Tag Archives: Top Accredited Medical Assistant Courses Oakdale CA 95361

Certified Medical Assistant Certification Oakdale CA

How to Choose a Medical Assistant Training Program near Oakdale California

Oakdale CA medical assistant checking pulseOnce you have decided to join the rewarding field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Oakdale CA, it’s time to select a college that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately pick the best one? Most potential students start by researching the medical assistant schools that are closest to their homes and then lean toward those that have the lowest tuition. While location and cost are very important, such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important factors as well. You might choose to take a look at several online medical assistant programs as an option also (more about that later). The bottom line is that prior to selecting a program you need to finish your due diligence and compare all relevant aspects of the colleges you are examining. And to assist you with that task, we have furnished several questions that you should ask all of the colleges on your short list. But before we start that review, let’s briefly talk about the function of a medical assistant and the type of training and credentials that are offered.

The Duties of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Oakdale CA nursing home patientThe duties of a medical assistant can be varied as well as demanding. Primarily their function is ensure that the Oakdale CA hospitals, clinics and other healthcare institutions where they work run efficiently. Depending on the size or type of facility, they can be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are responsible for giving direct assistance to the nurses, doctors and other medical professionals but may also be found working at the front desk or in an office. Some of the possible responsibilities of a medical assistant include:

  • Filling out insurance forms and submitting claims
  • Setting and confirming appointments
  • Taking vital signs and weighing patients
  • Collecting blood and other fluid and tissue samples
  • Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
  • Giving general support during exams and procedures

Although medical assistants can carry out almost any duty they are qualified to under California law, some choose to specialize in a particular area and earn certification. Two of the choices offered are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Education

In contrast to many other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become certified, licensed, or to obtain a college degree. However, a number of Oakdale CA health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are essentially two options available for a formal education. The first and shortest way to becoming a medical assistant is to acquire a diploma or a certificate. These programs generally take about a year to complete, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are created to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to obtain an Associate Degree, which are normally two year programs provided at junior and community colleges together with technical and vocational schools. They are more comprehensive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They often have a practical component requiring an internship with a local medical facility. Associate Degrees are commonly a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a four year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a related field.

Medical Assistant Online Colleges

woman attending medical assistant school online in Oakdale CAThere are numerous accredited medical assistant programs offered online also. They are a good alternative for those who may not have time to go to classes on campus but could fit them in if attended at home. This is a particularly good solution for students who continue working full-time while pursuing their certificate or degree. As an extra benefit, a number of online schools have lower tuitions than the more traditional on-campus alternatives. Ancillary costs including those for commuting, textbooks and school supplies may be reduced also. But keep in mind that any requirements for practical training or internships must still be met, but they can often be performed in Oakdale CA area medical care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of attending supervised classes on campus, then this method of receiving your education might be the right choice for you. Between the online classes and the clinical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, certification is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent choice for graduates who want to boost their careers. It will not only help in attaining employment after graduation, but it might also enhance preliminary salary negotiations. A number of potential Oakdale CA medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not received accredited formal training or certification. Among the most popular and possibly the most highly regarded certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to apply for the CMA examination, an applicant must have graduated or will graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are available as well, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we discussed earlier which are offered by the NHA.

Concerns to Ask Medical Assistant Programs

Questions to ask Oakdale CA medical assistant programsBefore you can start examining your medical assistant school alternatives, you need to choose which kind of credential you want to earn, and if you would prefer attending classes on-campus or online at home. After those selections have been made, you can begin the process of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students limit their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Oakdale CA with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are several additional factors that you need to explore when assessing programs. To assist you with that process, following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are thinking about before making your final selection.

Is the Medical Assistant School Accredited? There are many good reasons to ensure that the college you choose is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you plan on becoming certified, you must enroll in an accredited program. Two of the acknowledged agencies for accreditation are the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). If your program is not accredited by either of these organizations, you will not be eligible to take the CMA examination. Additionally, if you plan on applying for a student loan or financial aid, they are often not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as mentioned previously, a number of prospective Oakdale CA employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.

What is the School’s Passage Rate? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools design their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. First, you need to find out which of the certifications the schools you are looking at are preparing their students for. If you are interested in taking the CMA for instance, then naturally you will need to select a program concentrating on that certification. Second, learn what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. Doing this is just one of the ways to help evaluate the quality of a school’s program. Naturally schools with lower rates are ones that you will prefer to eliminate.

