For most people, our healthcare needs leave us with a conundrum of how exactly to proceed. On the one hand we feel crummy and do not want to wait a week or more to see our general care provider. On the other hand, our symptoms can hardly be described as urgent and we do not want to be a burden to the hospital emergency room or to spend the money on the visit to the ER. In addition to the unnecessary urgency and increased cost, it can be a seriously time consuming trip to spend three or more hours waiting to see someone for your sore throat simply because more immediate care is needed for other people. That leaves us stuck needing medical care but not knowing exactly what the best course of action is to receive it. Fortunately, there is a new option for those patients who need care quickly. It is called a walk in clinic and it is becoming more and more common in many different places all over the country. They are in the local drug store, as storefronts in shopping malls and even in some grocery stores. The need for care from something like a walk in clinic is lead by society’s demands for affordable and convenient healthcare. People need a care provider who is convenient and accessible or else they do not go at all. Basically a walk in clinic is a place that is used to treat minor and common problems. Usually they are not staffed by doctors, but by a certified nurse practitioner who can assess a patient’s well being and prescribe medication if necessary. They treat things like minor infections of the sinus, respiratory tract or bladder. They can diagnose things like strep throat or sprained wrists and they can even deal with chronic conditions like eczema or gout. For some, these places offer a quick and affordable source for booster shots and vaccinations. While these clinics offer great sources for simple medical treatments, they are not a substitute for regular visits to physicians. Additionally, anyone who goes to visit one of these convenient spots should also follow up and inform their doctor of any treatment they have had prior or any medication they may have prescribed. While a walk in clinic may be great for minor ailments, they are not always the best choice for all issues. They do not offer much in the way of follow up care or treatment of chronic conditions. When you go to visit, chances are you will be seen by a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant and almost definitely not by a doctor. This means that sometimes lingering problems are missed and chronic ailments go undiagnosed. Also, because the staff is frequently rotated, it is not likely a person will be recognized or speak with someone who had previously treated them. This puts the satisfaction rating for most people very low and makes it particularly hard for some to feel comfortable divulging personal information to a total stranger every time they come in.

In 21st century America, career security is a hot topic and of great importance. With an aging population and rapid medical advances, medical assisting careers and other similar jobs in the health care field, are expected to grow faster than all other career fields. Medical assistant training program offers you the opportunity for that first and most important step for a stable future.The first step in becoming a medical assistant is a good education – Most aspiring professionals attend a medical assistant college or training program to get the textbook knowledge and job skills they will need for a medical assisting career. Medical assistant classes provide knowledge that is relevant and necessary to the duties you will perform on the job. With the inclusion of practical career skills, you will be prepared for all aspects of a medical assisting career.Because health care careers are growing steadily, it is an asset to be able to train in different medical fields. With a medical assisting certification, you have a foundation for a variety of medical careers. You can build upon medical assistant training by taking additional college courses to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or a registered nurse (RN). If you like to help people, attending medical assisting class can help you realize your career dreams.A Medical Assisting certification program is versatileYou can follow many career paths after attending medical assisting programs: Medical assistants are urgently needed in all 50 states; you’ll likely be able to work anywhere. Additionally, medical assistants have a wide variety of choices in the workplace. You could work for a small community care clinic or for a world-famous medical research center. By helping the attending physician complete job duties, and providing personalized attention to patients, you will be making a difference with your medical assisting career, you will be helping people. With a medical assisting certification, you’ll have the knowledge and discipline to get more credentials in a related health care field. You will be embarking upon a secure and challenging career path — medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing and most secure career areas in the nation.What will I learn when enrolled in a Medical Assisting Program? The short answer: a lot! With numerous classes targeted to the medical assisting career, you’ll learn the following skills, and more: Physician assisting skills and duties Medical assistant specific administrative and clerical tasks, such as insurance billing and maintenance of medical records Phlebotomy practices and techniques Common on-the-job laboratory processes A professional vocabulary of medical terminology Human anatomy and physiology Electrocardiogram (EKG) techniques and skills Pharmacology and drug dosing Career search coaching Industry standard computer software that will make you a more attractive job candidate The professional demeanor required for a medical assistant careerMost importantly, you will combine the knowledge from your medical assisting classes with a four-week, real-world externship at a doctor’s office or clinic. When hiring candidates for medical assistant positions potential employers value education, but they also value hands-on, practical experience. With on-site clinical experience and a comprehensive education, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding medical assistant career.