Medical Assistant Schools in Denver
With over 600,000 residents, it’s clear that Denver has a large population that needs health care. Recent changes in the health care field have increased the demand for medical professionals in Colorado. If you want to get started in this growing field, you can look into medical assistant programs in Colorado, with a focus on those in the Denver metro area.
Schools and Jobs in Denver
If you’re looking for medical assistant programs, Denver has lots of options you can consider. These programs are often available at technical colleges, community colleges, and hospital-based schools. You may want to look at which degrees are available at each school and choose one that’s best for your career goals. Common options include diploma programs, certificate programs, and Associate’s degree programs.
Once you graduate, you may benefit from an excellent job outlook in Colorado. O*Net predicts that the demand for medical assistants could grow by 36 percent between 2010 and 2020. You may also be able to earn a competitive salary as an MA in Denver. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the average salary for a medical assistant in Denver is $36,070 per year (2016).
You may find job openings at a variety of medical institutions, from nursing homes to hospitals. Major employers in the Denver area include Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, Concentra, Longmont United Hospital, and Summit Health.
Transportation and Resources in Denver
Earning a degree can be hard work, so it’s important to take advantage of all the resources available to you. There are several scholarships available to Denver students. The Denver Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to Denver students attending two-year and four-year schools. If you plan on working in a rural area after graduation, you can also look into the Marva Jean Jackson Scholarship.
You can also consider joining the Colorado Society of Medical Assistants. This group unites MAs from all over Colorado with networking events, legislative updates, and annual events. The Summer Educational Seminar is held in Denver every year. You can also use their job board to find exclusive job listings.
Using the public transit system in Denver can help you get around the city more quickly. The RTD offers bus and rail service.
Getting a Medical Assistant Degree
Whether you plan on completing a one-year program or a two-year program, medical assistant programs in Colorado tend to cover the same subject areas. You may start with courses like Medical Terminology and Medical Professional Issues; these courses give you a strong basis of medical knowledge and help you prepare for a professional career in medical assisting. In classes like Human Body in Health and Disease and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, you can learn more about how the human body works and how to perform lifesaving CPR.
Later courses focus on advanced medical assisting skills. Pharmacology focuses on medications, how they work, and what they are used for. Phlebotomy can teach you how to safely and effectively draw and store blood.
All of these skills are put to use in your hands-on experience. You may complete an externship at a local hospital or clinic. This allows you to use your new knowledge while working with patients of all different needs and backgrounds.
To learn more about medical assistant schools in Denver, look through the listings on our site, and request program information directly from the schools you are interested in.
Salary numbers provided are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.