MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Medical Assistant Training Program in NJ

Hybrid / Distance Education Program

The Medical Assistant (MA) program is ideal for those interested in learning how to become a medical assistant or radiology aide. Graduates will be able to find employment in outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, imaging centers, and a variety of other healthcare related facilities. The MA program is taught using a hybrid/blended learning environment.

Students enrolled in this medical assistant program will gain a broad understanding of healthcare including knowledge in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, ethics of healthcare, patient care, and HIPAA. They will be capable of taking a patient's medical history, taking patient vitals, performing blood and specimen collections, preparing blood and specimen collections for testing, and maintaining lab supplies and equipment. Students will also be given an introduction to medical imaging technology.

Graduates will be able to perform 12-lead and 15-lead EKG tests, monitor EKG machines, and prepare EKG study reports, and they will have a basic understanding of medical insurance, medical billing, and electronic medical records. MA graduates will demonstrate behaviors consistent with professional standards and will meet employer expectations for an entry-level position.

Hybrid Learning

The Medical Assistant training program in NJ offers a hybrid learning environment, combining online and in-person instruction. Lectures may take place on campus in New Jersey or through a Learning Management System (LMS) remotely. Most lab classes and practical training are held on campus or at clinical sites, providing hands-on experience to prepare students for their careers.

Online classes will be taught synchronously. Synchronous instruction is real-time instruction that requires students to attend classes at scheduled times.

Clinical Internship

The Medical Assistant certificate program requires students to complete a mandatory 195-hour clinical internship. Students will be placed at a clinical site by the AIMS Internship Department. The internship is designed to provide practical training in a real work environment; students will have a mentor who trains and guides them.

AIMS Education has clinical affiliations with numerous healthcare facilities throughout New Jersey and the surrounding areas. Students will be placed at one or more of these affiliated sites and must complete their clinical hours based on the schedule provided by the school. Internship schedules are based on the availability of clinical sites. All students (Day and Evening) must be prepared to complete their internship during normal business hours (Monday through Friday). The majority of clinical sites do not allow students to complete clinical hours in the evening or on the weekend.

Employment for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other healthcare practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice, as well as the practitioner’s specialty.

Certification / Registry Exam Eligibility

Medical assistant graduates will be eligible to take the medical assistant certification exams offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), American Medical Technologists (AMT), and National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Graduates who pass the certification exams can earn the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential from AAMA, the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential from AMT, or the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential from NHA.

Graduates of the Medical Assistant training program are also eligible for the phlebotomy certification and EKG certification exams offered by NHA.

Eligibility requirements for the certifications are solely determined by AAMA, AMT, and NHA, and are subject to change at any time. AAMA, AMT, and NHA are independent organizations. AIMS does not guarantee certification/registry exam eligibility.

Medical Assistant Program Length

The Medical Assistant program is a non-term program and will be taught using a block schedule. Students will enroll as a cohort and take one course at a time.

• 10 Months
• 30 Credit Hours
• 195 Clinical Hours

Comprehensive Education and Training

• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Ethics of Healthcare
• Patient Care Techniques
• Measure Vital Signs
• Pediatric and Ob/Gyn Assisting
• Would Care Practice
• Infection Control and Safety
• Perform Resting EKG/ECG
• Interpret EKG/ECG Results
• Venipuncture
• Dermal / Capillary Puncture
• Specimen Collection and Processing
• Medical Insurance
• Introduction to Imaging Technology
• CLIA Regulations and CLSI Standards
• OSHA Regulations

Employment Opportunities

• Physicians' Offices
• Hospitals
• Outpatient Medical Centers
• Pediatric and Ob/Gyn Practices
• Urgent Care Centers
• Specialty Clinics
• Diagnostic Imaging Centers

Credit Transfer Opportunities

Graduates of the Medical Assistant program are eligible to transfer credit to the following associate degree programs at AIMS Education:

• AAS in Cardiovascular Technology – 9 credits
• AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography – 6 credits
• AAS in MRI Technology – 7 credits
• AAS in Neurodiagnostic Technology – 6 credits
• AAS in Surgical Technology – 6 credits

*The credit transfers above only apply to MA graduates who get accepted into a degree program.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam
• Additional Requirements