Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant

Instructor: Amanda Drain

MA Drug Testing Instructions

Ever thought about being the "MVP" of a doctor’s office? A Medical Assistant (MA) is the person who does a little bit of everything; from assisting patients to running the business in the front.

If you want to jumpstart a career in healthcare before you even finish high school, here is the "need-to-know" list for this program!

The Fun (Hands-On) Stuff

You aren't just sitting at a desk; you’re learning real-world medical skills. You will learn how to:

• Take Vitals: Check blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.
• Give Shots & Draw Blood: Yes, you’ll learn the proper way to give injections and "venipuncture" (drawing blood).
• Run the Lab: Perform simple tests and handle medical samples.
• Keep Records: Master the art of documenting patient info like a pro.

The "Office" Skills

Doctors' offices can't run without the business side. You’ll also learn:

• Scheduling: Getting patients in the door.
• Insurance & Billing: Figuring out how the money side of medicine works.
• Office Management: Keeping the whole clinic organized and professional.

The "Real Deal" Requirements

This program is high-energy and requires you to be responsible. Here is what is expected of you:

• Practice on Each Other: To learn, you’ll have to be both the "medical assistant" and the "patient." This means you’ll be giving and receiving real shots and blood draws with your classmates!
• Stay Sharp: You’ll follow strict safety rules for handling fluids and must pass random drug testing to stay in the program.
• The Big Externship: You’ll need to complete 160 hours of hands-on work in a real medical clinic. (Pro-tip: You and your parents are responsible for your ride there and back!)

The Game Plan (Read This!)

To get your Utah Endorsed Medical Assisting Certificate, you have to pass four big exams: Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Office Management, and Clinical Laboratory.

The Secret to Success: It is highly preferred that you take Medical Terminology and Medical Anatomy during your Junior year. Getting these out of the way early makes your Senior year way less stressful!

The Finish Line

Once you pass the exams and finish your 160 hours, you'll have a certificate that lets you go straight to work! You can even take a National Exam to be certified to work anywhere in the country.