Ever since the digitization of education has occurred, pursuing courses of any kind has become a lot easier. If one is considering to pursue a career as a healthcare assistant and enroll in an online course, they have many course options to choose from. However, one must know that not all online healthcare assistant courses are curated equally. Each course has a different curriculum and requirements. So, let’s explore the top online healthcare courses to make an informed decision.

Best courses to consider

• Administrative Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
  This online certificate program is offered at the American National University. The duration of the course lasts for around seven months, or 30 weeks. A major advantage of this program is that the certificate earned is fully transferable to an associate degree course in the same field. This means that after completing this short certificate course, students can easily pursue an associate degree in administrative medical assisting. As of September 2023, the cost of this course was about $14,800.
• Medical Administrative Assistant – Certificate Program
  A certificate course similar to the one mentioned above is also available at Ashworth College, Georgia. Students can complete this course at their own pace. So, if one is looking for a quick online course for healthcare assistance, this could be a suitable choice for them. The curriculum of this program focuses on several important aspects, such as medical documentation and processing insurance claims, among others. The college offers flexible payment options to its students. 
• Medical Assisting Science – Associate Degree Program
  This course is available at Keiser University of Florida and focuses more on the sciences of healthcare assistance. So, the curriculum includes tasks such as performing routine clinical tests and assisting in surgeries. Besides, it also includes lessons on clerical or administrative tasks like billing and insurance claim processing.

Factors to consider before choosing a top healthcare assistance course online
Before applying for an online healthcare assistant course, one must consider a few key factors. These factors can help one understand the different aspects of a course, including its cost, curriculum, and duration. 

Type of course
There are several types of courses that one can find for healthcare assistance programs. These include certification courses, diploma courses, and associate degree programs.

• Certification
  Online certificate courses for healthcare assistance programs are generally the shortest ones. They usually last for three to nine months. They also cost relatively less than diploma and associate degree programs.
• Diploma
  Diploma courses are slightly longer than certificate courses as they have a more detailed curriculum. An online diploma course in health care assistance usually lasts somewhere between six months to a year.
• Associate degree
  Associate degree courses are the lengthiest of the three as they offer the most comprehensive curriculum. Therefore, they hold the highest value when it comes to getting employed. An associate degree course for healthcare assistance may last anywhere between 16 months to 20 months.

The university
Once the type of course is determined, one must choose the right university. Even though the studies are going to be taught online, the choice of university matters in the long run. At the time of recruitment, the employer may consider the reputation of the university from where the course has been passed. Employers also check if the certificate course passed by the applicant has been accredited. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a reputable university with an accredited course. To find the best university, one can visit online forums and check the university rankings for their desired online healthcare assistant course. One can also do a simple online check for “top healthcare assistant course near me.” Moreover, look for alumni feedback/testimonials to get more insights into the university and the course in particular. 

Faculty credentials
When deciding on a course or university, the faculty who will be teaching the course also matters a lot. This is because the faculty members will be responsible for ensuring that the students receive the highest level of education. In addition to teaching, they will also be responsible for setting papers, grading the tests and assignments, and clearing any doubts that students may have. Therefore, when choosing a university for an online course, it is imperative to take a closer look at the faculty members and their credentials.

Convenience
Online courses offer a great deal of convenience, but there are other aspects to consider as well. For instance, if one needs to juggle between work and study, one can benefit from courses that have recorded lectures. Additionally, one must check whether the course provides access to one-to-one discussion sessions with professors. Such individual discussions are crucial for addressing doubts and getting personalized feedback.

Student services
Even when choosing an online course, one must check what student services the university offers. These include access to their online libraries, student organizations, and resource centers, among others. Make sure the university has a career placement option that can help with immediate employment.

Cost
Online courses for healthcare assistance usually cost less than on-campus courses. However, it is best to get complete information on the fees before choosing a course. Each course is curated differently, therefore, the cost may differ from one university to another.