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Medical assistants are a vital part of any medical team.
From doctor’s offices to hospitals, medical assistants work to ensure a supportive, well-run environment for patients and staff.
Medical assistants perform a multitude of tasks, from taking patients’ vital signs and assisting in procedures to dealing with insurance claims and record keeping.
A good assistant will be flexible, work well with a team as well as independently, be well organized, friendly, compassionate, and have good computer skills.
In Portland, Oregon, the average medical assistant’s salary is $52,100.
Most of these professionals are also offered good benefits like medical and dental coverage, paid vacation, and retirement plans as well.
If you have an interest in becoming a medical assistant in Portland, Oregon, take a look at these schools that offer courses.
1 Carrington College
About The School
Carrington College is a private vocational school that offers certificate and degree programs in a variety of allied healthcare professions.
Programs include medical assistant, dental assistant, pharmacy technician, and nursing.
With several locations across the United States, the school follows a comprehensive curriculum and is accredited by The Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Course Offering
The medical assisting program at Carrington College takes 9 months to complete and students will receive instruction in clerical and front office duties like scheduling, patient information, insurance claims, billing, and record keeping.
From a clinical standpoint, instruction includes anatomy and physiology, diagnostic testing, phlebotomy skills, sterilization and cleaning of equipment and patient areas, medication, and medical terminology.
The cost of the program is $15,000.
All students must have a high school diploma.
Address: 2004 Lloyd Center Portland, Oregon 97232
2 Concorde Career College
About The School
With 17 campuses across 8 states, Concorde employs the best certified instructors and follows a proven curriculum that ensures students will be ready to take on the duties of a medical assistant.
They are accredited by The Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
They offer career counseling as well as a learning resource center to help students succeed.
Course Offering
The medical assistant program at Concorde consists of 330 theory hours, 240 lab hours, and 230 externship hours.
Instruction topics include anatomy and physiology, pathology, body systems, medical terminology, communication skills, vital signs, and basic patient procedures.
Students will also learn about front office procedures, patient scheduling, inputting data into records, corresponding with other doctors and insurance companies, and inventory.
The price of the course is $6,800.
Students are required to have a high school diploma and will need to pass a drug screening and background check for the externship.
Address: 1425 NE Irving St. Portland, OR 97232
3 Portland Community College
About The School
Portland Community College opened in 1961 and is the largest post-secondary school in Oregon.
They are accredited by The Commission on Allied Health Educational Programs.
The college fully commits itself to helping students succeed.
They have a food pantry, community garden, and dining services available for anyone students in need.
They also offer child care, a dental clinic, and will help students find housing.
Course Offering
The medical assistant program takes one year to complete and prepares students for employment as an assistant in a variety of medical settings.
Instruction includes patient prep and care, immunization training, administration procedures, office protocols, coding, anatomy and physiology, infectious diseases and how to manage them, medication management.
Students are also required to complete a clinical practicum.
Prospective students are asked to call the school about available financial aid.
A high school diploma is required to enter the program.
Address: 705 N. Killingsworth Rd Portland, OR 97217
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Carrington College |
|
#2 | Concorde Career College |
|
#3 | Portland Community College |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Medical Assistant
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