Skip to content

Medical Career Training Programs Near You in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Medical professionals looking at chart
Prism students learn hands-on in a practical learning environment

If you’re searching for healthcare training near you in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, Prism Career Institute offers hands-on, career-focused programs, all designed to help you enter the medical field confidently. Whether you’re a recent high school graduate or a career changer, our campuses in Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill, NJ, and West Atlantic City, NJ, provide accessible pathways to a rewarding education.

Entry-Level Healthcare: What Is the Quickest Medical Career to Start?

At Prism Career Institute, we offer two main healthcare programs: Medical Assistant and Practical Nursing. Both options can prepare you for the healthcare field relatively quickly – and without the need for several years of medical school.

However, you may be wondering which training program is faster to complete. Medical assistant training is often faster and more comprehensive. Our Medical Assistant program can be completed in less than a year, preparing you for both clinical and administrative responsibilities. It takes about 40 weeks to finish, while our Practical Nursing program takes about 70 weeks to complete.

Our Practical Nursing Program

  • Practical Nursing Program

    This program offers the specialized education required for students seeking to pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Upon successful completion of the program and the NCLEX-PN exam, you’ll have the skills and confidence required to enter the workforce as an entry-level practical nurse.

Nurses are an essential part of any medical environment. Practical nurses perform a wide variety of duties that make sure patients get the care they deserve, including clinical, administrative, and laboratory duties. At Prism Career Institute, our practical nursing program is dedicated to providing students with the knowledge and skills they’ll need to excel in this demanding field. Our program helps students gain confidence:

  • Performing clinical tasks: These include administering medications, dressing wounds, taking vitals, taking and updating medical histories, and more.
  • Performing lab services: These responsibilities include administering vaccinations and injections and assisting physicians with blood draws and diagnostic tests.
  • Doing administrative duties: These consist of data entry, billing, admitting patients, and managing insurance forms.
  • Dealing with patients: These involve interacting with patients personally and displaying patience, active listening, and compassion, all of which help patients feel at ease in your care.

Our practical nursing program helps students become eligible to apply for the PA or NJ State Board of Nursing, allowing those who meet the requirements to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). Passing this exam helps you obtain your license and proves to potential employers that you have the training and knowledge required for the job.

This program is offered at our Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill, NJ, campuses. The curriculum can be taken as daytime classes, which take about 63 weeks to complete, or evening/weekend classes, which take about 70 weeks to complete.

Our Medical Assistant Program

  • Medical Assistant Program

    Medical assistants are essential to the healthcare field, and they require a diverse skill set. Our program helps students prepare for a career by providing both clinical and administrative education. An externship is also required, offering a chance to gain hands-on experience prior to graduation.

Medical assistants are another crucial team member in medical settings. These healthcare professionals work in many of the same environments as practical nurses but can also be found in dental clinics, blood banks, and even pharmacies. Like practical nurses, medical assistants are relied upon to handle a range of different responsibilities throughout a given day.

Our medical assistant program will help provide intensive training on both the clinical and administrative sides of the job, including drawing blood, taking vitals, filing out medical records and insurance forms, scheduling appointments, and more. They’ll also learn about sterilizing medical equipment and managing inventory, ensuring that doctors and nurses have what they need to treat patients.

This program covers all of the subjects you’ll need to know, including courses on:

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Phlebotomy
  • Medical law and ethics
  • Clinical procedures

Because medical assistants work closely with both patients and many other healthcare professionals, students will need to hone skills in other areas. That’s why our instructors help them learn infection control procedures, records management, career development skills, and how to communicate in a professional environment.

This program is offered at our West Atlantic City or Cherry Hill, NJ locations or our Philadelphia location. We offer both daytime and evening course schedules, allowing students to choose what works best for their lifestyle. Both schedules run for 40 weeks and provide 720 total curriculum hours, including classroom and online lectures, laboratory training, and externship hours, giving you hands-on, real-life experience that will help build up your resume. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. Prism Career Institute is even willing to cover these exam fees, giving further assistance before students enter the workforce.

Investing in Your Future: How Much Does Medical Career Training Cost?

Medical career training is a valuable investment, and Prism Career Institute is committed to helping students understand and manage the cost of their education. Whether you’re pursuing medical assistant training or a practical nursing program, we offer transparent pricing. Tuition varies depending on the program and campus location, but it includes classroom instruction, hands-on clinical experience, and access to student support services.

We also provide financial aid options for students who qualify. We participate in federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants and student loans. Scholarships and veteran education benefits may also be available depending on your background and qualifications. Our financial aid office and admissions team provide personalized guidance to help you explore funding options.

Comparing Salaries: Who Earns More, a Practical Nurse or a Medical Assistant?

When choosing between a career in medical assisting or practical nursing, salary is often a key consideration. Both roles offer strong earning potential and job stability; however, practical nurses typically earn more due to their expanded clinical responsibilities. They provide more direct patient care and work in more specialized healthcare settings.

However, medical assistants still enjoy competitive wages, especially considering the shorter training period and broader job flexibility across clinics, hospitals, and outpatient centers. The salary for both roles can vary based on geographic location, healthcare facility type, and years of experience.

MA vs. PN: What Is the Difference Between These Two Medical Careers?

Both medical assistants (MAs) and practical nurses (PNs) play essential roles in patient care, but their responsibilities, training, and career paths differ. Understanding these differences (and taking our Prism Healthcare Career Readiness Quiz) can help you choose the healthcare training program that best fits your goals:

Job Duties

Medical assistants are trained to perform both administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, and clinical responsibilities, such as taking vital signs and assisting with exams. Meanwhile, practical nurses focus primarily on direct patient care duties. These include monitoring health conditions, administering medications, and supporting recovery under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians.

Program Duration

Medical assistant programs are typically shorter in duration and can be completed in less than a year, allowing for quicker entry into the workforce. Practical nursing programs require more in-depth clinical training and requirements, and may take longer to complete. However, they often lead to higher earning potential.

Work Settings

Medical assistants often work in outpatient clinics, physician offices, and urgent care centers, while practical nurses are more commonly employed in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Both roles offer opportunities for career advancement, but practical nurses may have more options for specialization and leadership roles within clinical settings. Graduates of Prism Career Institute’s PN program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN).

Find Your Path in Healthcare at Prism Career Institute

If you’re searching for healthcare training near you in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, Prism Career Institute offers practical, hands-on programs that prepare you for a career in the medical field. We offer Medical Assistant and Practical Nursing programs designed to help you enter the workforce as soon as possible.

Our programs are aligned with industry standards to ensure graduates are prepared for real-world healthcare environments. Students also receive hands-on instruction from experienced faculty in modern classrooms and clinical labs. We also offer career services for students. Contact us today to speak with an admissions advisor and take the first step toward a rewarding future in healthcare.

FAQs About Healthcare Training

How much does medical career training typically cost?

The cost of training depends on the program and campus, but financial aid is available to help eligible students manage tuition and fees.

What are the highest-paying entry-level medical jobs?

When it comes to practical nurses and medical assistants, practical nurses generally earn more than MAs because of their expanded clinical responsibilities and scope of practice.

Are online healthcare training programs legitimate?

It depends. Some online medical training programs may be legitimate, but this depends on accreditation. The best training programs will also provide some form of hands-on, in-person training, like externships or simulations, to prepare students for real-world experiences.