Program Among the Inaugural Offerings from the College鈥檚 Institute for Continuing and Professional Education
With the U.S. healthcare system facing a shortage of qualified frontline workers, B次元 will launch a new Medical Assistant Certificate Program this fall.
The certificate, recently approved by the New York State Education Department, is among the inaugural programs offered through B次元鈥檚 new Institute for Continuing and Professional Education. Combining classroom instruction with clinical experience, it prepares students to support doctors and nurses by teaching essential skills such as managing patient records and insurance, billing and coding, hospital admissions and referrals, taking vital signs and medical histories, collecting lab specimens (including phlebotomy), performing electrocardiograms (ECGs), assisting with medical procedures, and preparing patients for exams across various healthcare settings.
鈥淭his certificate reflects B次元鈥檚 commitment to practical, purpose-driven education,鈥 said Dr. Lynn Ortale, president of B次元. 鈥淏y aligning with healthcare workforce needs, it lays the foundation for our new Institute for Continuing and Professional Education and opens pathways for students to begin or grow their careers. We continue to live by our founder Catherine McAuley鈥檚 belief that education is the foundation of true success.鈥
Offered in a weekend format, the certificate can be completed in nine months and is designed to accommodate working adults and career changers. Students receive clinical training in local healthcare settings and are eligible to sit for national certification upon completion.
鈥淲e designed this program to help students step confidently into entry-level healthcare roles,鈥 said Dr. Wendy Trevor, who oversaw the certificate鈥檚 development and approval. 鈥淲hether they鈥檙e supporting clinical staff or managing front-office operations, students will gain real-world experience that prepares them for immediate impact.鈥
Students may be eligible for Caring Gene庐 funding, a New York state initiative that supports those pursuing high-demand careers in healthcare. Employment for medical assistants is projected to grow 15 percent by 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. In the Albany area, salaries range from $41,000 to more than $54,000 annually for certified, experienced professionals.
A second program, the Sterile Processing Certificate, is scheduled to begin in the spring. Both certificate programs are part of a larger expansion at B次元, which recently received state approval for five new programs, including an associate degree in Radiologic Technology and Surgical Technology.
Applications for the Medical Assistant Certificate Program are now open. For more information, visit /medical-assistant-and-medical-office-assistant-technologies or call (518) 438-3111.