A Career Path that Fits Your Life

Online-first with the confidence that comes with hands-on training

Pulse is a 16-week medical assistant program built around your busy life. It combines online instruction, self-study, in-person lab days, and a real-world externship to get you career-ready. You’ll engage with expert instructors for online learning and hands-on training so you can be confident from Day 1 of your new career.

  • Weekly online sessions led by expert instructors
  • Monthly in-person labs for hands-on training
  • Online self-study
  • 80 hrs of externship at a live medical office
Medical assistants in scrubs
Medical assistant externship training

Externship

Your 80-hour externship is your opportunity to gain real-world experience under the guidance of local healthcare professionals. It’s where you’ll apply your skills in a live medical setting, build confidence with patients, and make connections that can launch your career.

But at Pulse, your preparation doesn’t start there: it starts before your externship. You’ll receive extensive, hands-on training in our live labs before ever stepping into a clinic. That means you’ll walk into your externship already familiar with the tools, procedures, and pace of a medical office.

Why is that so important? Many online-only programs rely on externships to provide “experience,” but those happen after students finish their coursework. With no prior hands-on practice, students often enter externships unprepared, lack confidence, and require more time to train, which can cost them valuable job opportunities. Since externships often lead directly to full-time employment, performance matters. Pulse students stand out because they arrive ready to contribute from day one confident, capable, and more likely to turn their externship into a lasting career.

Certification

Upon successful completion, you’ll be prepared to sit for the nationally-recognized certification exam through National Healthcare Association (NHA) and earn your CCMA credential. Graduating students also receive a certificate of completion showing they went through our training program and their BLS (CPR) card.

Medical assistant students in training
Medical assistant wearing a stethoscope
4-MONTH PROGRAM

Month 1

Online Focus

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    Introduction to Medical Assisting:

    Focus on the roles and responsibilities of a medical assistant in various healthcare settings.

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    Infection Control:

    Learn OSHA standards, proper hand hygiene, and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols to maintain a safe clinical environment.

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    Patient Intake & Documentation:

    Review clinical documentation procedures, including accurate patient intake, charting, and recordkeeping practices.

Lab Focus

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    Understand the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS) procedures for emergency situations.

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    Learn proper selection, application, and removal of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent contamination.

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    Gain foundational phlebotomy knowledge in fields like blood collection, safety protocols, and specimen handling.

Month 2

Online Focus

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    Anatomy & Neurology:

    Learn the structure and function of body systems with a focus on the nervous system and its role in patient care.

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    Pediatric Growth:

    Understand key developmental milestones and how to assess growth patterns in pediatric patients.

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    Patient Scheduling:

    Explore best practices for managing appointments, follow-ups, and workflow efficiency in a clinical setting.

Lab Focus

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    Learn how to perform basic vision screening tests and support patient eye health assessments.

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    Understand how to accurately measure and record vital signs for infants and children.

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    Gain skills in safely performing ear irrigation procedures to remove blockages under clinical supervision.

Month 3

Online Focus

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    Pharmacology:

    Study common medications, dosage calculations, and safe administration practices in clinical settings.

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    Blood Analysis:

    Learn the basics of analyzing blood samples, including interpreting common lab results and understanding their clinical relevance.

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    Endocrine & Urinary Systems:

    Explore the structure, function, and common disorders of the endocrine and urinary systems.

Lab Focus

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    Learn how to collect, test, and interpret urine samples to support diagnostic procedures.

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    Understand how to perform and interpret rapid tests for influenza and streptococcal infections.

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    Gain foundational knowledge of electrocardiograms, including lead placement and basic rhythm interpretation.

Month 4

Online Focus

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    Microbiology:

    Study microorganisms relevant to human health and their role in infection, diagnosis, and treatment.

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    Billing & Coding:

    Learn the basics of healthcare reimbursement, including insurance claims, coding systems, and documentation accuracy.

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    Cardiopulmonary & Emergency Procedures:

    Understand emergency response techniques and procedures for managing respiratory and cardiac events in clinical settings.

Lab Focus

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    Learn how to clean, dress, and manage wounds while preventing infection and promoting healing.

