasks such as scheduling appointments, drawing blood, phoning in prescriptions, assessing vital signs, administering immunizations, and assisting with examinations. Whether you are just starting out in the field or are looking to advance your career, MWCC can help!

Healthcare employers prefer that their medical assistants be certified. That is why MWCC medical assisting associate degree program and our nine-course certificate program prepare you to sit for various medical assisting certifications upon graduation such as AMT (RMA), NHA (CCMA) and NCCT (NCMA).” MWCC has partnered with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to provide you with a comprehensive review needed to pass the CCMA certification exam. The MAS 240 course – Medical Assisting Seminar – prepares you for the board exam offered by NHA and obtain your CCMA credential.

Why Study Medical Assisting at MWCC?

If you enjoy helping people and creating a positive healthcare environment for patients and coworkers, becoming a medical assistant is the perfect career. As part of the program, you complete an externship to practice your clinical and administrative skills in a real-world setting. You will be placed in a real medical office, clinic, or healthcare practice to gain valuable experience and be fully involved in the environment. Studying at MWCC provides you with real-world knowledge from both the externship and the depth of courses offered.

Classes include Introduction to Medical Assisting, Medical Assisting Clinical and Lab Procedures, Principles of Pharmacology, Medical Terminology & the Body Systems, Medical Law and Ethics, and Medical Administrative Procedures for the certificate program. These classes help you better assist medical practitioners and patients while building relationships that will improve the healthcare industry as a whole. The Medical Specialty Procedures and Basic Pathophysiology courses added in the associate degree program provide advance training for our students to perform efficiently in specialized medical practice. Our medical assisting program will guide you in learning the ethics, terminology, professionalism, basic and advanced clinical skills in medical assisting.

Enjoy Flexibility When You Enroll at MWCC

Students enrolled at MWCC lead full, busy lives. Many hold down a full-time job while going to school. Others are parents or grandparents who squeeze classes in around childcare. We provide flexible options to allow students of every age with differing schedules to attend our classes.

We offer both in person and online courses in our medical assisting program so you can fit your schoolwork around your job or family duties. You can also enroll in our medical assisting general education courses in the summer to avoid a gap between high school graduation and the start of your college career.

Careers in Medical Assisting

MWCC graduates find fulfilling careers supporting patients and doctors while working in the heart of the healthcare office. Medical assistants help the medical practice run smoothly and the expertise you gain through our courses could save lives. The aging population will continue to demand more medical services, so doctors and physicians will be looking for more assistants to aid in routine care, allowing for more patients to be seen.

*Medical assistants earn as much as $50,580 per year. **According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for medical assistants is projected to see 18% job growth by 2028. They work in places such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.

Jobs You Can Get With a Medical Assisting Certificate or Associate Degree

For students who enjoy helping others and have organizational and people skills, earning a medical assisting certificate or associate degree in Gardner, MA, offers many possibilities. The healthcare field has a range of entry-level through advanced opportunities for our graduates, including:

  • Medical office assistant
  • Medical claims examiner
  • Phlebotomy technician
  • EKG technician
  • Patient Care Associate II (PCA II)
  • Lead medical assistant

You can also explore jobs related more indirectly to healthcare, such as a public health inspector. You may decide to use your skills to enter the healthcare management field as well. The ongoing growth of the healthcare field makes it an excellent industry to join right now.

Why Choose Community College for Your Education?

When reviewing medical assistant programs in Massachusetts, you will find MWCC has one of the state’s top programs. Community colleges provide excellent education at a fraction of the cost of a four-year college. You receive excellent academics at MWCC, which employs some of the same adjunct faculty members as nearby four-year schools, without the hefty tuition fees.

Students can also explore programs that teach them valuable skills they can utilize immediately upon graduation. Their class schedule focuses on moving them into their chosen field and studying alongside people with similar interests.

Benefits of Getting a Medical Assisting Degree in Gardner, MA

MWCC is the right place to pursue a medical assistant certificate or associate degree. We provide quality education at an affordable price. Our professors care about each student and offer them extra help and guidance when they need it. Our small class sizes encourage students to ask questions and make getting assistance more accessible. Each student enjoys free career planning and personalized academic planning.

We believe everyone deserves access to a great education. Our programs provide extra aid to those who may need it:

  • Have you served in the military? Our school has an award-winning Veterans Service department that helps soldiers transition smoothly to becoming students.
  • Do you have children? The CCAMPIS program (Child Care Access Means Parents In School) supports parents attending classes by providing child care.
  • Is your family struggling with food insecurity? Our Campus Pantry hands students up to 20 items per month. You can choose from school supplies, personal hygiene products, or canned goods, among other offerings.

We carry outstanding academics with support programs that show you people care about you and your education. Plus, applying to MWCC is easy — there is no essay portion of the application, and it doesn’t cost anything to apply.

Start Your Medical Assisting Degree or Medical Assisting Certificate at MWCC

Mount Wachusett Community College’s Medical Assisting associate degree and certificate programs can put you on the track towards a rewarding lifelong career. Our affordability and location in one of the best states for healthcare in the country make us the perfect choice for aspiring medical professionals.

Interested in learning more? Request information or fill out your application now!

 

*Source: CareerOneStop

**Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics