Embarking on a career as a Medical Assistant is a fantastic choice for those passionate about healthcare and patient well-being. If you’re considering the Career Step Medical Assistant program, a key question on your mind is likely: “How long will this program take?” Understanding the program’s duration and what it encompasses is crucial for planning your career move. Let’s delve into the Career Step Medical Assistant program and explore what you can expect in terms of time commitment and curriculum.
The Career Step Medical Assistant program is designed to be a comprehensive, self-paced online course, allowing you to learn at your own speed and around your existing schedule. While the program is self-paced, it is structured to provide a robust education covering all the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel as a medical assistant. It’s not just about speed; it’s about ensuring you are thoroughly prepared for your new career.
Comprehensive Curriculum for Career Readiness
The Career Step program is structured into modules that cover a wide spectrum of topics, from foundational knowledge to practical skills and career preparation. Here’s a breakdown of the key areas you will study:
Foundational Knowledge and Basic Sciences
The program starts by building a strong foundation in the healthcare field. You’ll be introduced to the medical assisting profession, understanding its scope, roles, and the importance of certification. Crucially, you’ll master medical terminology – the language of healthcare – learning how to decipher complex terms using prefixes, suffixes, and root words. This section also touches upon the vital role of nutrition in health and disease and the psychological aspects of patient interaction.
Anatomy and Physiology Essentials
A solid understanding of the human body is paramount for any medical professional. This module provides an essential overview of anatomy and physiology, covering all the body systems. You will learn about everything from the structure of the skin to the intricacies of the nervous system, ensuring you have a working knowledge of how the body functions. This knowledge is crucial for understanding medical procedures and patient care.
Patient Care and Pharmacology Basics
The heart of medical assisting lies in patient care. You will learn the fundamental principles of general patient care, including how to prepare examination rooms and patients for various procedures. Pharmacology basics are also covered, introducing you to drug classifications, their effects, and important medical abbreviations related to medications. This knowledge is vital for assisting physicians and ensuring patient safety.
Infection Control and Laboratory Procedures
Maintaining a safe and hygienic environment is crucial in healthcare. This module covers infection control protocols, including preventative measures and understanding infectious diseases. You will also gain insight into testing and laboratory procedures, learning how to collect and handle specimens, perform basic vision and hearing screenings, and understand common laboratory techniques.
Practical Skills: Phlebotomy and EKG
The Career Step program goes beyond theoretical knowledge to equip you with practical skills highly sought after in medical assisting. You will receive training in phlebotomy – the art of drawing blood – learning techniques, equipment usage, and patient care before, during, and after blood collection. Furthermore, you’ll be trained in EKG (electrocardiogram) procedures, understanding the anatomy of the heart and the steps involved in performing an EKG.
Medical Administration and Electronic Health Records
Medical assistants play a crucial role in the administrative side of healthcare. This program covers medical administrative assisting, including healthcare delivery models, types of medical services, and ancillary services. You’ll also become proficient in using Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, learning patient record management, scheduling, clinical information reporting, and revenue cycle management.
Medical Law, Ethics, and HIPAA
Navigating the legal and ethical landscape of healthcare is essential. The program includes modules on medical law and ethics, covering legal issues related to prescriptions, medication administration, medical documentation, and patient privacy. You will also receive comprehensive training on HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), ensuring you understand patient privacy rules, security regulations, and compliance.
Externship Readiness and Career Success
Career Step emphasizes not just education but also career readiness. The program includes dedicated modules focused on externship readiness skills, helping you develop time management, critical thinking, and communication skills. You’ll learn how to craft a compelling resume, master interview techniques, and cultivate a professional image. The program also guides you through the process of applying for your required externship, providing resources and support to secure valuable hands-on experience.
Program Completion and Beyond
The program culminates in a final exam to assess your comprehensive knowledge. Upon successful completion, you will be prepared to take the next steps in your career. The program also includes guidance on post-completion steps, ensuring you are ready to launch your medical assisting career.
Program Duration: Self-Paced Learning
Because the Career Step Medical Assistant program is self-paced, the exact time it takes to complete varies from person to person. Factors influencing completion time include your study habits, the time you dedicate each week, and your prior learning experience.
However, to give you a general idea, many students complete the program within several months to a year. The curriculum is designed to be in-depth yet flexible, allowing you to balance your studies with other life commitments. The focus is on mastering the material and gaining practical skills, not just rushing through the coursework.
Invest in Your Future
The Career Step Medical Assistant program is an investment in your future healthcare career. While the duration is self-paced, the comprehensive curriculum ensures you gain the necessary knowledge and skills to confidently enter the medical assisting field. By focusing on a well-rounded education and practical career preparation, Career Step aims to equip you for long-term success, not just a quick certification. If you are looking for a flexible, thorough, and career-focused medical assistant program, Career Step offers a robust pathway to achieving your goals.
