Medical Assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare facilities.
They take and record a patient's personal information, help physicians with patient examinations, schedule patient appointments, and prepare blood samples for laboratory tests.
Medical Assistant courses are offered at Graduate, Postgraduate, Doctorate, and as well as at the Diploma level presently. Apart from that, there are plenty of medical assistant certificates offered by colleges in online as well as offline mode.
- The duration of these courses varies depending upon the course an individual is opting for. It is for 4 years at the graduate level, 1-2 years at the postgraduate level, and 4 months to 3 years in the case of diploma courses.
- Certificate programs related to medical assistant courses can be as short as a few months and can even run up to 1 year.
- Distance and Regular mode of learning is adopted by many universities with different levels of fee structure for different institutions.
Medical Assistant Courses: Highlights
Since computer courses can be pursued at UG, PG, Diploma and as short term certifications, these courses help the students to enhance their employability. Below are the highlights of different international business courses offered in India.
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| Eligibility |
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| Top Job Prospects | Dental Hygienist, Psychiatric Technicians, Pharmacy Technicians, Phlebotomists, Physical Therapist Assistant, and many more. |
| Average Salary |
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Certificate Medical Assistant Courses
The certificate programs in Medical Assistant Course are offered through both Online and Offline mediums. Online medical assistant certificates are very popular and the trend is increasing day by day. As mentioned before, they can be of any time length ranging from a few months to 2 years.
- Medical Assistant Courses certificate allows a candidate to work as a dental assistant, nursing assistant, physical therapist assistants, and various other profiles are there within which a medical assistant comes across.
- Most of these courses are self-paced and therefore do not demand a lot of daily hours from a candidate.
Those students who are looking for short-term medical assistant courses after 10th and 12th should opt for certificate international business courses.
How are Admissions in Certificate Programs of Medical Assistant Courses Done?
Admissions in the medical assistant certificate courses are not done in a properly organized manner like that in bachelor and master courses. Certain colleges offer admission based on first come first serve.
- Enrollment in online certificate programs is simply done by applying on the website of the course provider.
- In the case of offline certificate programs, colleges might enroll you on a merit basis. Your score in Class X or XII (as applicable) will be considered in such a case.
- Few colleges conduct their entrance examination followed by a personal interview to enroll in the certification program.
Online Certificate Medical Assistant Courses
The table below shows some of the best Medical Assistant Course certificates available online on different platforms.
| Certificate Name | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant Program | St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants | 6 weeks | $1415 (INR 1,04,350) |
| The Online Medical Assistant Program | CareerStep Online Education & Training Solutions | 4 months | $3599 (INR 2,65,112) |
| Medical Assistant Online | Care One Health Training Institute | 7 or 9 months | $3500 (INR 2,58,111) |
Offline Certificate Medical Assistant Courses
Many institutes offer medical assistant course certificates through classroom methods of teaching. Though the list of such courses is also endless, some of the top courses in the list below.
| Course Name | College Name | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate in General Duty Assistant | IGNOU, Tech Mahindra SMART Academy for Healthcare | 6 months- 2 years | INR 6,000-12,000 |
| Certificate in Medical Nurse Assistant | Global Institute of Health Management | 6 months | INR 17,500 |
| Certificate in Home Health Assistant | IGNOU | 2 years | INR 6,000 |
| Certificate in Ophthalmic Nursing Assistant | The Sankara Nethralaya Academy | 2 years | INR 40,000 |
Top Colleges for Certificate Medical Assistant Courses in India
Given below is a short description of top colleges offering these certificates. We have categorized these colleges based on offering online certificates and offline certificates.
Colleges for Online Certificate Medical Assistant Courses
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants | US |
| US Career Institute | US |
| Care One Health Training Institute | Wadford Dr, Raleigh, NC |
Colleges for Offline Certificate Medical Assistant Courses
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Delhi Paramedical and Management Institute | Ashok Nagar |
| Global Institute of Health Management | Delhi |
| Indira Gandhi National Open University | New Delhi, |
Diploma and PG Diploma Medical Assistant Courses
Diploma in medical assistant is available as a full-time as well as a part-time graduate-level. The minimum eligibility criteria are the completion of class 10th from a recognized board.
- Diploma courses offer specific knowledge compared to elaborated teaching in full-time bachelor and master degrees. Therefore, they save both time and money.
- PG Diploma equips a candidate with the necessary skills of a medical assistant. There will be practical sessions where you get to practice skills in providing primary treatment to the patients.
Aspirants who are planning to save on resources and pursue a more career-oriented course should go for Diploma and PG Diploma Medical Assistant courses.
