Allied health schools prepare students to work as medical assistants.
Allied health professionals work in the medicine, dentistry and nursing fields. Educational and training programs in the state of Pennsylvania are available that prepare students for careers in these fields. The programs combine classroom work with hands-on training in professional settings. Career centers at these schools often work with local Pennsylvania hospitals and medical facilities to help students find employment after graduation.
Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology
Located in Mount Braddock, the Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology was founded in 1987 and offers career training in the healthcare field. Careers are available in medical assisting, medical office administration and practical nursing. Career services at the school include job referrals, interviewing techniques, job placement and resume preparation. The college offers classes four days a week in both the day and evening to accommodate students with personal and professional obligations.
Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences
The Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers certificate, associate's degree and bachelor's degree programs in a variety of allied health concentrations. Academic programs are available in surgical technology, healthcare administration, respiratory care, nursing, nuclear medicine technology, diagnostic medical sonography and clinical laboratory science. Portions of the curriculum are available online for students interested in a distance learning format. Continuing education is also available for current professionals in the field looking to improve their knowledge and skills in the field.
Delaware Valley Academy
The Delaware Valley Academy offers a medical assisting and dental assisting program that prepares students for careers in these fields. The Accredited Allied Health Training Institution accredits these two programs to ensure students receive a quality education. In addition to classroom work, students in the programs are required to complete an eight-week internship for 30 hours per week. Graduates of the medical assistant program are eligible for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) examination, while those in the dental assistant program can take the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) examination.
Kaplan Career Institute
The Kaplan Career Institute in Pittsburgh offers allied health training in medical assisting and occupational therapy assisting. While an associate degree is available for those interested in the occupational therapy assistant program, students interested in the medical assisting program have the option of enrolling in a diploma or associate degree program. The diploma program only offers courses specific to career training, while the associate degree program includes career training courses and general education requirements. Those who want to continue an education at the bachelor's degree level may want to enroll in the associate degree program.
Tags: associate degree, medical assisting, assistant program, associate degree program, career training
