Medical Assistant Program
Learn to provide patients with compassionate day-to-day care.
Earn your diploma in a blended format in 15 months.4
If you’re looking for a healthcare career that balances administrative tasks with hands-on clinical duties, then Ultimate Medical Academy’s Medical Assistant program could be a great fit! Medical assistants help doctors and practitioners provide medical care while recording vital patient information.
Your UMA education will include a blended format of campus lab sessions, online coursework, hands-on training through a supervised externship, and preparation to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam.
Study and learn from home and train on campus while earning your UMA Medical Assistant diploma and be prepared to pursue an entry-level job in 15 months4! Once you complete the diploma program, you may continue on to the Health Sciences — Medical Assistant associate degree program if you choose.
What is a medical assistant?
Medical assistants help doctors and practitioners provide hands-on medical care, while managing 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).
Let’s talk about it.
You have questions. We have answers.
Complete this form and we’ll email you info on how to get started at UMA, financial aid if qualified, selecting a program, and more. We’ll also give you a call to ensure your questions are answered so you can decide which program is right for you.
By clicking the Request Info button, you agree to be contacted by phone, text message, or email via automated systems by Ultimate Medical Academy about your education at the email addresses and phone numbers you provided above, including any wireless number(s). You are not obligated to agree to automated contact to enroll; instead, you may call us at 888-205-2510. Note that even non-automated calls are recorded for quality assurance.
Medical Assistant Training
When you enroll as a student in UMA’s Medical Assistant diploma program, you’ll learn field-specific subject matter such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and administrative skills for medical offices. You’ll also experience clinical training including taking vital signs, phlebotomy, and conducting lab tests. In addition, UMA’s diploma program includes a 220-hour unpaid externship that offers a chance to receive hands-on training under supervision in a healthcare facility.
In the associate degree program, which you can enroll in once you’ve completed your diploma, general education and elective courses such as English composition, general biology, and critical thinking can help in building the soft skills employers look for.
UMA’s Medical Assistant program prepares students to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam as well. Although certification isn’t required by every state or employer, successfully passing the exam and earning certification can help you become a stronger job candidate, as you could stand out among other job applicants. Eligibility requirements may apply and are set by the certification body.
Propgram Curriculum
UMA’s Medical Assistant diploma program offers courses that give students the opportunity to build foundational field skills while enhancing their skill set. UMA diploma students must complete core medical assistant courses in addition to an on-site externship. Associate degree students must also complete general education and elective courses.
Diploma Program
Credits: 42.5 Approx. time to complete: 15 months4
Core Courses (42.5 Credits)
- Principles of Allied Health 5.0 credits
- Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology 5.0 credits
- Medical Assistant Office Procedures 5.0 credits
- Pharmacology 4.5 credits
- Clinical Lab Procedures & Phlebotomy 4.0 credits
- Clinical Procedures 4.0 credits
- Medical Law & Ethics and Communications in Medical Assisting 5.5 credits
- Advanced Laboratory Procedures & Minor Medical Office Surgeries 5.0 credits
- Clinical Externship – Medical Assistant 4.5 credits
Associate Degree Program
Credits: 60.5 Approx. time to complete: 21 months4
Core Courses (42.5 Credits)
- Principles of Allied Health 5.0 credits
- Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology 5.0 credits
- Medical Assistant Office Procedures 5.0 credits
- Pharmacology 4.5 credits
- Clinical Lab Procedures & Phlebotomy 4.0 credits
- Clinical Procedures 4.0 credits
- Medical Law & Ethics and Communications in Medical Assisting 5.5 credits
- Advanced Laboratory Procedures & Minor Medical Office Surgeries 5.0 credits
- Clinical Externship – Medical Assistant 4.5 credits
General Education Courses (15.0 Credits)
- English Composition 3.0 credits
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 3.0 credits
- College Math 3.0 credits
- General Biology 3.0 credits
- Sociology 3.0 credits
Elective Courses (3.0 Credits)
- Accounting for Managers 3.0 credits
- Introductions to Healthcare Computer Information Systems 3.0 credits
- Interpersonal Professional Communications 3.0 credits
- Local, National & International Events 3.0 credits
- Psychology 3.0 credits
- Working with People 3.0 credits
- Patient Relations 3.0 credits
- Ecology 3.0 credits
- Diversity in the Workplace 3.0 credits
Work Environments
Professionals in this field work in settings such as:
- Physicians’ offices
- Hospitals
- Outpatient care centers
- Chiropractors' offices
Why choose UMA?
When you pursue an associate degree or diploma from Ultimate Medical Academy:
- You gain a strong foundation for pursuing your allied health career.
- You’ll have UMA staff dedicated to your academic success.
- You have a career services team committed to getting you interview ready so you can jumpstart your search for a career.
- You receive hands-on training with online features for increased study flexibility.5
At UMA, you won’t feel like just another number. In fact, you’ll participate in classrooms with a maximum size of 25 students. Our student support teams can help you with academic support, technical assistance, job search guidance, mock interviews, financial aid if qualified, and more.
Our programs also include 24/7 tech support that helps you become comfortable with computers and in the UMA online environment. Receive guidance from your instructors and learn what it takes to pursue your career.
An associate degree can open doors to lifelong learning and set the groundwork for your newfound passion and career path. Let UMA help you change your future. We are proud to have supported more than 80,000 students through graduation so far. We’d love to help you, too!
What kind of financial aid options are available?
If you qualify for applicable financial aid, we’ll walk you through the process. Multiple resources may be available to help pay for the cost of your education. Our Student Finance advisors are committed to helping you understand the options you qualify for and can assist you in applying for various forms of financial aid to see if you qualify.
To learn more about financial aid possibilities, contact a Student Finance advisor at 727-298-8685.
Not sure which program to choose?
Try our fun and informational healthcare careers quiz for inspiration. Just answer a few simple personality questions and learn which program may best suit you!
FAQs
What does a medical assistant do?
Medical assistants help 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).
Does a medical assistant perform patient care?
They handle a balance of patient care and administrative tasks. Medical assistants can 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.
Do I need to pass my Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam to work?
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.
ou should consider where and in what settings you would like to work, and determine whether RMA exam passage is required or recommended in those places and settings.
What kind of medical assistant courses would I take?
UMA medical assistant courses include: Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Terminology, Medical Assistant Office Procedures, Pharmacology, Clinical Lab Procedures & Phlebotomy, and more. You can refer to the list of courses above or consult the UMA catalog.
Is there a difference between medical assistant schools?
Absolutely. While the basic training may be similar between schools that offer medical assistant programs, UMA is pleased to offer a long list of student services which are all included in our tuition. UMA is a school that offers medical assistant training programs which include one-on-one academic support, help with writing your resume, job interview coaching and job search assistance.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
Our medical assistant diploma program can be completed in 15 months and the associate degree program can be completed in 21 months. Both timeframes may vary according to the individual student.
Can you take the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam without going to school?
Not unless you have worked as a medical assistant for at least three years.
Do you have to go to school to be a medical assistant?
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.
Although this varies by state, medical assistants may have to pass one certification exam as part of their path to being eligible to work. UMA’s programs prepare students to sit for the RMA exam.
Is UMA Accredited?
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 your traditional 4-year university or local community college, we offer online diplomas and degrees in 11 healthcare programs, some of which offer on-site externships and certification preparation — all intended to put you in a position to pursue a healthcare career after graduation.
Where can I find more info about medical assistants?