Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 23 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As a result, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.

An increasing number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities will also need support workers, particularly medical assistants, to complete both administrative and clinical duties. Medical assistants work mostly in primary care, a steadily growing sector of the healthcare industry.  Medical assistants are expected to have good job prospects; however, those who earn certification and have familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs) may have better job prospects.

Merit students are taught electronic health records (EHR), and are eligible to sit for their EHR certification.  This highly sought after certification helps Merit graduates find employment quickly, and also earns them better jobs than other schools.  With small class sizes, externships and an instructor with over 20 years' experience, Merit graduates have a definite edge over students who graduate elsewhere, with less skills!

Some common medical assistant tasks include: taking medical histories, measuring and recording vital signs and assisting physicians during exams. Medical Assistants are often relied upon to collect and prepare laboratory specimens, draw blood, give injections, take electrocardiograms, change dressings, assist with minor office surgeries and so much more. This course prepares you to enter positions as a Clinical Medical Assistant or Patient Care Technician professional. Main subjects covered include: medical assisting, patient care, EKG testing & interpretation, phlebotomy/venipuncture and electronic health records (EHR/EMR).

Students will learn how to take a patient’s blood pressure, perform CPR, measure and record vital signs, conduct physical examinations, administer first aid, conduct clinical procedures and perform urinalysis. Students will also learn how to perform EKG’s, draw blood, and conduct diabetic testing. Areas of study include medicine, hematology, sterilization, disinfection, laboratory, microbiology, asepsis, diseases, arrhythmia's, pharmacology, medication/drugs, and IV therapy. The medical office component of the program covers personal medical records (PMR), record keeping, as well as OSHA and HIPAA regulations. Software covered includes Medisoft billing software and EHR software. The course also covers medical terminology (prefixes, suffixes, body systems, abbreviations and root words), as well as anatomy and physiology (A&P) through all the different body systems. Additionally, laws, ethics, and privacy are covered.

Included in this course is CPR training (also known as BLS - Basic Life Support) through the American Heart Association.  This certification makes Merit graduates a stronger candidate when up against those graduating from other programs. 

Students do not require previous medical experience to enroll. This program teaches to the secondary level. Students will graduate well prepared to pass multiple national exams, and enter the ‘in demand’ and growing medical field!

Although not needed most of the time, free externships can be set up after graduating from this program as well. 

Testimonials from previous students can be found here.