On-Campus Medical Assistant Diploma Program

Medical assisting involves helping doctors and practitioners provide life-improving medical care while recording vital patient information. Medical assistants perform tasks like taking and testing blood, measuring vital signs, helping physicians with examinations, recording patient history and personal information, and much more. The need to keep patients' information strictly between them and other medical personnel is just as important as their ability to translate it into electronic health records (EHRs).

They handle a balance of patient care and administrative tasks. Medical assistants may take patient's blood pressure, may give injections, may assist physicians with a patient's examination or perform any other similar type of patient care.

While in many cases you do not have to pass your RMA exam in order to work as a medical assistant, some states and employers may require it. In addition, passing the RMA exam may help you stand out in the field as an applicant.

Not necessarily. Many medical assistants have postsecondary training, but some can be trained on-the-job working in a medical office. In addition to schooling, employers may prefer to hire medical assistants who are certified even if their state does not require it. Completing a training program and pursuing the RMA exam may help you stand out among the rest of the applicants.

Online courses typically have the same recurring deadlines you would experience in a traditional classroom. For example, assignments and tests may be due on a specific day. However, other than these deadlines, you will have the flexibility to complete your work, even at 2 a.m.! Night owls rejoice. These deadlines enable you to stay on track with your coursework while also allowing you to schedule study time around your busy life. Taking classes online may also provide more flexibility to study and complete assignments around other responsibilities you may have throughout your day and night. However, on-campus training can also be valuable in the sense that you can gain hands-on knowledge in a lab that you may not be able to attain simply by learning online.

Fortunately, UMA’s Medical Assistant Diploma Program is blended, meaning that in addition to online coursework, our students also train with instructors at our Clearwater campus in lab settings. This program also includes a 220-hour on-site externship. Externship experience is needed to complete the program and provides you with the opportunity to train in the field alongside working professionals at a healthcare facility.

Of course, you’re looking for the best education — for you. So, we recommend taking a look at your individual needs. If you’d like to talk, call us at 888-213-4473. UMA is here to listen and walk you through deciding which program could be a good fit for you. The more we understand about your unique situation, the more we can try to help.

Ultimate Medical Academy is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES.org), a national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Though UMA is not a university or college, we offer online diplomas and degrees as well as blended healthcare programs, some of which offer on-site externships/practicums and certification preparation — all intended to put you in a position to pursue a healthcare career after graduation.