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New Concept in Medical Assistant Training
U.S. CAREER INSTITUTE LAUNCHES A 100% ONLINE VERSION OF ITS ‘INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL ASSISTING’ COURSE

Fort Collins – January 30, 2009 – U.S. Career Institute, a nationally accredited distance-education school, announced the rollout of a 100% online version of its DETC-accredited Introduction to Medical Assisting course. Introduction to Medical Assisting students can now choose between the traditional, mail-based version of the course and the online version. The online version allows an accelerated study pace.

“When it comes to job growth, it’s incredible what’s happening in the medical assistant field,” says Ann Rohr, president of U.S. Career Institute (USCI). “The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting that employment of medical assistants will increase 35 percent by the year 2016. We wanted to offer a fast way to train for these jobs. E-learning is the answer.”

After enrolling (which can be done online), Introduction to Medical Assisting students in the e-learning program will receive course materials via the Internet. They will also return completed quizzes electronically. Grades will be posted online. Online students will be able to email an instructor for quick help, or they will be able to contact an instructor by phone, fax or mail. Because they won’t have to wait for postal delivery of course materials or graded quizzes, online students will be able to complete the course in as little as 16 weeks.

USCI launched the traditional, mail-based (correspondence) version of the Introduction to Medical Assisting course in November, 2007. Both the correspondence and online versions use an innovative teaching tool: the Virtual Lab. Each pack of materials includes a Virtual Lab audiovisual CD. Each CD shows medical assistants demonstrating correct procedures for a standard job duty such as taking a patient’s vital signs or setting up a treatment room. “Virtual labs are a breakthrough,” says Ann Rohr. “Medical assisting is a hands-on job. The Virtual Labs help us bring our distance-education students ‘into the classroom’ by providing an audiovisual example of correct procedures.”

Whether they complete the course online or through traditional correspondence, graduates of the Introduction to Medical Assisting course are well-trained to work toward an entry-level position in this fast-growing field. A course completion certificate can help a graduate obtain an administrative post in a healthcare office that can be the first step toward a job as a medical assistant.

Weston Distance Learning, Inc., is the parent company overseeing operations of three distance education schools: At-Home Professions, U.S. Career Institute and McKinley College. The three schools, based in Fort Collins, enroll students throughout the country. Weston courses prepare students to work in more than 20 fields that offer solid job prospects and earning potential. Currently, Weston is launching a new distance-education course every few months. Its state approval is issued by the Colorado Department of Education’s Division of Private Occupational Schools. Each course is accredited through the nationally recognized Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). To learn more about Weston Distance Learning, visit http://www.westondistancelearning.com/.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Ann Rohr, call marketing director Kevin White at (800) 347-7899 or email Kevin at KevinW@westondistancelearning.com.

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