How Long Does it Take to Become a Medical Assistant?
If you enjoy working with people and have an interest in the medical or healthcare field, consider becoming a medical assistant. The healthcare sector in the United States continues to grow, and workers are needed at all levels to assist in patient care.
Our medical assistant training program at Unitech Training Academy provides an entry to a career that is fulfilling. One of the many exciting programs offered by Unitech Training Academy, the medical assistant program is offered at all six campus locations in Louisiana. Here, we discuss the timeline for completing our program.
Complete Our Medical Assistant Program in 9 Months
Organized in a convenient hybrid format that blends classroom instruction with online learning, the medical assistant program at Unitech Training Academy can be completed in as few as nine months. The program features some online learning, as well as traditional classroom instruction, hands-on lab experiences, and a practical externship. Successful students graduate with a diploma in a short time, after gaining knowledge and developing skills related to working as a medical assistant.
Healthcare contains many varied specialties and patient-care settings, so the role of the medical assistant can vary. However, with a strong foundation of concepts and skills, graduates of our program can perform many of the required tasks. These may include:
- Preparing examination rooms
- Sterilizing equipment
- Taking vital signs and recording patient histories
- Assisting in minor surgical procedures
- Taking part in laboratory operations, including urinalysis
- Helping patients during radiology procedures
- Administering electrocardiograms
- Performing administrative duties, including appointments and billing procedures
The program covers a variety of essential duties and core principles. These include the following:
- Introduction to Medical Assisting
- Anatomy and Pathophysiology
- Patient Education and Safety in the Medical Office
- Administrative Duties, Office and Administrative Duties for the Medical Assistant
- Clinical Medical Assisting Duties
- Pharmacology
- Electronic Health Records
- Capstone or research project
- Externship, working in the local community
Medical Assistant Program Details
The courses in the medical assisting program at Unitech Training Academy are substantial, and include aspects of hands-on patient care, as well as the administrative duties prevalent in healthcare. On the job, many medical assistants perform both types of tasks, but some specialize in one type. Within this basic specialization, there are numerous opportunities to focus on certain areas, such as:
- Medical specialty
- Type of disease
- Demographic demarcations, such as the age of the patient group
- Tasks performed (i.e., discovering a preference for laboratory duties over medical billing tasks)
Our program provides solid skills and experience that is well-rounded, so our graduates can work in several types of offices or other clinical settings and see what fits best for them.
Access Unitech Training Academy Resources
Unitech Training Academy offers many additional resources offered to students. Those who qualify can apply for financial aid to help with program costs. Our instructors are experienced in the classroom, as well as in the real world of healthcare and medical assisting. They offer students a well-balanced, practical approach to this career. There are also several other programs, both online and hybrid, which explore a variety of healthcare occupations, including:
Medical Billing and Coding
Insurance claims and medical billing and coding are crucial aspects of modern healthcare. This is how caregivers are paid, and how patients obtain the care they need. Careful medical coding is essential to accurate public health records, as well as individual health data. This can be a fascinating subject and requires dedicated study. Unitech Training Academy offers this program only online.
Medical Office Assistant
When students choose to pursue a career as a medical office assistant, they will find many similarities to the medical assistant role. However, office assistants usually do not engage in direct patient care, patient education, or hands-on procedures. Medical office tasks include ordering supplies, scheduling appointments, handling initial paperwork for medical billing, and other office-related tasks.
EKG/Phlebotomy Technician
The job of drawing blood is not for everyone, but for those who are attracted to this occupation, it is worthwhile and fulfilling. EKGs or electrocardiograms are another hands-on patient care specialty. In performing the role of the EKG or phlebotomy technician, there is interaction with many different patients. These roles require dexterity, scientific understanding, and empathy.
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are directed by licensed pharmacists, and the work is focused on providing medications to patients, as well as helping them understand their medications. It can be a rewarding role for someone who enjoys working with people and helping them.
Apply to the Medical Assistant Program at Unitech Training Academy
Don’t wait to begin your satisfying healthcare career as a medical assistant. Apply to the medical assistant program at Unitech Training Academy. Get started now.
Medical Billing and Coding: The Backbone of Healthcare Operations
Medical billing and coding professionals don’t always come to mind when most of us think of healthcare, but these white-collar workers play a vital role. Their job is to maintain an important level of accuracy in medical records. They are also responsible for processing medical billing to health insurance companies. Through these efforts, medical practices and organizations get paid, and patients can get the treatments and procedures they need.
At Unitech Training Academy, our Medical Billing and Coding program is available online for students in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama who wish to pursue a career that is key to modern healthcare. Here, we discuss the important role of medical billers and coders.
