Medical Assistant FAQ

Medical Assistants work in medical offices, hospitals, or other healthcare facilities and provide clinical and administrative support to doctors and other medical staff members.

Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks, including clinical and administrative duties. These tasks may include preparing patients for exams, measuring vital signs, scheduling appointments, managing insurance claims, and more.

To become a medical assistant, postsecondary or on-the-job training is required. DTC’s Medical Assisting Program prepares students for the National Medical Assistant (NCMA) Certification Exam and to pursue entry-level medical assisting positions.  

To learn more, check out How Long Does it Take to Become a Medical Assistant?

Both medical assistants and nurses both assist patients and doctors, but the specific tasks and workload can vary drastically. 

One of the biggest differences between medical assistants and nurses is their level of education and their scope of responsibility. Nurses are able to work directly with patients under their own license as a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). Medical assistants work under the supervision of a doctor or sometimes a registered nurse.

There is also a difference between medical assistants and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). To learn more, check out Medical Assistant vs. CNA: Key Differences.

The Medical Assisting Program at Delta Technical College (DTC) takes 9 months to complete.

The Medical Assisting Program at DTC can be completed in less than a year. What makes it unique is the emphasis on hands-on training, providing students with a realistic experience of working in a medical setting. Medical assisting students at DTC also complete an externship at the end of the program, which gives them experience in a real-world medical work setting. Additionally, DTC offers qualifying graduates the career placement assistance to help find an entry-level position in the field.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median pay for medical assistants as $42,000 as of May 2023. The top 10% of medical assistants earn over $56,480. 

Medical assisting is one of the most in-demand careers in the country–demand for medical assistants is expected to grow 15% through 2033. This is much faster than the national average for all occupations (4%).