It’s the question on most potential students’ minds. No matter what program they are thinking about enrolling in, they inevitably want to know: How hard are the classes?

This is a particularly common question for programs involving the medical profession. Courses that focus on the human anatomy, diseases and illnesses as well as medical procedures are bound to be tough academically, so the thinking goes.

If you’ve been considering a role as a medical assistant, then this question has probably been top of mind for you, too: Are medical assistant classes hard?

Whether or not a program is difficult depends on the individual. When you are passionate about helping others and are fascinated by the miraculous way the human body sometimes performs, then medical assistant courses don’t seem to be as trying because you are hungry for the learning. But if your family or others around you are encouraging you to take this program when your own passion for it isn’t there, you will probably struggle.

So, what’s the best way to determine if you are going to be able to conquer your classes and take on medical assistant job duties? You need to determine if you have the qualities – and the passion – that will help power you through the coursework.

Here are four factors that will best help you determine if medical assistant is a path right for you:

• The right personality – A medical assisting career is not the right fit for everyone. Those medical assistants who thrive in their coursework and, eventually, in their careers, possess strong communication skills, could be considered dependable, don’t fold under high levels of stress. To succeed in this program, you’ll also need to be empathetic to patients, their families and others you might meet during the course of your internship or externship.
• An eye for detail – As a medical assistant, you’ll be closely involved with many aspects of caring for patients, so paying close attention to detail and following instructions is critical. This also goes for office-related work that might be required at the doctor’s office or clinic or other work location where you might be hired. You’ll need the ability to flawlessly input and update patient information in database systems where this material is stored.
• Becoming certified – Many medical assistants go on to earn their certifications, which require additional learning and meeting eligibility requirements necessary to take the certification examination. This exam tests you for the skills and knowledge you’ll need to serve as a medical assistant. The test is somewhat difficult, but it should be no problem for candidates that study enough to be fully prepared. The medical assistant certification exam includes questions about anatomy and physiology, office management and procedures, bookkeeping, insurance processing, medical procedures, patient examinations, phlebotomy, medical terminology, diagnostic testing, and pharmacology.
• Ready for a fast start – Are you someone who wants to hit the ground running? The path to a medical assistant career can be as short as a year or as long as two years. The length of time it takes depends on how much education you pursue. In less than a year, you could earn a certificate or diploma. However, usually about 18 months to two years is needed to earn an associate’s degree. Either way, you need to be ready to get a fast start on a long-lasting career right after graduation.

Focused on the end goal
No matter how difficult you might find pursuing a medical assistant degree, you should keep your eye on the end goal: patients. Your patients will be looking to you to help them interpret test results and understand their medical procedures to ease their fears. Concentrate on the invaluable role you play, and your passion will help guide you through your program and into your choice of rewarding medical assistant jobs.

If you want to explore career college training, keep moving down the road…