What Is Medical Coding?
There are standardized medical codes used around the world that designate specific medical diagnoses, examinations, procedures, treatments, and other elements of healthcare. There are several different types of codes, and they specify body parts and systems, as well as diseases and traumatic injuries. The two most commonly known coding systems are ICD, or the International Classification of Diseases, and CPT, or Current Procedural Terminology. Medical billers and coders are experts in these codes, and assure consistency throughout medical records and bills sent to insurance companies.
The process of medical coding enables patient records to reflect information useful for billing health insurance companies. Because the health information contained in these medical codes is finely detailed, it also offers an opportunity to collect data for research and to track medical outcomes related to procedures and conditions. However, medical and health information is confidential and must be treated carefully and ethically. That’s why medical billers and coders receive specialized training that includes privacy compliance protocols and other aspects of healthcare administration.
Vital Roles for Medical Coding and Billing Specialists
At Unitech Training Academy, students in the online Medical Billing and Coding program can develop a wide variety of knowledge and skills related to the medical field. This type of job training is designed to help graduates fit into different types of health and medical workplaces, and adapt to existing procedures. It also prepares them to eventually become ethical leaders at work and in their profession.
There are three main areas in healthcare where medical coding can play an important role.
Healthcare Administration
Managing revenue cycles keeps healthcare practices and institutions operating. A steady stream of payments for services rendered is at the core of any business. When it comes to the business of healthcare, health insurance companies are a major source of income for practitioners and organizations. Through medical coding, the process of submitting bills for medical services is streamlined, so patients can keep receiving life-saving medical treatments and practitioners can earn a living.
Health Data Management
Because patient records are coded and organized digitally, it is possible to use the data for several purposes. Each healthcare workplace uses this data to examine cash flow, expenditures, and patient outcomes. On a larger scale, research institutions and government organizations use data that has been stripped of any individual patient identifiers to measure health trends, evaluate new techniques or treatments, and make predictions about healthcare costs at a national level.
Patient Privacy
Medical coding and billing professionals adhere to a strict code of conduct that protects the privacy of individual patients. Their work involves close contact with EHR files, and their knowledge of the laws and regulations governing their use places them in an excellent position to ensure that the whole organization is compliant with health confidentiality statutes.
Become a Key Player on the Healthcare Team
If you have been considering a career change, or are starting in the working world, it may be time to apply for admission to the online medical billing and coding program at Unitech Training Academy. We welcome students who are interested in medicine and health, and who are detail-oriented. To work in medical biller and coder roles, students must use computers and data sheets, and have an orientation toward helping others. After successfully completing the program, our students are eligible to take a certification examination with the National Center for Competency Testing for insurance and coding specialist certification.
Earn a Diploma in Medical Billing and Coding at Unitech Training Academy
Our online Medical Billing and Coding program can be completed in as few as nine months. It is offered fully online and is available to students in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Eligible students may receive financial aid in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships. Find out how you can get started now.
The Role of Medical Billing and Coding in Patient Care
You may be familiar with the statements sent by health insurance companies recording payments and reimbursements made to healthcare providers. These statements also indicate when certain procedures or treatments were denied coverage. Medical billing and coding professionals who work with your physicians and other healthcare practitioners determine how insurance companies are billed for care received. This billing process involves medical codes that designate each type of examination, procedure, or treatment.
Explore the role that this process plays in patient care, and learn about the online Medical Billing and Coding program offered at Unitech Training Academy, serving online learners in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
The Role of the Electronic Health Record
When patients are examined and treated in medical practices, data is entered into an electronic health record (EHR). These digital records are easily shared among healthcare providers and systems and serve as a record of the patient’s health, and the healthcare they receive over their lifetime. The medical history, vital signs from each visit, and the progress or decline of health are all recorded electronically. Through the use of code systems in the healthcare industry, individual information is succinctly and uniformly recorded in the medical record.
Medical billing and coding professionals have access to the EHR as part of the billing process. They review the codes entered into the system for accuracy, and bill insurance companies and patients accordingly. As part of the patient care team, those who work in medical billing and coding are tasked with upholding confidentiality and accuracy. They may also influence the overall efficiency of the medical team by providing oversight of the payment process.
Serving Together on the Healthcare Team
It’s probably no surprise that medical patients are often concerned about the cost of health services. The insurance reimbursement process can be complicated to patients, and medical bills can be daunting. By promoting operations that ease and simplify billing procedures, medical billing and coding professionals can add a level of transparency that gives patients peace of mind.
