Yes, there are many medical assistant educational programs available through distance learning. All of the schools on our list of most affordable online associate programs, for example, enable students to take their general education and major-specific courses through online learning management systems. You'll find both administrative and clinical courses in these programs.
The administrative courses will teach you how to keep records, use the medical billing and coding system, transcribe patient records, and perform other clerical tasks in a medical setting. In the clinical courses, you'll learn how to work with patients by checking their vital signs, administering medications, and drawing blood. Programs may also include coursework in psychology, communications, and basic computer technology.
Some online programs may require you to complete an internship or practicum, which will give you valuable hands-on experience working with patients and other medical professionals. An advisor or coordinator at your school should be able to help you set up an appropriate learning situation at a health care facility near you.
In some cases, you may also be able to take your certification exam online. For example, an exam proctoring service called Prometric administers the 200-question Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification Exam in four 40-minute sessions.