Become a Medical Assistant
If you have a passion for helping people and would enjoy working in the medical field, then a career in medical assisting could be a good fit for you. At Swedish Institute, we offer both a certificate and associate degree in our Medical Assistant program.
As our nation’s aging population continues to grow, so does the need for healthcare medical assistants. In fact, medical assisting is expected to grow 19% from 2019-2029, which is faster than the growth rate for other occupations.** Medical assisting is a great way to have a career in healthcare that is dedicated to helping patients and you can work in a variety of medical settings.
Fast Facts
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State of New York annual
average = $38,950* -
National median annual wage = $34,800*
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Medical Assistant Program Length
12 Month (certificate)
18 Months (day degree program)
21 Months (day or evening degree program) -
Sample Clinical Medial Assistant Certificate Program Schedule
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Sample Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant Degree Program Schedule
What to Expect in the Clinical Medical Assistant Program
Medical Assistant Certificate Program
Our Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate program is a 48.5 quarter-credit program that is available in a 4-quarter (12 month) course sequence. Classes at Swedish Institute’s Medical Assistant School are offered in the evening to accommodate students who work during the day. Through this program, you will gain an understanding of how to perform clinical and office tasks such as taking vitals. The medical assistant training includes a 200-hour off-site externship in an outpatient/ambulatory setting in your final quarter where you will gain real-world medical assisting exposure.
Graduates of the Clinical Medical Assistant program receive a certificate that is authorized by the New York State Board of Regents. Swedish Institute’s Clinical Medical Assistant Graduates who decide they’d like to further their education are eligible to enroll in our Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant degree program.
Medical Assistant Degree Program
Our Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant Degree program is a 90 quarter-credit program that is available in both a 6-quarter (18 month) course sequence and a 7-quarter (21-month) course sequence. Medical Assistant classes are offered during the day and evening, and scheduling varies each quarter. Through medical assistant training, you will gain an understanding of how to perform clinical and office tasks, such as taking vital signs, reading lab results, phlebotomy/hematology techniques, 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG), basic pharmacology, patient care, and medical record-keeping.
You will also gain valuable real-world experience prior to graduation of the Medical Assistant program through a 200-hour off-site externship in an outpatient/ambulatory setting in your final quarter.
Graduates of the Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant Program receive an Associate in Occupational Studies degree (AOS) that is authorized by the New York State Board of Regents.
Swedish Institute’s Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant Graduates are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant Certification examination (RMA), provided by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Does Swedish Institute’s Medical Assistant Program offer a flexible schedule?
Yes! With current COVID-19 Concerns, lecture classes are being taught online. The flexibility of offering online classes has allowed our students to better balance their home-life responsibilities with children and other family members. Through Swedish Institute’s iPad program, every student receives an iPad which assists with virtual learning, virtual classroom, and provides communication with classmates and instructors.
Learn more about our COVID-19 Preparedness & Response Plan
What does a
Medical Assistant do?
Medical assistants play a vital role in any healthcare team as they work alongside and support doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Medical assistants are often the first people to see the patients, so their demeanor, attitude and professionalism help set the tone for the patient experience.
Job duties of a medical assistant often include, but are not limited to:
- Recording patient history and personal information
- Taking and measuring vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, weight and pulse
- Performing routine lab duties such as drawing blood
- Perform EKG and other point-of-care testing (POCT) such as blood sugar finger sticks
- Supporting physician during exams
- Helping explain physician instructions
- Following-up with patients
Medical Assistant Career Opportunities
With training from Swedish Institute’s Medical Assistant Program, you will be prepared to pursue entry-level jobs with titles such as:
Medical Assistant
Clinical Medical Assistant
Clinical Laboratory Aide
Blood Bank Donor Unit Assistant
Front Office Assistant
Back Office Laboratory Assistant
Medical Assistant Salary Opportunities
According to the May 2019 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the annual average wage for Medical Assistants in the State of New York is $38,950 per year.* Salary will vary based on experience, location of employment and the specific job title and duties being performed.
* https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319092.htm#nat and https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/home, using Occupational Employment Statistics Query System with release date of May 2019.
**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm (visited September 01, 2020). National long-term projections and salary averages may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual growth or any particular salary. Swedish Institute does not guarantee employment or career advancement. Swedish Institute cannot guarantee a student’s eligibility either to take any exam or become certified, registered or licensed.
† https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm