IMBC Programs

Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy (Diploma)

Diploma in Erie, PA or Pittsburgh, PA

Are you a caring person who loves helping others, and being around people makes your day? Does the idea of wearing scrubs and supporting doctors and nurses as a medical assistant sound like a career path for you? Keep reading to learn more about the rewarding career field of medical assisting.

  • Program Length: Slightly more than a year1
  • Format: On-Campus (with an optional online component)2
  • Course Length: 6 Weeks
  • Average Class Size: 25 or Less
  • Job Outlook: 154,900 New Jobs by 20283
  • Job Placement: 100% for Pittsburgh Campus4, 100% for Erie Campus4

IMBC Student Stories

Erica Sharpe headshot

"IMBC teaches the skills that area employers need, so graduates are job-ready. "

Erica Sharpe, Medical Assisting Technician (A.S.T.)

Medical assistants, or MAs, complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. That means you’ll be working with patients, doctors, and nurses to support positive patient outcomes, provide great customer service, and ensure efficient healthcare offices.

MAs perform a wide variety of functions, depending on the type of office they work within. Administrative duties might include supporting, scheduling, and communicating with patients; documenting vitals; billing; and general office management.

At the same time, MAs may have clinical responsibilities, such as taking vital signs; explaining procedures; preparing patients for exams; taking medical histories; and helping doctors and nurses during procedures, such as lab work collection, administering medications, authorizing pharmacies to refill prescriptions, performing diagnostic tests, changing dressings, managing equipment, and more.

As an MA, you may also have phlebotomy tasks, such as drawing blood samples from patients to test for illness and health conditions. Depending on where you work, you may also be entering patient, specimen, and insurance information into billing systems; organizing blood-drawing trays; and taking inventories of, and sterilizing equipment.

Eligible students enrolled in the Erie or Pittsburgh campus diploma program may be able to take some courses in their program online for additional scheduling flexibility.

Toward the completion of your program, students participate in an internship that lets you practice your new skills in a real healthcare setting with professional supervision. Before beginning an internship, you will be required to have a physical and obtain proof that all of your immunizations are current. Some medical internship sites may require a criminal background check. Please speak with your admissions representative prior to enrolling in this program if a background check presents an obstacle for you.

Finally, upon the successful completion of your program, you will be prepared to seek certifications to demonstrate your mastery of the course material:

  • The Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) exam is administered by the National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP).
  • The Nationally Registered Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NRCPT) is administered by the National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP).
  • Additionally, students will be prepared to obtain their CPR certification

The costs of the professional certification exams are included in your program. Certification exams are not required for employment; however, students who pass voluntary, third-party certification exams validate their competencies, skills, and abilities in the specialized field of study. IMBC believes students passing certification exams have a more competitive employment advantage for being hired over students with no certification.

Does this sound like a great future for you? Contact IMBC using the form on this page to learn more about enrolling today!

 

 

Top questions about the Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy Diploma training program and career outcomes:

  1. What does a Medical Assistant do?
    Medical assistants (MAs) complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. That means you’ll be working with patients, doctors, and nurses to support positive patient outcomes, great customer service, and efficient healthcare offices. MAs with phlebotomy perform a wide variety of functions depending on the type of office they work within. Administrative duties might include supporting, scheduling, and communicating with patients; billing and bookkeeping; and general office management or support. At the same time, MAs may have clinical responsibilities, such as taking vital signs, explaining procedures, preparing patients for exams, taking medical histories, and helping doctors and nurses during procedures, such as lab work collection, administering medications, authorizing pharmacies to refill prescriptions, drawing blood, performing diagnostic tests, changing dressings, managing equipment, and more.
  2. What types of places does a Medical Assistant work at?
    Medical Assistants typically work at the following types of organizations: hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing care facilities, and outpatient care centers.
  3. Do MAs work with patients?
    Yes, almost all MAs will work with patients.
  4. How long is the Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy diploma program?
    The Medical Assistant diploma program typically takes students just over a year to complete. However, your actual time will vary depending on your academic progress, success, the number of courses you take, and other factors.
  5. What should I look for in a top school for Medical Assistant training?
    Consider your options carefully by ensuring your school is accredited to make sure the program meets generally accepted academic standards. Look for a school that fits your schedule and work-life balance and can provide you the support you need, such as tutoring and career services. And finally, find out if your school will prepare you for taking any necessary certifications as well as cover those exam costs.
  6. What is the internship for the Medical Assistant training?
    Toward the completion of your program, all students will participate in an internship that lets you practice your new skills in a real healthcare setting with professional supervision. Before beginning an internship, you will be required to have a physical and obtain proof that all of your immunizations are current.
  7. What is the certification exam in the Medical Assisting program?
    Upon the successful completion of your program, you will be prepared to seek a certification to demonstrate your mastery of the course material. The Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) exam is administered by the National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP). The Nationally Registered Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NRCPT) is administered by the National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP). You will also be eligible to obtain your CPR certification. The cost of the certification is included in your program at IMBC.

Graduates of this program are prepared to seek entry-level employment as a Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy Training in the following types of organizations:

  • Hospitals
  • Doctors’ offices
  • Nursing care facilities
  • Outpatient care centers

Some medical internship and employer sites may require a criminal background check prior to attending the internship site or gaining employment. Please speak with your admissions representative prior to enrolling in this program if a background check presents an obstacle for you. Students may need to relocate to obtain gainful employment.

Certification exams are not required for employment; however, students who pass voluntary third-party certification exams validate their competencies, skills, and abilities in the specialized field of study. IMBC believes students passing certification exams have a more competitive employment advantage for being hired over students with no certification.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Education, it is expected that 154,900 new jobs in this field will be created between 2018 and 2028. As of 2018, there were approximately 686,600 people employed in this field.3

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Learn about our school that students across the country have trusted for their training.

By submitting the information you have provided, you agree that IMBC or its authorized agents may contact you by phone, email, and text message via automated systems to provide you with information about training opportunities at the phone numbers you provided above, including any wireless number(s). You are under no obligation to consent to automated contact to enroll. Alternatively to submitting this form you may call us at 855.773.0758. Note that all calls are recorded for quality assurance.

By submitting the information you have provided, you agree that IMBC or its authorized agents may contact you by phone, email, and text message via automated systems to provide you with information about training opportunities at the phone numbers you provided above, including any wireless number(s). You are under no obligation to consent to automated contact to enroll. Alternatively to submitting this form you may call us at 855.773.0758. Note that all calls are recorded for quality assurance.

  1. This figure represents the typical length a program takes to complete. However, your actual program completion time may vary based upon your academic progress, course progression, and any breaks.
  2. Eligible students enrolled in the Erie or Pittsburgh campus diploma program may be able to take some courses in their program online for additional scheduling flexibility.
  3. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018-2028 Estimated Job Growth: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
  4. Reported ABHES placement rates for the 2023-2024 reporting year.