Medical assistant (Medizinische/r Fachangestellte/r)
You welcome patients, assist the doctor during examinations and run the practice: a paid 3-year training in the healthcare sector.
What a medical assistant does
Medical assistants help the doctor with examinations and treatment, prepare injections, take blood, receive patients, organise appointments and handle documentation and billing.
Assist
Help the doctor with ECGs, X-rays and endoscopies, apply dressings, take blood samples.
Welcome
Receive and reassure patients, give appointments, organise how consultations run.
Document and bill
Keep patient records, itemise services and advise on prevention and follow-up care.
This occupation is for you if…
- you are careful and responsible with medicines and hygiene
- you listen well and are empathetic with patients
- you can keep medical information confidential
- you enjoy care, reception work and organisation alike
Less suitable if…
- you cannot cope with close contact with sick people
- you are very sensitive to the sight of blood or needles
- you refuse any on-call duty or varying hours
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Assisting examinationsTaking bloodHygiene and disinfectionLaboratory workPractice organisationMedical recordsBilling of treatmentsPersonal qualities
EmpathyDiscretionRigourEmotional stabilityTeamworkHow the Ausbildung works
In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.
The basics
- Hygiene and prevention
- Reception and organisation
- Employment law, safety
Patient care
- Assisting examinations
- Intermediate exam
- Data protection
Consolidation
- Assisting treatments
- Billing and laboratory
- Final exam
Exams and qualification
A written intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place before the end of the second year: hygiene, infection protection, administration, data protection, preparing examinations. The final exam has a practical part, with a professional discussion, and a written part: treatment assistance, organisation, economics. Qualification issued through the competent professional chamber.
You are paid during the training
Gross monthly pay during the training. These amounts are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.
What you need to apply
Education level
German level
Physical fitness
Documents to prepare
- CV and cover letter in German
- Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
- German B2 level certificate
Advantages and difficulties
Advantages
- Paid training from the first year
- Useful work in direct contact with patients
- Jobs in practices, hospitals or laboratories
- Next steps: health management or studies
Difficulties
- Close contact with sick people, infection risk
- Medical certificate and vaccination proof required
- Exposure to difficult situations
- On-call duty possible depending on workplace
Where it can lead
Qualified medical assistant
Jobs in doctors' practices, hospitals, laboratories or occupational health services.
Adaptation courses
Update your skills, from medical assistance to hygiene in healthcare settings.
Management or studies
Take a health-management qualification, or study medicine with a baccalaureate.
Other trainings: Health and well-being
Not quite convinced by this occupation? Here are related trainings in the same field.
We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany
Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.
Take the test online or at the office
The eligibility test is done online on our website, or by visiting our Douala office directly.
Take the testTalk to our team
Germany: +49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon: +237 622 20 81 64
DZK, our language centre
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK) is our own language centre in Douala. Outside Douala: partner language centres, call us to find the nearest one.
AZUFA is always us
AZUFA is our platform: it connects you with German companies that recruit apprentices and follows your application through to the training contract.
Go to AZUFAFrom German A1 to the first day of training in Germany
Each step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
- 1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
- 2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
- 3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK
- 4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
- 5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA
- 6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
- 7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
- 8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Stay informed
Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.
Our structures for this occupation
Our platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
Training offers for this occupation
No offer is open here at the moment. Browse apprenticeship offers on AZUFA, or receive an e-mail as soon as a partner company recruits.
See offers on AZUFA →Take this sheet with you
A 5-page document to read offline or show your family: the occupation, the training, the pay and the whole pathway, from German A1 to the first day of training.
Download the brochure (PDF)You may be wondering…
What German level is required?
How long does the training last?
Am I paid during the training?
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Where can I learn German?
What health documents must I provide?
Do I need a specific school certificate?
Ready to find out whether this occupation is for you?
Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.