Critical skills for these careers include clear communication and the ability to deal effectively and supportively with people who are under stress. Constant program updating and internships keep these programs in close communication with the rapidly changing local industry. Keyboarding 35 to 40 words per minute is required for office-related careers. Financial aid is available through De Anza's Financial Aid Office. A student may train for a position as a medical assistant, medical receptionist, medical secretary, EKG technician, insurance and coding specialist, lab assistant, medical transcription specialist, or phlebotomist.
Work environments tend to be clean, well organized, and pleasant.
Medical assisting requires the ability to walk and stand for long peri-ods. Medical receptionist positions may require long sedentary periods. Both jobs require some bending. Trained medical receptionists will enjoy good employment prospects, particularly those willing to relocate. Rapid growth will result from the increasing number of practicing physicians and the extremely rapid growth in public and private outpatient health-care facilities.