At the same time, medical practitioners are concerned about providing the best care possible for their patients. The services of medical billing and coding professionals can help clarify the billing and reimbursement process for the healthcare team. By reinforcing the accurate use of specific codes relevant to the practice, ensuring that data is free of errors, and submitting bills promptly, medical billers and coders support the medical team. Through these efforts, medical practitioners are paid for their work and patients can more easily engage in taking care of their health without concern about payments and overdue bills.
Medical Billing and Coding Impacts Patient Care
The medical billing and coding program at Unitech Training Academy includes courses in medical front office skills and administrative medical assisting. This is because these coding and billing pros are often in communication with patients. They answer questions about how billing procedures work, and they may assist with any appeal process to health insurance companies when payments are denied. The role of medical billers and coders can be viewed as a middle ground between patients, insurance companies, and medical care providers. Good communication skills are important in this role.
Medical Billing and Coding at Unitech Training Academy
The courses offered in the medical billing and coding program at Unitech Training Academy provide a thorough exploration of both medical coding and billing procedures. Graduates who complete the program successfully are eligible to take an examination for certification in this specialty.
Courses offered include:
- Billing and coding procedures
- Applying CPT coding and its modifiers
- Coding related to patient surgery and body systems
- Radiology, pathology, medicine, and inpatient coding
- The electronic health record and its software
We also offer carer services assistance including job seeking to help graduates create a working resume, practice interview skills, and determine a plan for finding employment.
Job Training at Unitech Training Academy
We serve online students from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama in our online job training programs. The Medical Billing and Coding program is offered completely online. Students engage with our experienced teaching staff and a well-designed curriculum. If you have graduated from high school, or have earned a GED, you are eligible to apply for admission to this program. We also offer financial aid for students who qualify, in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships. If you are interested in a career change or are drawn to work in the field of healthcare, find out how you can get started now.
Becoming a Medical Assistant: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you are a compassionate, empathetic person, you may have considered a healthcare career. For those just starting in the workforce, or people who desire a career change, the role of medical assistant can be an excellent choice. The medical assistant program at Unitech Training Academy welcomes students throughout all our campuses in Louisiana with a hybrid training program, which incorporates convenient online and classroom learning with hands-on lab experiences. Find out how you can become a medical assistant.
Find the Right Training Program
The first step to becoming a medical assistant is to graduate from high school or earn a GED. That is the basic entry point for students who either want to pursue an educational program at a medical assistant school or those who desire to receive on-the-job training. Most medical assistants have completed a postsecondary program, such as the diploma program at Unitech Training Academy.
Our medical assistant program can be completed in as few as nine months and includes dedicated preparation classes to prepare for examinations and tests. In addition, most students find that our experienced instructors create a positive learning environment at Unitech Training Academy.
Employers often expect those applying for positions as medical assistants to have the knowledge and skills to perform basic tasks and duties. Medical assistants work under the direction of physicians and allied health professionals. Here are some of the courses offered in our medical assistant program:
- Anatomy and pathophysiology
- Patient education techniques
- Safety in the medical office
- Clinical duties, including administering EKGs and venipuncture techniques
- Administrative duties, including scheduling of patients
- Pharmacology
- Electronic health records
Externships and other Job-Related Resources
An exciting aspect of the medical assistant program at Unitech Training Academy is the required externship. This helps students get out in the real world and experience the day-to-day workings of a medical office or clinic. We help students find opportunities to work in an authorized medical facility in the local community. These experiences can be invaluable, providing networking opportunities, references for resume building, and the confidence to enter the workforce as a medical assistant. Working in a medical office can also help students understand their own preferences, as well as where their knowledge and skills can be improved.
Unitech Training Academy provides experienced instructors, fast-paced hands-on learning experiences, and well-constructed, accredited educational programs designed to help students find and maintain employment.
Plan Your Job Search
After successfully graduating from a postsecondary medical assistant program, you will be ready to engage in a full-scale job search. It is best to spend some time planning for this, and some of the groundwork can be accomplished while you are a student. Here are our recommendations for planning your job search:
- Interact with the instructors at your medical assistant school and discuss plans with them.
- If you have time, consider volunteer work in the medical field.
- Determine workplace location and other preferences as much as possible through class work and externship opportunities.
- Develop a resume that reflects your education, professional and personal references, and volunteer service.
- Practice your interview skills with friends, family, other students, and professionals if available.
- Follow up on submitted job applications whenever possible.
- Put together a wardrobe for interviewing that is professional, clean, and appropriate for the job.
- Smile and be confident during your interviews!
