Medical Assisting Degrees

The medical assisting degree prepares students to enter the field of medical assisting, where they will provide administrative and clinical support to healthcare offices.

Medical assistants normally work in the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health professionals. In the small practice office, medical assistants work on both the clinical and administrative side of the business. Medical assistants that work in larger healthcare centers usually specialize in a certain department, including cardiac, prenatal, podiatry, pediatrics, mental health, and numerous others. At this level, assistants are usually classified into administrative or clinical. Administrative medical assistants manage patients’ medical records, prepare insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. Clinical medical assistants regularly take medical histories and record vital signs, and assist doctors during procedures. These assistants might also prepare medications, change dressings, and prepare patients for x-rays. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants earn between around $24,000 and $33,000 annually.

Students looking for medical assisting programs can find them at vocational high schools, post high school vocational schools, and community colleges. Courses include anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, keyboarding, transcription, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing.

Degrees in Medical Assisting

Bryant & Stratton College: AAS in Medical Administrative Assistant (Office & Billing)
Herzing University: AS in Medical Assisting Service
Kaplan University: AAS in Medical Assisting
Keiser University: AS in Medical Assisting

Top Online Surgical Technician Degree Programs

Like many other technician and assistant fields, few schools offer distance learning programs specifically for becoming a Surgical Technician. In many cases though, students start with an undergraduate degree in healthcare and receive on-the-job training later. Click through the following links to request more information on the programs from each school.

AAS in Medical Assisting AAS in Health IT AAS in Human Services	Kaplan University — Apply for this school's associate degree in Medical Assisting to achieve a strong foundation in surgical technology. This course is ideal for a fast and flexible solution to your online degree as you earn an entry-level education that concentrates on helping students acquire knowledge and develop skills in performing laboratory, clinical, and medical office procedures. Kaplan also offers degrees in human services and health information technology.
AS in Medical Assisting AA in Health Services	Keiser University — For working adults who need a flexible class schedule, Keiser's associate's degree in medical assisting may be the ideal program for aspiring surgical techs. In most cases, this program can be completed within one year and should provide all the training needed to begin a career as a healthcare professional. Kesier also offers an AA degree in health services administration.
AS in Health IT BS in Health IT	DeVry University — For aspiring surgical technicians who want a bigger role in patient data management, DeVry University's associate's degree in health information technology prepares students to learn application systems and work with managing electronic health information databases. (A bachelor's degree in this subject is also available.) HIT professsionals work with nurse, doctors, and other health care providers.
BS in Health Care Mgmt	Harrison College — Harrison College has an online program for students interested in becoming surgical technicians for a Bachelors of Science in Health Care Management; both of which are accredited. These programs are a perfect choice for students seeking to jump-start their careers and enter the workforce with the knowledge needed to succeed.
AS in Allied Health Science	South University — Try on South University's associate degree in Allied Health Science for size. This online program provides students with the information and training needed to begin a career in surgical technology, as it is designed to expose students to a broad education in general studies combined with an emphasis on life science subjects such as anatomy and physiology, chemistry, nutrition, and pathophysiology.
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