Medical Assisting
Program Level:
Diploma
Associate
Making a visit to a medical office isn’t always the most stress-free event.
You can be in a position to change that by making sure a medical office runs smoothly for its patients. With a diploma or associate degree in medical assisting, you will be provided with the necessary skills to be responsible for a wide range of front-and back-office functions in the medical field. Much of the coursework in this program includes hands-on training where you learn your skills by actually getting to practice them. In the associate degree program you'll also take general education courses that can help you learn to apply skills in critical thinking, logic, communications and problem solving to a medical office environment. Both programs conclude with a 160-hour externship, during which you’ll use your new skills performing administrative and patient contact tasks at a functioning, real-world medical facility just like you'll be doing once you start your career. With your degree you'll have the background required for entry into the field as a medical assistant, certified nurse assistant*, emergency room technician* or healthcare specialist.
*Westwood does not certify graduates in this field. Graduates wishing to attain certification must take and pass any applicable tests/exams.
Medical Assisting Course Information
A medical assisting diploma or associate degree opens up a world of possibilities. Course topics include:
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Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:
- Apply for a position as a medical assistant, certified nurse assistant*, emergency room technician*, health care specialist, clinical associate, clinical technician, home health aide, patient care coordinator or phlebotomist
- Utilize a wide range of front- and back-office skills
Locations offering the diploma in
Medical Assisting
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Georgia Illinois |
Texas |
Locations offering the associate degree in
Medical Assisting
|
Colorado |
Georgia |
*Westwood does not certify graduates in this field. Graduates wishing to attain certification must take and pass any applicable tests/exams.
Where could your Medical Assisting diploma or degree take you?
Take a look at a few of the career paths that might be yours with a medical assisting diploma or associate degree from Westwood College
Medical Assistant
- Perform administrative tasks, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping
- Perform clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, chiropractors and other health practitioners running smoothly
- Collect and prepare specimens and perform basic laboratory tests on premises, dispose of contaminated supplies and sterilize medical instruments
Certified Nurse Assistant*
- Provide hands-on care and perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff
- Help patients to eat, dress and bathe
- Answer calls for help, deliver messages, serve meals, make beds and tidy up rooms
- Take patient’s temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate and blood pressure
Emergency Room Technician*
- Optimize patient care in the emergency room by providing doctors and nurses with technical assistance
- perform phlebotomy and IV starts, transport patients to other departments, place patients on cardiac and vital sign monitors and perform 12 lead EKGs
*Westwood does not certify graduates in this field. Graduates wishing to attain certification must take and pass any applicable tests/exams.
Westwood has prepared our medical assisting graduates for careers with employers such as:
COLORADO REGION*
| Boulder Community Hospital | Davita Dialysis |
| Broomfield Pediatrics | Family Health Care Center |
| Center of Surgical Specialists | Flatiron Internal Medicine |
| Cherry Creek Foot Clinic | Provant Health Solutions |
| Colorado Heart Clinic | South Denver OB-GYN |
| Concentra | Village Pediatrics |
GEORGIA REGION*
| Avery Home Healthcare | Mobile Medical Associates |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta | Paramount In-home Care |
| Eastside Internal Medicine | Parkway Medical |
| Georgia Family Care | Walton Regional Medical Center |
| Highland Park Physical Therapy | Westcare Pediatrics |
| International Medical Center | William Breman Jewish Home |
ILLINOIS REGION*
| Advocate Trinity Hospital | Holy Cross Hospital |
| American Red Cross | Life Source |
| Chicago Family Health Center | Methodist Hospital |
| Children and Teens Medical Center | Mobile Medical Corporation |
| Christ Hospital and Medical Center | Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago |
| Contemporary Care for Women | Rush University Medical Center |
| Department of Human Services | Tri State Manor Nursing Home |
| Dupage Medical Group | University of Chicago Hospital |
| East Chicago Community Health | West Suburban Cardiologists |
TEXAS REGION*
| American Heart Association | Health South Rehab Hospital |
| American Institute of Medicine | HealthSouth |
| APPA Paramedical Services | Healthy Achievers |
| Baylor Health Care Systems | Heart Center of North Texas |
| Bayside Urgent Care | INOVA Health Care of Richardson |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Texas | Mesquite Specialty Hospital |
| Carter Blood Care | Metroplex Orthopedics |
| Childrens Medical Center | Plano Internal Medicine |
| Concentra | Rainbow Pediatrics |
| Diamond Hill Medical Center | South Texas Medical Center |
| Gemini Digital Imaging | Sugarland Eye and Laser Center |
| Good Shepherd Heart Care, PLLC | Texas Institute of Anti-Aging Medicine |
| Gulf Coast Treatment Center | University Womens Health Specialists |
*Westwood College must track the initial employers of its graduates for regulatory and accreditation purposes. This list is taken from a compilation of employers of Westwood College graduates from each region from June 2007 to June 2008. This is not intended to represent an endorsement of Westwood College by the listed employers.
The Higher Learning Commission invites comments about Westwood College
Denver, CO - Westwood College will undergo a comprehensive HLC initial accreditation evaluation visit starting on May 4, 2009. A team representing The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools will visit all Westwood College campuses.
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