Take Advantage of Continuing Education Programs
A hallmark of the medical field is continuing education programs. These add heft to your resume and showcase your ability to learn and grow in your career. Sign up for classes and workshops that interest you, and be sure to add them to your resume, along with any certifications or other distinctions you’ve earned. If you become interested in a specific type of health or medical specialty, follow up with classes. Many are offered online and can fit into your work and school schedule. By continually learning new skills and gaining more medical knowledge, you will have a better chance of advancing in your career path.
Explore Our Medical Assistant School Today
Unitech Training Academy offers the medical assistant program at all six campus locations in Louisiana. As a hybrid program, roughly 20% of the course material is offered through our e-learning platform, and this can help students balance their school, work, and family obligations as they progress through the nine-month program. Financial aid is available for students who qualify. If you are ready to follow these steps to becoming a medical assistant, get started now.
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
As anyone who has ever been a patient already knows, the quality of care provided by medical assistants can greatly impact one’s experience of healthcare. These team members facilitate communication between medical professionals and patients, as well as taking care of many small tasks that make a big difference.
While it can sometimes be difficult to pin down a medical assistant job description because of the varied nature of their work, there are some baseline duties performed. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, consider the medical assistant program at Unitech Training Academy. We have six campus locations, welcoming students from across Louisiana. Here, we discuss the various hats worn by medical assistants in the healthcare industry.
Are There Different Types of Medical Assistants?
There is a natural division between the clinical and administrative in healthcare, and this also pertains to the medical assistant. However, while some medical assistants do focus entirely on administrative work, it’s probably more common to find these healthcare stars performing duties related to both direct patient care and the office.
The healthcare sector includes many specializations and fields, and this is also true of medical assistants. As much as there are similarities, there are also real differences in the duties required of medical assistants who work in oncology compared to pediatric practices. There is a different set of commonly used medical terms and demographics. Laboratory tests, billing procedures, and patient load are all affected by the type of medical office or institution, the field of medicine, and the types of treatments performed in each setting.
Medical Assistant Job Description
Here is a basic medical assistant job description. These skills are addressed in the curriculum for the medical assistant program offered at Unitech Training Academy. Common duties performed by medical assistants include:
- Schedule patient appointments and prepare examination rooms
- Record vital signs, such as patient weight and blood pressure readings
- Review current medical history for the electronic health record
- Aid the comfort of patients during examinations with physicians
- Collect and prepare samples, such as urine or blood for the laboratory
- Perform some basic laboratory tests
- Administer injections and medications as directed by a physician
- Take electrocardiograms and blood samples
- Provide wound care, change wound dressings, and remove stitches
- Assist with patient education, teaching about symptoms, treatments, and medication protocols
- Communicate patient prescriptions with pharmacies and other medical offices
- Order supplies and keep inventory
- Process paperwork for billing and insurance companies, including medical coding
As medical assistants move through different job experiences, they may find that they prefer working in a particular medical specialty. There is a certain amount of on-the-job training that occurs in the working world of medical assistants. However, most of these healthcare professionals complete a postsecondary program of study, such as the medical assistant program at Unitech Training Academy.
Medical Assistant Program at Unitech Training Academy
The medical assistant program at Unitech Training Academy is a hybrid program. This means some of the coursework is offered in a convenient online format, with the remainder taught in the classroom, as hands-on experiences in the labs, or through working in the local community to fulfill the externship requirement. Courses in this program include:
- Anatomy and pathophysiology
- Patient education and safety in the medical office
- Administrative duties for the medical assistant
- Clinical medical assisting duties
- Pharmacology
- Electronic health records
Prospective students must have graduated from high school or completed a GED and be at least 17 years of age to apply for admission to Unitech Training Academy. Financial aid is available for students who qualify, potentially in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. The admissions and financial aid offices at Unitech Training Academy can assist students as they explore a new healthcare career.
Healthcare Careers Start at Unitech Training Academy
Healthcare is a fast-growing sector of the U.S. economy. As the healthcare sector continues to grow, workers are needed at all levels to assist in patient care, including medical assistants. Unitech Training Academy offers several healthcare job training programs. These include medical office assistant, pharmacy technician, EKG/phlebotomy technician, and medical billing and coding.
Start Your Career as a Medical Assistant
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to handle a medical assistant job description at Unitech Training Academy. If you enjoy helping people feel more comfortable and have a passion for accuracy in your work, the role of medical assistant may be just right for you. Medical assistants work with electronic health records, interface with the billing and coding functions of the medical office, and perform direct patient care. These are three areas in healthcare that are growing quickly. Enter the exciting, in-demand medical field and work every day with people who want to make a positive difference in their patient’s lives. Get started now.