Which Programs are Available? As we covered earlier, there are basically two routes to obtaining medical assistant training. You can select a certificate or diploma program and receive entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can choose to earn an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will require about 2 years to accomplish in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you decide to pursue, make certain that the colleges you are considering offer the kind of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Offered? Many medical assistant colleges sponsor internship programs with Oakdale CA area health care providers. They are an excellent method to obtain hands-on clinical experience and training. They can also help students establish relationships within the Oakdale medical community. And as an added perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Service Provided? Landing that initial job can be a daunting undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain some assistance from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are evaluating provide job placement assistance in the Oakdale CA area and find out what their placement rate is. If a college has a high job placement rate for its graduates, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the health care community. It also indicates that it has a wide network of employers to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classes? Class size might be an indication of how much individual instruction you will receive during your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to provide greater access to teachers and face to face interaction. If practical, try to sit in on a few classes before enrolling in a program to see what the teaching atmosphere is like and just how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you plan on attending a medical assistant school while you continue working on a full time basis, it’s essential that the program you select provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Oakdale CA, make sure that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will still have to schedule any internships or clinical training that will be required. Additionally, find out what the policy is for making up classes that you may have to miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Oakdale California?

If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Oakdale CA area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.

Oakdale, California

The city was founded in 1871 when the Stockton and Visalia Railroad met the Copperopolis Railroad. The site of Taylor's Ferry Crossing is located in Oakdale, a crossing of the Stanislaus River on the 19th century Stockton - Los Angeles Road.

Oakdale California was used as a film location for the United Artists motion picture Bound For Glory (1976) starring David Carradine. There is a scene where hoboes were herded off on a westbound train by railroad cops. Oakdale doubled as a dusty 'Texas' town using railroad scenes for the film.

The city is located on the Stanislaus River in the east-central portion of the San Joaquin Valley, adjacent to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. California State Routes 108 and 120 (Tioga Pass Road) intersect in the city.

Select the Ideal Medical Assistant Course Oakdale CA

Oakdale CA medical assistant studentIt’s important to start your new career on the right foot by enrolling in a medical assistant college that will furnish the right training. Whether you’re objective is to begin a career in healthcare starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you need to obtain the appropriate information on available programs before making your selection. There are such a large number of colleges offering training these days that you can make a selection based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have addressed in this article, make sure that the program you decide on is accredited by a recognized organization, for example the CAAHEP. This is particularly important if you intend on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Certified Medical Assistant Certification. But irrespective of the kind of credential that you plan to earn or if you have decided to attend either an on-campus or online school, be sure to ask the questions we have provided in order to evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the best program you can subsequently start a gratifying career as a medical assistant in Oakdale CA.

More Medical Locations in California

  • Medical Assistant Certification Requirements Big sur CA
  • How Long Are Medical Assistant Courses Santa Ana CA
  • Certified Medical Assistant Training Santa Cruz CA
  • Best School For Medical Assistant Esparto CA
  • National Registered Certified Medical Assistant Burrel CA
  • Certified Medical Assistant Schools Big Oak Flat CA
  • What Can A Medical Assistant Do Laguna Beach CA
  • Medical Assistant Certification Programs Near Me West Sacramento CA
  • How Long Is Medical Assistant School Dos Palos CA
  • Medical Assistant Colleges San Gabriel CA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 102

    Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts - Modesto
    15 Reviews
    Colleges & Universities, Adult Education, Nursing Schools
    Phone:
    4712 Stoddard Rd, Ste 200, Modesto, CA 95356

    Pont Jon MD
    6 Reviews
    Obstetricians & Gynecologists
    Phone:
    600 Coffee Rd, Modesto, CA 95355

    SJVC Modesto
    5 Reviews
    Colleges & Universities
    Phone:
    5380 Pirrone Rd, Salida, CA 95368

    Lisa Gil, MD
    5 Reviews
    Family Practice
    Phone:
    1317 Oakdale Rd, Ste 440, Family First Medical Care, Modesto, CA 95355

    Brightwood College
    5 Reviews
    Colleges & Universities
    Phone:
    5172 Kiernan Ct, Salida, CA 95368

    Kiona's Farm'acy
    5 Reviews
    Medical Centers, Naturopathic/Holistic
    Phone:
    7450 River Rd, Oakdale, CA 95361

    Baz Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center
    10 Reviews
    Allergists, Medical Centers
    Phone:
    1923 Coffee Rd, Ste 12, Modesto, CA 95355

    Cornerstone Family Practice Medical Group
    10 Reviews
    Family Practice
    Phone:
    1444 Florida Ave, Ste 202, Modesto, CA 95350

    Modesto Urgent Care
    37 Reviews
    Urgent Care
    Phone:
    3440 McHenry Ave, Ste D6, Modesto, CA 95350

    Institute of Technology
    16 Reviews
    Adult Education, Vocational & Technical School
    Phone:
    5601 Stoddard Rd, Modesto, CA 95356