Top Diploma Medical Assistant Courses
Some of the popular diploma courses which can be pursued in the field of international business are given below.
| Diploma Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Nursing Administration | Indira Gandhi National Open University | INR 9,000 |
| Diploma in Physician Assistant | SVU- Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry University Community College | INR 17,630 |
Top PG Diploma in Medical Assistant Courses
PG Diploma courses are pursued after one has completed his or her graduation or some diploma course. Both should be in the related field only.
| PG Diploma Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fees | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Post Graduate Diploma in Physician Assistant | Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, St. Francis College for Women | INR 20,000-50,000 | Offline |
How are Admissions in Diploma and PG Diploma Medical Assistant Courses Done?
Admission for diploma courses is different for different colleges. While for the admission in PGD, the selection of students is done based on the merit score only.
- For a Diploma in medical assistant courses, some Institutes offer admission based on merit while some conduct an entrance examination. Shortlisted candidates are called for a personal interview to get admission in the desired medical assistant program.
- For PGD in Physician Assistant, an applicant must possess a bachelor's degree in nursing or life sciences with a minimum score of 60% aggregate. The merit score of a candidate is taken into consideration for enrollment.
Top Colleges Offering Diploma and PG Diploma in Medical Assistant Courses
Given below are the colleges in India which offer Medical Assistant courses.
Colleges for Diploma Medical Assistant Courses
| Name of the Institute | Location |
|---|---|
| Delhi Paramedical and Management Institute | New Delhi |
| Institute of Public Health and Hygiene | New Delhi |
| Pondicherry University Community College | Pondicherry |
| SVU- Sumandeep Vidyapeeth | Gujarat |
Colleges for PG Diploma Medical Assistant Courses
| Name of the Institute | Location |
|---|---|
| Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences | Nellore |
| Indira Gandhi National Open University | New Delhi |
| St. Francis College for Women | Hyderabad |
Bachelor Medical Assistant Courses
Undergraduate courses are chosen due to their versatility and diversity. Though diplomas and the certification courses are the most opted by the students, few also go with the Graduate programs.
Graduate programs are geared towards professionals who seek to enhance their knowledge in the area of healthcare and also provide valuable experience to the candidates.
- Bachelor's course in medical assistant is a 4 years full-time course.
- In this program, candidates get to learn about laboratory procedures, medical business, and operations as well as patient care.
Top Undergraduate (UG) Medical Assistant Courses
| Course | Top Colleges | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | AIIMS New Delhi, CMC Vellore, PGIMER Chandigarh | 4 years | INR 2,000 - INR 2,00,000 |
| B.Sc in Physician Assistant | Apollo Institute of Hospital Management and Allied Sciences, DY Patil University | 3 years | INR 1,00,000- INR 4,00,000 |
How are Admissions Bachelor Medical Assistant Courses Done?
Admission in the various courses in medical assistant can vary as per the university rules and regulations.
- Some universities offer admission to the students based on the merit in the qualifying examination.
- Some grant admission based on the entrance exam conducted for the specific course.
Colleges for Bachelor Medical Assistant Courses
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University | Pondicherry |
| Christian Medical College | Vellore |
| DY Patil University | Navi Mumbai |
| Sri Ramachandra University | Chennai |
Master Medical Assistant Courses
Master Medical Assistant courses are generally pursued by those students who are not satisfied with a bachelor’s or diploma and want to grow their career and earn more.
They have a zeal for more specializations.
- Masters in Medical Assistant is a 1-2 years degree course.
- Candidate can do it either through regular or correspondence mode
Even those students who are looking to enter the medical research field should opt for master’s medical assistant courses as they are compulsory to pursue a Ph.D. course.
Top Postgraduate (PG) Medical Assistant Courses
| Course Name | College Name | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc in Physician Assistant (Cardiovascular and Thoracic Sciences | Amrita Center for Allied Health Science, | 2 years | INR 1.89 Lakhs |
| M.Sc Allied Health Sciences | Amrita Institute of Medical Science and Research Center | 2 years | INR 1.89 Lakhs |
| M.Sc in Physician Assistant(Medical Oncology) | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Coimbatore | 2 years | INR 1.89 Lakhs |
| Advanced Post Graduate Diploma in Physician Assistant | St. Francis College for Women | 1 year | INR 50,000 |
How are Admissions Master Medical Assistant Courses Done?
Different procedures are followed for different course degrees. Admission in M.Sc and PGD program in Physician Assistant are mentioned below.
- For M.Sc in Physician Assistant, the Candidate must have a bachelor's degree in Physician Assistant course from a recognized university, and one year of job experience is also needed to qualify for the same.
- For PGD in Physician Assistant, the applicant must have scored at least 60% marks in Bachelors in Physician Assistant program.
