To work as a medical assistant, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete a medical assisting training program.

Education after high school

Most medical assistants learn their skills through formal training programs. Professional-technical and two-year colleges offer medical assisting programs. A one-year program grants a certificate. Two-year programs grant an associate degree. Courses include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical law, and ethics. Office courses include typing, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing. You also gain skills in lab techniques and first aid.

On-the-job training

Some medical assistants learn their skills on the job. Through on-the-job training, a physician or another medical assistant in the office teaches you medical terminology, the names of the instruments, how to do daily tasks, how to interact with patients, and other tasks. You also learn how to code both paper and electronic health records and how to record patient information. Training typically lasts several months.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be medical care technicians. Training lasts seven to 52 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.