The Medical Assisting Degree

We know many medical assistant college graduates who were immediately hired into permanent positions because of their degree. Many U.S. colleges and universities are now offering two year programs leading to an Associate Degree (AS) in Medical Assisting. This leads to the question whether a degree in medical assisting is better than a certificate, or diploma from a vocational training institution.

1. Is a medical assisting degree better than just a diploma and
   therefore worth my time and money?
   
2. Will a medical assisting degree from a college better my
   chances of getting hired?

If you are planning to pursue a medical assistant career, but are not sure whether you should enroll into an accelerated medical assistant program to earn a diploma quickly, rather than spending an extended time and more money on a college degree, then you should first evaluate your short and long time goals and be very clear about your future aspirations and ultimate career goals and then pursuing them. For example, if you are also interested in exposing and developing x-rays, or using ultrasound modalities, then you may look into a program that offers a medical assistant diploma, or degree, that also includes a basic x-ray license.

Employment Opportunities and Career Advancement With A Degree

We know many medical assistant college graduates who were immediately hired into permanent positions because of their degree. Many U.S. colleges and universities are now offering two year programs leading to an Associate Degree (AS) in Medical Assisting. This leads to the question whether a degree in medical assisting is better than a certificate, or diploma from a vocational training institution.

1. Claudia told us: "... my school places you in a hospital, or clinic for training, and most graduates find jobs right where they did their externship."
2. Steven told us: "... the last graduating class had one hundred percent of their medical assistants find jobs. That's good news, considering the current economy."
3. Cecilia told us: "... having graduated with an AS degree helped to eliminate the usual 1-2 years of experience requirement most employers want before they even hire medical assistants."

An ever increasing number of doctors are putting expertly trained medical assistants with a degree in positions previously held by nursing staff, such as  LPNs. They have discovered that a properly trained medical assistant can safely handle medical office equipment, and may be allowed to do clincal skills such as:

• ECG/EKG and Holter monitor setup
• injections and vaccines
• X-rays and ultrasound (may require basic x-ray license)
• apply allergy testing (scratch test)
• conduct simple visual and auditory acuity screening
• medical office administration responsibilities

An AS degree in Medical Assisting can open doors to countless employment and career advancement opportunities virtually anywhere in the world.