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It is generally agreed that two of the most important steps toward realizing one’s full potential in life are investing in one’s education and finding a job that offers room for advancement.
Finding one of the many Medical Assisting Schools in McAllen, Texas, is a great place to start.
Future medical assistants who pursue a degree in McAllen, TX, usually find their career options endless.
1 South Texas College
About the School
The Medical Assistant program at South Texas College is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in various healthcare settings.
The program is offered in both traditional day classes and hybrid classes.
This allows students to choose the best schedule and learning style format.
The program is offered at the Nursing and Allied Health Campus and can be started in either the fall or spring semester.
Additionally, students can choose to enroll full-time or part-time, depending on their personal and professional commitments.
Course Offered
The program consists of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience, allowing students to apply what they have learned in the real world.
Coursework includes:
- Medical Terminology I
- Administrative Procedures
- Medical Insurance
- Basic Medical Coding
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Practicum I
Upon completion of the medical assistant program, graduates will have the necessary expertise and skills to sit for the CMA exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Graduates will also be prepared for entry-level positions in medical offices, clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare settings.
Address: 3201 Pecan Blvd, McAllen, TX 78501
2 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
About the School
The Continuing Education program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley prepares students to work alongside doctors in a variety of clinical settings.
This program features 140 hours of classroom lectures and hands-on labs.
Students who complete the program may also have the opportunity to participate in an optional clinical externship at a local healthcare provider.
However, to be eligible for this externship, students must complete the 140-hour program, submit to a thorough background check and drug screening, and meet other requirements.
Courses Offered
The program includes instruction in a variety of areas, such as:
- Preparing patients for examination and treatment
- Routine laboratory procedures
- Diagnostic testing
- Technical aspects of Phlebotomy
- Cardiac life cycle
Upon completing the program, students will be eligible to take the NHA’s CCMA national examination.
Finally, the program costs $2,999.
Address: 1201 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78539
3 Southern Careers Institute
About the School
The Southern Careers Institute in Pharr, Texas, offers a Medical Assistant program that prepares students for success as valuable medical team members.
The program covers essential components of the role, including patient care, EKG monitoring, pharmacology, and clinical skills.
In as little as 36 weeks, graduates will be eligible to sit for medical certifications, including Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMMA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified EKG Technician (CET), Basic Life Support (BLS), Microsoft Office Specialist: Word, and MA Career Skills.
Course Offered
The Southern Careers Institute’s Medical Assistant program covers a variety of courses to prepare students for a successful career in the healthcare industry.
Some of the courses included in the program are:
- Foundational Body Systems
- Vital Body Systems
- Transformative Body Systems
- Electronic Records and Medical Practice
- Utilizing Electronic Records Systems
- Billing and Insurance for Medical offices
- Telemedicine Communication
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Electrocardiogram I
- Electrocardiogram II
- Medication & Parenteral Administration
- Phlebotomy: Special Collections
- Phlebotomy: Venipuncture Procedures
During the program, students can work face-to-face with patients and their physicians, providing care and performing administrative functions.
Students will learn skills such as reading vital signs, performing ECGs and CPR, and drawing blood.
The Southern Careers Institute provides students with various flexible scheduling options to help accommodate their personal and professional commitments.
Day and evening classes are available to cater to students’ individual needs.
The Southern Careers Institute also offers in-person and online learning opportunities to provide further flexibility.
This enables students to select the learning format that is best suited to their schedule and preferred learning style.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are also available to help students cover the program’s cost.
Address: 1500 N Jackson Rd, Pharr, TX 78577
4 Rio Grande Valley College
About the School
The Medical Assistant Program at Rio Grande Valley College provides students with the fundamental skills to become knowledgeable and competent medical assistants.
This 30-week, 900-clock-hour program prepares students to work alongside healthcare providers in one of the nation’s fastest-growing occupations.
Upon completion of the medical assistant program, graduates receive a certificate of completion from Rio Grande Valley College.
They may also pursue certification by passing a nationally measured proficiency examination.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant Program at Rio Grande Valley College offers students a comprehensive curriculum to prepare them for a successful career in the healthcare industry.
Some of the courses included in the program are:
- Professional Development with Medical Technology
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Medical Office Administrative Procedures
- Medical Insurance
- Electronic Health Records
- Clinical Procedures 1: Fundamentals of Clinical MA
- Clinical Procedures 2: Assisting with Medications
- Clinical Procedures 3: Assisting with Medical Specialties
- Clinical Procedures 4: Diagnostic Procedures
- Clinical Procedures 5: Assisting with Surgery
At RGV College, assistant medical students have the opportunity to learn a variety of beneficial career skills.
These skills include taking medical histories and patient vitals, explaining treatment procedures to patients, performing basic lab tests, preparing and administering medications, properly drawing blood, and taking electrocardiograms.
Furthermore, the program is designed to provide students with hands-on experience and training to ensure that they are well-prepared for the demands of the healthcare industry.
As a result, graduates are equipped with the expertise needed to work effectively in a medical office or clinical setting.
The Medical Assistant Program at Rio Grande Valley College has a total program cost of $13,500.
This cost covers tuition, fees, and other related expenses associated with the program.
Address: 5419 N. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | South Texas College |
|
#2 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|
#3 | Southern Careers Institute |
|
#4 | Rio Grande Valley College |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Assistant
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