Medical Assisting

Medical Assisting

Get the Skills to Begin a Career as a Medical Assistant in as few as 10 Months

Medical assistants play a vital role in today's healthcare field by helping doctors and staff give the best care possible to the ultimate client: the patient. Training in the Medical Assisting program offered at our campuses across Connecticut and Massachusetts can lead to a career where what you do really matters!

Medical Assisting Infographic

Fast Facts

Hybrid Program – Lecture online, labs on campus
Offered at: Bridgeport CT, Hamden CT, New London CT, Waterbury CT, Brockton MA, Chicopee MA and Worcester MA

  • Graduates earn a diploma
  • Program Length: 10 months

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LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, CREDENTIALS

The sixth module of the program provides credentialing exam review where students will prepare to successfully pass a national exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant or Registered Medical Assistant. The first attempt is covered in the cost of the program.

How/When to Apply

We start new sessions on a regular basis.
Next Start Date: October 23, 2023

At Porter and Chester Institute, we're making it easier than ever for you to enroll using our automated application portal. Upload your documents and start the financial aid process without the hassle of drawn-out application processes. And our admissions staff is still available to help you every step of the way. Taking control of your career just got easier!

Apply Online Now

Delivery of Instruction

Hybrid Standard and Extended On-campus Options Available for Day and Evening

Standard Day - On-campus Lab hours: 9am - 3pm

  • 1-2 Lab sessions per week, based on course needs

Online Learning

  • 3-4 Online (asynchronous) sessions per week, based on course needs

Standard Evening - On-campus Lab hours: 5pm – 9pm

  • 1-2 Lab sessions per week, based on course needs

Online Learning

  • 3-4 Online (asynchronous) sessions per week, based on course needs

Extended On-campus Day - On-campus Lab hours: 9am - 3pm

  • 3-4 Lab sessions per week, based on course needs

Online Learning

  • 1-2 Online (asynchronous) sessions per week, based on course needs

Extended On-campus Evening - On-campus Lab hours: 5pm – 9pm

  • 3-4 Lab sessions per week, based on course needs

Online Learning

  • 1-2 Online sessions per week, based on course needs

 

Student Notification

Retention Outcome Data: Porter and Chester Institute – Hamden campus (PCI) diligently strives to ensure our students have the necessary resources and support throughout and after their education and training to be successful in the workforce. Effective March 2023, after significant evaluation and much discussion with employers regarding our programmatic accreditation of PCI’s Medical Assisting program, PCI has decided to relinquish its accreditation with Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and notified the agency in March 2023. The Medical Assisting program will remain programmatically accredited by ABHES until January 5, 2024. PCI frequently uses retention rates to gage the effectiveness of our education programs. PCI’s retention rate currently is 64% which is below 70% retention rate required; as prescribed by ABHES, our programmatic accreditor for our Medical Assisting program; prompting this program being put on show cause warning status by ABHES.

PCI will continue to provide the Medical Assisting program to all students currently enrolled and expected to graduate by January 5, 2024. These students will graduate from an ABHES accredited program. Students enrolled after March 2023 have been told that the program is no longer programmatically accredited by ABHES moving forward.  

The teach-out date for HA will be 01/05/2024. Any student’s needing to complete failed courses and graduate as ABHES accredited program would need to transfer to WB after the January 2024 date.

Porter and Chester Institute will continue offering a Medical Assisting program at our Hamden Campus. However, it will not be programmatically accreditated by ABHES.

We thank you for your support and your choice to train at PCI and look forward to your continued success upon completion of your program.

PCI-Hamden

Is a Rewarding Medical Career Right for You?

Take the "PCI Medical Career Training Readiness Quiz"

The fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
Get your Medical Career Training Readiness score now!

From Our Blog

MEDICAL ASSISTANTS: LEARN THE RIGHT WAY TO CARE FOR YOUR PATIENTS

Patient care is the most important responsibility you’ll have as a healthcare professional, especially if you’re a Medical Assistant. In that role...

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MEDICAL ASSISTANT INFOGRAPHIC

Check out our infographic to follow the day in the life of a medical assistant, from start to finish, to find out if this career is right for you!

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How Can I Afford It?

Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. Our team of Educational Funding Specialists will work with you to determine what you’re eligible for and how to pay for school.

There are federal, institutional and private programs that can make your career training more affordable, as well as grant and scholarship opportunities that may be available to you.

Financial Aid

Will I Get A Job?

While employment is not guaranteed, our Career Service Advisors are dedicated to helping you find the right job for you! We'll help you with your job search, and also with resume and cover letter writing, and interviewing skills.

Career Services

Why PCI?

If you really like helping others and you want a career that’s in demand, here are just a few reasons you should get your Medical Assisting training at Porter and Chester Institute:

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Patient Care Skills: 
We’ll teach you the clinical skills you need to become an important member of a healthcare team. From taking patient histories and serving as patient-physician liaison to performing actual medical tests like blood draws, lab procedures and EKGs, you’ll learn what you need in order to provide direct patient care.

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Healthcare Administration Skills: 
We’ll teach you the ins-and-outs of today’s busy healthcare settings. At Porter and Chester Institute, you’ll learn to keep electronic medical records, schedule patient appointments and procedures and process insurance claims.

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Hands-on Training: 
In addition to online instruction, you’ll have lots of hands-on training where you’ll be using the same kinds of medical, diagnostic and administrative equipment used in actual hospitals and healthcare facilities. You’ll also participate in an externship where you’ll get real-world experience out in the field.

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Hybrid Learning: 
In an effort to create a more flexible learning environment, certain courses in this program are taught via a combination of distance learning and regular “onsite” instruction. This “hybrid learning” delivery method allows you to learn information online, at your convenience, and then put those corresponding skills into practice on-campus in the lab.
Note: Hybrid learning is not currently implemented at our New London campus.

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Qualified Instructors: 
Our instructors are not only professionals in their field with years of experience; they’re also excellent educators who care about you as a person. They want you to reach your full potential and will do everything they can to help you succeed.

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Job Outlook: 
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for Medical Assistants are expected to grow by 16 percent through 2031. There are plenty of jobs out there and we’ll help you prepare for them! Our Career Services Advisors will work with you until you find the career opportunity that matches your newly acquired skills.

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Soft Skills: 
It’s not just technical skills that get you employed –it’s all those soft skills that today’s employers say they really want to see. At Porter and Chester Institute, we’ll teach you about workplace professionalism and proper patient interaction. We’ll teach you what it means to be a good employee in a real world setting.