Colleges for Master Medical Assistant Courses
| Name of the Institute | Location |
|---|---|
| Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences | Faridabad |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University | Coimbatore |
| DY Patil University | Mumbai |
| St. Francis College for Women | Hyderabad |
Doctorate Medical Assistant Courses
Ph.D. in health sciences is a medical assistant doctorate that teaches a candidate about Life sciences, Medical Sciences, Clinical Engineering, Physiological Sciences, and many more.
The minimum duration of these programs is 3-5 years, though it can be extended according to the demands of research.
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After Ph.D., students can work as Pharmacists, Health Inspectors, Physiotherapists, Physician Assistant, etc.
The average salary after doctorate courses is around INR 10,000-2,00,000 in India.
Top PhD Medical Assistant Courses
The table below shows the most popular Ph.D. Health Science courses in India.
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. in Health Alliance Science | SPPU SIMAT Chitkara University | INR 4,25,000 |
How are Admissions in Doctorate Medical Assistant Courses Done?
Admissions in doctorate courses in India varies from college to college.
- Students need to have a master’s degree or PG Diploma to be eligible for a doctorate in Health Science courses.
- Few Institutions offer admission based on the merit score while some of the universities conduct entrance examinations to judge a candidate's abilities and skill sets. Some of the entrance exams include GATE, UGC NET, GPAT, etc.
Colleges for Doctorate Medical Assistant Courses
The table below shows some of the best colleges in India to pursue a doctorate in health science courses.
| Name of the Institute | Location |
|---|---|
| SIMAT | Chennai |
| Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology | Kanchipuram |
| SPPU | Pune |
| Noida International University | Greater Noida |
What are the Top Job Options After Medical Assistant Courses?
The employment of medical assistants is growing faster than all the other occupations. An increasing number of healthcare facilities, clinics need support workers, particularly medical assistants to complete both administrative and clinical duties.
Below we have discussed some of the common and popular job roles after this course, their average salary, and what skills the hospitals seek.
Dental Assistant
The job responsibility of a dental assistant is to take care of patients and perform a variety of health-related tasks such as performing dental x-rays and helps in maintaining file records and appointment scheduling.
They help in assisting dentists in managing medical and dental emergencies when necessary.
Starting Salary: INR 1,60,000
Skills Required
- Meditation skills
- Listening skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Concentration skills
Phlebotomist
The job of a phlebotomist is to collect the blood samples from patients for testing by microtechniques. They also sometimes visit different sites to set up mobile donation centers.
Starting Salary: INR 2,36,412
Skills Required
- Detail-oriented
- Ability to multitask
- Team Player
- Compassion
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapists are also known as movement experts who improve the quality of life through prescribed exercises, hands-onis care, and patient education.
They treat all individuals of all ages, from newborns to people at the end of their life.
Starting Salary: INR 2,76,580
Skills Required
- Detail-oriented
- Communication skills
- Multitasking
- Physical Stamina
Nursing Assistant
Nursing Assistants are also known as Nursing Aides who provide basic care to the patients in hospitals and residents of long-term facilities, such as nursing homes.
Starting Salary: INR 2,50,000
Skills Required
- Attention to detail
- Interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of medical terminology
- Consistency
- Understanding of common disorders
What Skills are Required in Medical Assistant Courses?
For a good and successful medical assistant, it's very necessary to know about medical assistant courses along with their prerequisite skills sets to be a professional in that field. Some of the key skills that are required in the field of a medical assistant are mentioned below.
Communication Skills
- Communication skills hold great value in a medical career. Communication plays an important role when dealing with patients and colleagues. It is key to the initial diagnosis.
- They need to be active listeners to understand patient issues. They must be able to communicate information to other healthcare professionals effectively.
Top Communication Skills Courses
| Course Name | Provider | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improving Communication skills | University of Pennsylvania (Coursera) | Approx 10 hours | INR 5,870 |
| Communication Skills: Become Clear, Concise, and Confident | Udemy | 1 hour | INR 455 |
| Teamwork skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups | University of Colorado (Coursera) | Approx 10 hours | INR 2,155 |
Communication Skills Course Syllabus
| Conveying ideas | Active listening |
| Make messages memorable | Non-verbal coding communication |
| Asking questions | Communication media |
Communication Skills Job Profiles
- Health care assistant
- Medical assistant
- Emergency medicine doctor
- Dental Assistant
Medical Knowledge
- Medical Assistants should have a good practical knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and basic procedures such as drawing blood or dressing a wound.
- Knowledge of CPR and first is also required to be a medical assistant.
