Medical Assistant Online/Hybrid Diploma Program

Available in Altoona and State College Campuses

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Complete this form to request more information about South Hills School of Business & Technology’s specialized associate degree programs and classes!

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Medical Assistant Online/Hybrid Diploma Program

Available in Altoona and State College Campuses

For those who are passionate about caring for others, a career as a medical assistant could be the perfect fit. Medical assisting is a hands-on position that lets you contribute to both clinical and administrative work behind the scenes at a variety of healthcare facilities and organizations, doing everything from managing patient records to collecting blood samples to assisting with patient exams. Medical assistants make a profound difference in patient comfort and care, and South Hills School of Business & Technology can prepare you to enter this field with our Diploma in Medical Assistant.

Program Highlights:

What you need to know about our Medical Assistant program

Medical Assistant Program Objectives:

Through a comprehensive educational training program including attention to theory, practice, and application, students in the Medical Assistant program will develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes:

  • Collect and prepare laboratory specimens and perform basic laboratory tests for application in a healthcare setting. 
  • Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician in a healthcare setting.
  • Explain treatment procedures and prepare patients for examination.
  • Apply proper aseptic techniques for diagnostic and treatment procedures commonly performed in a healthcare setting.
  • Utilize the electronic health record to perform medical office functions, such as patient scheduling/check-in, billing, coding, and documenting patient information.
  • Apply diagnosis/procedure codes to inpatient records using ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS.
  • Apply diagnosis/procedure codes to outpatient records using ICD-10-CM and CPT-4. 
  • Apply billing and coding procedures to submit claims for reimbursement.
  • Apply HIPAA and other regulations regarding confidentiality of patient information to workplace scenarios.

 

Why You Should Choose South Hills

South Hills School of Business & Technology has been in the business of helping our students gain the specialized career skills they need for over 50 years. We know that we can help you, too, as you prepare for your future career. Here are just a few reasons why:

Small Class
Sizes

Medical Assistant
It’s important to us that each of our students feels seen, both in what they need out of their education and what their goals are. It’s why we keep our class sizes small, so you can build a personal relationship with your teachers.

Internship and Networking Opportunities

Medical Assistant
Every specialized degree program we offer at South Hills includes a 12-week internship component, which gives you not only hands-on experience, but also a chance to network and connect with our partner organizations.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Medical Assistant
Finances shouldn’t stand in the way of you being able to train for the career you want. South Hills offers a number of ways to help pay for your program for those who qualify. Grants, loans, and special funding for veterans are just some of the possibilities we can explore with you, and our Financial Aid team is available to help you navigate these options.

Experienced Instructors and Mentors

Medical Assistant
Our instructors are also experienced professionals who know what it takes to be successful in the job market. Marketing and management classes are taught by market consultants, coordinators, and skilled leaders who incorporate their experience into the curriculum.

 

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*Upon successful completion of the MA program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

The Outlook for Medical Assisting Jobs and Careers

The demand for healthcare in the United States is growing every day, and with much of our population aging, the need for skilled medical professionals is expected to expand rapidly. Medical assistants are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country Certified job candidates with quality training from an accredited ASB degree program will be well positioned to take advantage of this in-demand career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics published these facts in 2023: 
 
  • Projected growth (2021-2031)
  • Much faster than average (11% or higher)
  • Projected job openings (2021-2031) 123,000

Medical Assistant graduates who have secured their CMA Certification can expect to be working in entry level healthcare jobs like:

  • Certified Medical Assistant
  • Electrocardiography Technician
  • Medical Administrative Assistant
  • Phlebotomist
  •  Emergency Department Technician
  • and more!

Careers For Medical Assistants

South Hills Medical Assistant graduates are well-trained and in demand for their skillsets and work ethics. Some of the many locations employing our graduates including but not limited to:

  • Advanced Regional Center for Ankle and Foot Care
  • Allegheny Regional Endoscopy (Blair Gastroenterology)
  • Altoona Heart and Vascular Institute
  • Altoona Lung Specialists
  • Blair Medical Associates
  • Dr. Nalin G. Patel
  • Geisinger
  • Huntingdon Healthcare, Inc.
  • James E. Van Zandt Veterans' Administration Medical Center in Altoona
  • Mount Nittany Physician’s Group
  • Penn Highlands Center For Childrens Care
  • Susquehanna Health
  • Tyrone Medical Associates
  • University Orthopedics in State College & Altoona
  • UPMC Altoona

Financial Aid is available to
those who qualify

Investing in your education is an investment in your future. South Hills is committed to helping you take advantage of the many financial aid options available to you. Most eligible full- and half-time students seeking degrees are eligible for financial aid. To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form; our school code (OPE ID) is 013263. South Hills offers to all its enrolling students full-service financial aid appointments to assist you every step of the way through the financial aid process. We greatly encourage you to contact our Financial Aid office at 814-234-7755 or email financialaid@southhills.edu to setup your appointment.

We'll help you do everything necessary to apply for aid from these sources:

  • Applying for Financial Aid - Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)
  • Federal Pell Grant (PELL) - Pennsylvania State Grant
  • Federal Student Loans - Federal PLUS Loan
  • Alternative Loans - Scholarships 
  • Other Financial Aid Resources
 

Hear From Our Alumni

Explore the impact of our programs through the experiences and accomplishments of our esteemed alumni. Check out our Alumni Testimonials page for more.
Alicia Aukerman cropped

Meet a South Hills Medical Assistant Alumni

” I chose South Hills, because of the school size. At South Hills, you are a person, not a number. I definitely do feel like everything that was in my classes and program related. All the clinical skills I learned, the medical terminology, and the coding classes, these are still valuable to me now as a medical assistant. I would recommend South Hills to anyone because they make sure you are prepared and ready for a career.”
- Alicia Aukerman

The complete course lists for the Medical Assistant program is located in our Course Catalog.

Meet the Faculty

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Bobbi Brumbaugh

Lead Program Coordinator (AL)