IMBC Programs

Medical Assisting Technician (A.S.T.)

Associate in Specialized Technology (A.S.T.) Degree in Erie, PA or Pittsburgh, PA

A specialized associate degree in the field of medicine and healthcare is the right choice for you if you want to build a career centered on 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 great career path? If so, keep reading to learn more about becoming a medical assisting technician.

  • Program Length: 1.5 Years1
  • 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: 86% for Pittsburgh Campus, 83% for Erie Campus4

IMBC Student Stories

Marissa White headshot

"I liked the way I was treated from the moment I walked in the door! The class size is small and the instructors care about the students. They want to see us succeed! "

Marissa White, Medical Assisting Technician (A.S.T.)

IMBC’s program trains students on how to complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Medical assisting technicians work with patients, doctors, and nurses to support positive patient outcomes, provide great customer service, and ensure efficient healthcare offices.

MATs 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, MATs 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 and managing equipment.

The IMBC 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.

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.

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

Top questions about the medical assistant technician training program (A.S.T.) and career outcomes:

  1. What does a Medical Assistant Technician do?
    Medical Assistant Technicians (MATs) 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.
  2. What types of places do Medical Assistant Technicians work at?
    Medical Assistant Technicians (MATs) typically work at hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing care facilities, or outpatient care centers.
  3. Do MATs work with patients?
    Yes, almost all Medical Assistant Technicians will work with patients.
  4. How long is the Medical Assistant Technician Specialized Associate Degree (A.S.T.) program?
    Most students will typically complete the Medical Assistant Technician Specialized Associate Degree (A.S.T.) program in about a year and a half. 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 Technician 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 Technician 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 Assistant Technician program?
    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 cost of the certifications is included in your program at IMBC.

Graduates of this program are prepared to seek entry-level employment as a Medical Assistant Technician 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 2022-2023 reporting year.