Top Medical Knowledge Courses
| Course Name | Provider | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vital Signs: Understanding what the body is telling us | University of Pennsylvania (Coursera) | Approx 14 hours | INR 2,155 |
| Medical Coding and Billing- Start a Promising Career | Udemy | 37 mins | INR 455 |
| Your guide to the pharmaceutical industry | Udemy | 42 mins | INR 468 |
Medical Knowledge Course Syllabus
| Pulse | Metabolism |
| Basic Medical Coding and Billing Basics | Blood Pressure |
| Temperature | Medical practices |
Medical Knowledge Job Profiles
- Medical Assistant
- Physicians
- Nursing Assistant
Interpersonal Skills
- It is an important skill that a medical assistant should possess. This skill is required for a medical assistant to be able to discuss patient information with other medical personnel. They get to interact with the patients who may be in pain or distress.
- They need to act calm with all the patients and need to handle all the situations professionally.
Top Interpersonal Skills Courses
| Course Name | Provider | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effective interpersonal skills | Udemy | 1.5 hours | INR 455 |
| Communication and Interpersonal skills at work | FutureLearn | Approx 2 weeks | Free( Audit) |
| Interpersonal skills for Elite Leaders and Project Managers | Udemy | 1 hour | INR 455 |
| Interpersonal skills For Health Care Workers | Udemy | 1 hour | INR 455 |
Interpersonal Skills Course Syllabus
| What does your behavior say about you? | Gaining more power and control |
| How well do you know yourself?to | The importance of sharing things about yourself |
| Observation: A source of Real Power | Developing the rapport power |
Interpersonal Skills Job Profiles
- Dental Assistant
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Physician Assistant
Technical Skills
- Technical skills are required for a medical assistant to carry out different tasks successfully. They should be able to use basic clinical instruments so that they can assist a physician in minor surgery.
- Having technical skills are important to take a patient's vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure.
Top Technical Skills Courses
| Course Name | Provider | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| TECH MeD: Transdisciplinary Education for Critical Hacks of Medical Devices | University of Florida | Approx 8 hours | INR 2,155 |
| MedTech: Digital Health and Wearable Technology | FutureLearn | 2 weeks | $ 74 |
Technical Skills Course Syllabus
| About technical issues | What is Digital medicine? |
| Technology and Data in Digital Machine | Digital medicine challenges and opportunities |
| Sensors and wearables in a digital machine | - |
Technical Skills Job Profiles
- Nursing Assistant
- Phlebotomist
- Psychiatric Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
Medical Assistant Courses Online Fees and Rating Comparison
To know in detail about more courses, look at this table below here. We have listed the best online medical assistant courses in order of rating provided to them by the students enrolled. The fees and duration of the online courses are also mentioned.
| Course Name | Provider | Duration | Rating | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation for assisting in Homecare | The State University of New York ( Coursera) | Approx 76 hours | 4.7 | INR 2,155 |
| HI-FI: Health Informatics for Innovation, Value, and Enrichment ( Clinical Perspective) | Columbia University (Coursera) | Approx 42 hours | 4.6 | INR 2,155 |
| Medical Terminology | Udemy | 12.5 hours | 4.5 | INR 455 |
| Advanced Physician Assistant: Opioid Use Disorder Medication-Assisted Treatment Waiver Training | University of Virginia (Coursera) | Approx 27 hours | 4.5 | INR 2,155 |
| Medical Care Assistant Basic Sciences | Udemy | 43 min | 3.3 | INR 455 |
| Medical Assistant, EKG, and Phlebotomy Practice for NHA | Udemy | Self | 2.4 | INR 455 |
Comparison of Online Platforms Offering Medical Assistant Courses
The below table shows some points to compare the online medical assistant courses offered by the two popular agencies, Udemy and Coursera. In this case, we have compared their medical assistant courses.
| Parameters | Udemy | Coursera |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | INR 455 | INR 2,155 |
| Student Rating | 4.5 | 4.7 |
| Enrollment | 3,659 | 6,417 |
| Duration | 12.5 hours | 76 hours (Approx.) |
| Created by | Paul Stewart | Erin O'Hara- Leslie |
Medical Assistant Courses: FAQs
Ques. What are the different medical assistant credentials available for an aspiring medical assistant?
Ans. There are various accepted certifications available such as Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA).
Ques. What are the tools required for medical assisting?
Ans. There is various medical equipment that is required. Some are X-ray machines, blood pressure monitors, EKG machines, and hemoglobin machines.
Ques. What are the career options available who want to work in the healthcare field?
Ans. Different career options after pursuing a medical assistant course are dental assistant, dental hygienist, psychiatric technician, and many more.
All the details regarding the job profile and their salaries and skills too are mentioned above.
Ques. Is a medical assistant course worth pursuing?
Ans. Yes, it is worth pursuing a medical course as in upcoming years, it is expected to grow by 29%. There are various job opportunities for a medical assistant. Some of them have been mentioned above.
Ques. Which country is best for International Business Courses?
Ans. USA, UK, Malaysia, Canada, and Russia are some of the best countries for becoming a medical assistant.
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