Are There 4-Week Medical Assistant Programs?

Healthcare occupations are some of the fastest-growing careers, with many different options to fit a variety of interests, life stages, and skills. And if you’re interested in entering the healthcare field as quickly as possible, becoming a medical assistant is a great option.

With some medical assistant programs as short as 4 weeks and no formal degree required, becoming a medical assistant is one of the fastest ways to enter the healthcare field and can earn you an average annual wage of over $42,000, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Are 4-Week Medical Assistant Programs Available?

Four-week medical assistant programs are not typical. The most common pathway to becoming an MA is through in-person or online certified medical assistant programs offered by technical schools and community colleges. However, these programs often last two or three semesters.

If you want to enter a healthcare career in 4 weeks, you may consider pursuing a certified nursing assistant (CNA) license. Select CNA programs last just one month, allowing you to start working quickly. Though similar, CNAs have different duties than MAs. You can weigh the pros and cons of both careers in our medical assistant vs CNA guide.

Becoming a Medical Assistant Through the CMA Exam

It is possible to obtain your medical assistant certification by taking the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam through the AAMA. You’ll just need to have the right qualifications. 

The AAMA has an alternative pathway program that lets people with specific qualifications take the CMA exam. To take the exam, candidates need: 

1. A transcript and signed Attestation Form 

2. To have graduated from an accredited postsecondary medical assisting ​or postsecondary medical assisting apprenticeship program with qualifying criteria, including at least two semesters, 560 academic contact hours, 160-hour practicum or 1,000 hours of practice post-program, and the following courses:

   1. Basic anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, infection control and applied mathematics

   2. Theory and techniques of intramuscular, intradermal, and subcutaneous injection administration

   3. Theory and techniques of phlebotomy

Choosing a Medical Assistant Program

Accreditation is critical when choosing a medical assistant program. You should choose one accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). 

Accreditation also allows students to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants, a credential that many employers prefer when hiring.

You can also search for an accredited medical assistant program through the CAAHEP site.  One medical assistant certificate program, for example, requires three semesters and at least 160 hours of clinical work to obtain certification.

The Top Shortest Medical Assistant Programs

As mentioned earlier, the fastest way to become a CMA is usually through a technical program that grants you a certificate or by taking the certifying exam as a qualifying student. 

Some online programs also appear to offer quick paths to becoming a medical assistant, such as the 5-Day Medical Assistant Workshop and the Pharmacy Tech Fast Track Self Study course but actually require students to already be certified as medical assistants. It’s essential to fully understand what a program requires and includes because, in addition to online coursework, accredited medical assistant programs also mandate that students complete a clinical practicum. 

While we have included some options for medical assistant programs below, you can also search for schools and programs that are local to you. Your local community college is a great place to start. 

 

 

 

What to Expect in a Medical Assistant Program 

A medical assistant program prepares someone to take on a professional role with clinical skills as a medical assistant. 

Typically, medical assistant programs require students to possess a high school diploma or GED. They are available through community colleges, vocational or technical schools, or online platforms. In cases where the program is offered at a community college, graduates will earn an associate degree, whereas other medical assistant programs may grant a certificate or diploma. 

The American Medical Assistant Association (AMAA) explains that medical assistants collaborate with physicians and nurses in outpatient settings like medical offices to provide patient care. The responsibilities of a medical assistant include tasks such as:

• Checking vital signs
• Collecting lab specimens, including phlebotomy
• Preparing patients for physical examinations
• Charting
• Other clinical and administrative duties

The demand for medical assistants is substantial. The BLS estimates that employment of medical assistants will grow by 14% over the next 10 years, faster than the average for other professions.

FAQs About Medical Assistant Programs 

• How long is a medical assistant program?

  • The duration of medical assistant programs can vary widely, spanning from as short as several weeks to as long as two years for programs offering an associate degree.

• What is the shortest medical assistant program?

  • The shortest medical assistant program we located can be completed in 6 weeks, excluding clinical practicum experience. If you have the right qualifications, you can also just take the CMA exam to become certified. 

• Can I complete a medical assistant program in 4 weeks?

  • You are unlikely to find a medical assistant program that can be completed in 4 weeks unless it builds upon another healthcare certification, such as already being a certified nursing assistant.

• What is the difference between a medical assistant and a physician assistant?

  • A medical assistant works under the direct supervision of a physician and performs basic clinical and administrative tasks, such as taking a patient's history or performing an electrocardiogram (EKG). Physician assistants are healthcare practitioners who have a collaborative relationship with a physician and may see patients independently of the physician. They are responsible for examining, diagnosing, and treating patients.