Medical Assistant
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
Medical Assistants typically do the following:
Take patient histories and measure vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, etc.).
Prepare patients for exams and assist physicians during procedures.
Administer medications or injections as directed by a physician.
Collect and prepare lab specimens, including blood and urine.
Schedule appointments and manage patient records.
Handle billing and coding for insurance purposes.
Maintain clean, stocked exam rooms and sterilize instruments.
Provide patient education on treatments and medications.
Overview
Medical Assistant Diploma
The Houston Institute of Global Health’s accelerated Medical Assistant Diploma is designed to get your career ready in just 10-12 months. You’ll dive into office and lab procedures, medical software, and pharmacology, equipping you with a solid foundation for the medical assisting field. Plus, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience through a 50-hour clinical externship in MAT280 Clinical Competencies III and 180-hour clinical externship, where you’ll practice what you’ve learned in a real medical setting. By the time you land your first job, you’ll be fully prepared to jump right in and make an impact from day one.
- 10- 12 months*
- Online + 4 Saturdays from 10:30-3:30 for MAT275 Clinical Competencies II and Externship
- 900 clock hours/42 credits
- HIGH campus, Online learning
Hands-on learning
Get real-world ready with clinical experience.
Earn your credentials
Show your future employer that you’ve met the highest standards of preparation in the field.
Flexible format
All courses are completed online, with the exception of 4 Saturdays from 10:30-3:30 for MAT275 Clinical Competencies II and the externships.
Curriculum
Graduates of the Medical Assistant Diploma will be qualified to assist in all areas of Medical Assisting, including administrative support duties, clinical procedures, insurance coding, and patient care.
For course descriptions, see our course Catalog.
MAT102
Intro to Medical Assisting | 2 credits |
HIT135
Legal Aspects of Healthcare | 3 credits |
HIT215
Medical Coding and Insurance | 3 credits |
HST111
Medical Terminology | 3 credits |
HST116
Human Structure and Function | 3 credits |
HST140
Pharmacology | 3 credits |
HST165
Cultural Competence and Communication for Health Professionals | 3 credits |
HST200
Diseases of the Human Body | 3 credits |
MAT265
Clinical Competencies I | 3 credits |
MAT250
Professionalism in Healthcare | 2 credits |
MAT275
Clinical Competencies II | 3 credits |
MAT280
Clinical Competencies III | 4 credits |
MOA210
Medical Office Management | 3 credits |
MAT295
Medical Assisting Externship | 4 credits |
