The Penn Foster Career School offers an online, nine-step course starting at $808. You move on to the next step when you are ready, so completion time varies. The course would prepare you for mostly clerical roles including scheduling appointments and updating patient records. Upon completing the course, you will be eligible to use Penn Foster's job placement program to help with your job search. Enrollment in the Penn Foster course includes all textbooks, equipment and learning aids you will need.
The U.S. Career Institute's program can be completed in as little as four months. The program costs $1,539 and you may choose to pay in monthly installments of as little as $49. This program offers the usual training in clerical work and billing but also promises training in lab work and patient care. This course also allows you to choose your own pace. You will be mailed books, supplies and test materials and will be free to complete them when you wish.
Ed2go.com offers joint programs through many schools including Austin Community College. While the price of the program varies by school, the program should be completed easily within six months. Along with the expected clerical training, this course also includes education on effective communication skills. The price of textbooks is included. The program requires typing experience and a working knowledge of word processing. Viewing the course material will require your computer to have the latest version of Acrobat Reader and a Flash player. Both are available for free download on the Ed2Go website.