Similar to our diploma program for Medical Assisting training, our Specialized Associate Degree (A.S.T.) trains students to complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Medical Assisting Technicians will work with patients, doctors, and nurses to support positive patient outcomes, great customer service, and efficient healthcare offices.
MATs perform a wide variety of functions, depending on the type of office they work within. These employees perform administrative duties include supporting, scheduling, and communicating with patients; billing and bookkeeping; and general office management or support.
At the same time, MATs may have a variety of 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.
The IMBC Medical Assisting Technician Specialized Associate Degree training program will teach you to perform these administrative and clinical skills. Since this is an associate degree program, you will also take general courses, such as psychology, public speaking, and more.
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. 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.
Additionally, students in the Specialized Associate Degree program may elect to obtain a “Double Major” in Phlebotomy.
Finally, upon the successful completion of your program, you will be prepared to seek the following certifications to demonstrate your mastery of the course material:
- The Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) exam, administered by the National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP)
- The Nationally Registered Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NRCPT), administered by the National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP)
- You will also be eligible to obtain your 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.
