Earn a Medical Assistant proficiency certificate in as little as two semesters and begin a career in a variety of medical settings. You also have the option of continuing your education. Your course credits will count toward an associate degree in Health Care Studies. The Medical Assistant program will provide you with the knowledge to complete a variety of tasks: prepare patients for examinations and assist the physician with examinations and treatments, take patients’ vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure), perform electrocardiography and spirometry testing, instruct patients about medication, administer injections, sterilize instruments and treatment rooms, obtain blood specimens, and perform collection and processing techniques on blood specimens for testing blood sugar, cholesterol and hemoglobin. Skilled and personable medical assistants are in high demand and have many employment opportunities in health clinics, physician practices and other health care environments.