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    Understand the proper setup, administration, and patient education for nebulizer treatments.

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    Review key concepts and practice test strategies to prepare confidently for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam.

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Medical assistant job placement assistance

Career-Ready Support

We know that completing Pulse is just the start of your journey, so we’re here to support you for your next steps to help your successful transition into the medical field:

Interview Prep

Confidently step into a medical assistant interview thanks to our preparation, which covers a wide range of job roles. We’ll provide common interview questions and other tools to ensure you’re a standout candidate.

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Resume Review

You’ll learn and do a lot throughout the Pulse program, so we’ll help make sure it’s reflected on your resume. Our experienced team offers personalized resume reviews, with feedback and suggestions to ensure you catch the attention of potential employers!

Partner Network

Leverage our network of partners and job opportunities to get your foot in the door at an office near you and start living your career dream faster.

Medical assistant with tablet

We're committed to empowering you to reach your career goals, and our team will provide the support and resources you need in a competitive job market to unlock your future!

Program Requirements

To enroll in this program, you must provide:

Frequently Asked Questions

A medical assistant school is a training program that prepares students to work in clinical and administrative roles in healthcare settings. These schools teach essential skills like taking vital signs, drawing blood, assisting with exams, and managing medical records. Graduates are eligible to sit for certification exams and pursue entry-level positions in hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices.

To become a medical assistant, you can enroll in a medical assistant school that offers hands-on training in both clinical and administrative skills. Many programs, like the one at Pulse, can be completed in only a few months. After graduating, you’ll be ready to pursue certification and start working in a variety of healthcare settings.

Medical assistant school typically lasts about four months at Pulse. During that time, students learn key skills such as infection control, medical anatomy, patient history documentation, measuring vital signs, and conducting vision and hearing tests. The program is designed to prepare you quickly and thoroughly for entry-level roles in healthcare.

Pulse Medical Assistant School offers several payment options:

  • Option 1:

    Pay in Full $2,990

  • Option 2:

    $1,490 deposit & 16 consecutive weekly auto-drafted payments of $112.50. The total of payments will be $3,290, which includes a $300 payment plan fee.

  • Option 3:

    $490 deposit & 16 consecutive weekly auto-drafted payments of $175.00. The total of payments will be $3,290, which includes a $300 payment plan fee.

Pulse Medical Assistant School also offers personalized payment plans to meet your individual needs.

Yes, Pulse Medical Assistant School offers a refund policy. Students who cancel within 72 hours of signing the enrollment contract are eligible for a full refund. Those who cancel within the first three scheduled class days may also receive a full refund, minus up to $100 in administrative fees and any separately listed expenses.

Pulse Medical Assistant School does not guarantee job placement. However, we support students with job placement by actively maintaining an employer network and regularly sharing employment opportunities. Career assistance is available both during the program and after graduation, ensuring ongoing support. Students also receive guidance in job readiness, including interview preparation and strategies for effective job searching.

A medical assistant supports doctors and nurses by handling both clinical and administrative tasks in healthcare settings. They may take vital signs, assist with exams, update patient records, and schedule appointments. Their role helps keep medical offices running smoothly and ensures patients receive quality care.

A medical assistant needs a mix of clinical, administrative, and interpersonal skills to succeed. Key skills include taking vital signs, performing basic lab tests, administering injections, documenting patient histories, and managing medical records. They also need strong communication, attention to detail, organization, and knowledge of medical terminology and infection control procedures.

In the United States, the median annual salary for medical assistants is approximately $44,200. Entry-level positions typically start around $35,000, while the top 10% of earners can make over $57,000 per year. Salary can vary depending on experience, certification, location, and the type of healthcare facility.

No, you don’t need prior healthcare experience to enroll at Pulse Medical Assistant School. Our program is designed to start from the fundamentals and build your clinical and administrative skills from the ground up. We provide everything you need — including hands-on training — so you can confidently enter the healthcare field.

Since Pulse is an online-first program, you will need to have reliable internet access as well as a computer that can run video streaming platforms (like Zoom) for online classes, and an internet browser that can access our web-based LMS and other online resources.