Where The Future Is In Your Hands

At GMC the future is truly in your hands. After completing our Medical Assistant program, graduates are prepared for an entry level position in the field. You can change your future in less than a year!

Many Medical Assistants (MAs) continue their education progressing to higher levels of certification such as Certified Medical Assistant or Registered Medical Assistant. Supervisory positions in institutional settings might require an Associate’s Degree. MAs also progress into administrative positions in businesses that support physician practices. Having earned at least an associate’s degree, many MAs become medical assistant educators.

Our Program

At-A-Glance:

  • Program Length: 49 Weeks
  • Class Size: 15 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Retention Rate: 92% (Source: 2018-2019 Annual Reports)
  • Job Placement Rate: 80% (Source: 2018-2019 Annual Reports)
  • Morning & Evening Classes Available
  • Diploma Awarded Upon Completion
  • Hands-On Training
  • Excellent Externship Program
  • Free Uniforms & Backpacks
  • Financial Aid Available!
  • Covers both Administrative and Clinical duties

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the training program, graduates will:

  • Be able to identify the roles and responsibilities of the medical assistant.
  • Have knowledge of safety measures to prevent injury to patients, as well as the medical team.
  • Know how to communicate in an effective manner with the medical team and patients.
  • Be able to apply ethical and legal standards to issues in the medical environment.
  • Have knowledge of professional work habits; understand proper office and compartment cleaning methods for safety of patients and the medical team.
  • Understand medical terminology.
  • Be able to perform administrative office procedures.
  • Be proficient in HIPPA laws and know the importance of confidentiality and patient privacy.
  • Know how to handle patient specimens correctly and process them accurately.

Occupation/Job Titles

Upon graduation, some of the occupations/job titles Medical Assistant program graduates qualify for include (but are not limited to):

  • Medical Assistant
  • Administrative Medical Assistant
  • Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Medical Secretary

For a detailed job profile, please visit O*NET’s summary report for Medical Assistants here.

Federal Gainful Employment Disclosure

View this program’s Federal Gainful Employment Disclosure here.

Career Profile

Description

Medical assistants perform administrative duties, including answering telephones, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services. Clinical duties include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms (EKGs), remove sutures, and change dressings.

Duties
  • Record patient history and personal information
  • Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure
  • Help the physician with patient examinations
  • Give patients injections or medications as directed by the physician and as permitted by state law
  • Schedule patient appointments
  • Prepare blood samples for laboratory tests
  • Enter patient information into medical records
Demand

Medical Assisting is a fast-growing profession. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical assistants to grow 23% from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Average Working Hours

The average work week is 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. Overtime may be applicable.

Physical Demands
  • Standing: 70% of workday
  • Sitting: 10% of workday
  • Walking: 20% of workday
  • Lifting: 10 pounds
  • Carrying: 10 pounds
  • Reaching: No more than 1-2 feet
  • Neck Movement: 20 degrees maximum
  • Talking: Interaction with patients, employees and supervisors.
Typical Environment
  • Inside: 100%
  • Temperature: Average climate for office setting
  • Hazards: Working with patients (anticipated to be minimal).
Machines, Equipment, & Work Aids
  • Computer
  • Photocopier
  • EKG
  • Telephone
  • Fax Machine
  • Stethoscope

Program FAQ

What do Medical Assistants do?

Medical Assistants perform administrative duties like scheduling appointments and filing medical records, conduct clinical duties like recording vital signs, and assist the physician during examinations. A more detailed description can be found under the Medical Assistant Career Profile.

How long is the Medical Assitant program?

49 Weeks

When does the program start?

We have 4 start dates annually.

Do you offer externships?

Yes, all of our programs include an externship. Click here for more information.

Do you offer financial aid?

Yes. See our Financial Aid page for more information.

Is GMC accredited?

Yes. You can find our accreditation and approval information here, as well as on the ABHES website and BPPE website.

Is job placement assistance available?

Yes, we offer career counseling and planning services at GMC and are proud of our 85% institutional job placement rate.

What do I get when I finish?

Upon successful completion of the Medical Assistant program at GMC, graduates will receive a diploma.

What is the difference between a certification & a diploma?

The difference is often a preference or intention of use. Students may be advised to enroll in one or the other depending on what they intend to do with the specific education or skills gained.

A certificate program is usually shorter in length, probably a couple of months, after which a certificate is granted stating completion of the program. Certification programs focus more on a general idea of job skills as opposed to specialty skill development in healthcare areas. Certification programs often lack hands-on training or externships, which give students practical clinical experience and a chance to practice the skills defined in the classroom. In many states, certification programs may limit job placement opportunities and be a barrier in obtaining state licensure or national certification, depending on state and organization.

Diploma programs are longer in duration, ranging anywhere from months to years to complete. As a result, they also often cost more. A diploma will be awarded after the successful completion of the program as defined by specified grades or marks in the sequence of courses. Diploma programs tend to include more courses within the program of study, giving students the opportunity to gain knowledge in various areas of practice associated with their chosen field. Students who complete diploma programs tend to have many job opportunities available and may apply for a variety of job titles associated with their program. (Please refer to our programs page for detailed job titles). Diploma programs also give students hands-on training and externship opportunities and are often a better qualifying method when applying for state licensure or qualifying for a national certification