Tag Archives: Top Accredited Medical Assistant Programs Kenduskeag ME 04450

Medical Assistant Programs Near Me Kenduskeag ME

How to Pick a Medical Assistant Training School near Kenduskeag Maine

Kenduskeag ME medical assistant checking pulseOnce you have decided to become a part of the rewarding field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Kenduskeag ME, it’s time to choose a school that will furnish the proper training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently pick the best one? Many potential students begin by researching the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then gravitate toward those that have the lowest tuition. While cost and location are very important, such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are critical issues also. You might want to take a look at some online medical assistant programs as an option also (more about that later). The bottom line is that before you select a program you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the colleges you are evaluating. And to assist you with that task, we have included some questions that you should ask all of the schools on your short list. But prior to starting that review, let’s briefly talk about the function of a medical assistant and the kind of credentials and training that are available.

The Role of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Kenduskeag ME nursing home patientThe responsibilities of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Basically their duty is ensure that the Kenduskeag ME clinics, hospitals and other medical care facilities where they work run successfully. Depending on the size or type of facility, they may be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller facilities both. They are tasked with giving direct support to the nurses, doctors and other health professionals but may also be found working at the front desk or in an office. Some of the potential functions of a medical assistant include:

  • Completing insurance forms and filing claims
  • Setting and verifying appointments
  • Taking vital signs and weighing patients
  • Taking blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
  • Preparing instruments and rooms for doctors
  • Supplying basic support during examinations and procedures

Although medical assistants may perform almost any activity they are authorized to under Maine law, some prefer to specialize in a specific area and obtain 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 Programs

In contrast to many other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not mandated to become certified, licensed, or to obtain a college degree. However, a number of Kenduskeag ME health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are generally 2 choices offered for a formal education. The first and shortest path to becoming a medical assistant is to earn a certificate or diploma. These programs usually take about 1 year to complete, some as little as six to nine months. They are developed to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to obtain an Associate Degree, which are usually 2 year programs provided at community and junior colleges as well as vocational and technical schools. They are more expansive in design than the certificate or diploma programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They often have a clinical component involving an internship with a local medical practice. Associate Degrees are routinely a pre-requisite for and credits can be transferred to a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.

Medical Assistant Online Colleges

woman attending medical assistant school online in Kenduskeag METhere are many accredited medical assistant programs accessible online too. They are a good alternative for individuals who might not have the time to go to classes on campus but could work them in if attended at home. This is a particularly good solution for students who continue to work full time while earning their degree or certificate. As an added benefit, many online programs have cheaper tuitions than the more traditional on campus alternatives. Supplemental costs such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies can be lessened as well. Just remember that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can usually be performed in Kenduskeag ME area healthcare facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of participating in supervised classes on campus, then this mode of getting your education may be the best choice for you. With the online lessons and the practical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good idea for individuals who wish to boost their careers. Not only will it help in securing a position after graduation, but it might also help with preliminary salary negotiations. A number of potential Kenduskeag ME medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not received certification or accredited formal training. One of the most popular and arguably the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to take the CMA examination, a candidate must be a graduate or will graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are available as well, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we discussed earlier which are offered by the NHA.

Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Kenduskeag ME medical assistant programsPrior to examining your medical assistant school options, you have to choose which kind of credential you would like to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online at home. As soon as those decisions have been made, you can begin the procedure of researching medical assistant schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, some students limit their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Kenduskeag ME with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional issues that you must explore when researching programs. To assist you with that task, below are some questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are many great reasons to make sure that the college you enroll in is accredited. First, accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you intend to become certified, you must complete an accredited program. Two of the approved 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 school is not accredited by one of these organizations, you will not be eligible to take the CMA exam. Also, if you anticipate applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, as mentioned previously, many prospective Kenduskeag ME employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

What is the School’s Passage Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant colleges create their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification exams. First, you need to learn 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 obviously you will want to select a program concentrating on that certification. Second, ask what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. Doing this is one of the methods to help evaluate the quality of a school’s program. Of course schools with low rates are ones that you will prefer to eliminate.

Which Credentials are Offered? As we previously covered, there are essentially two paths to acquiring medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and obtain entry level training in the fastest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, however the average is closer to 1 year. Or you can choose to earn an Associate Degree and receive a broader education that will take approximately 2 years to accomplish in a community college or vocational school. Whatever program you elect to enroll in, make sure that the colleges you are considering offer the kind of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Provided? Numerous medical assistant colleges offer internship programs with Kenduskeag ME area medical providers. They are a great method to get hands-on practical experience and training. They may also assist students develop relationships within the Kenduskeag healthcare community. And as an additional benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews as well.

Is Job Placement Service Provided? Landing that first job can be a daunting task for graduating medical assistant students unless they have a little help from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are interviewing offer job placement assistance in the Kenduskeag ME area and find out what their placement rate is. If a college has a higher job placement rate for its students, it indicates that it has an excellent reputation within the healthcare community. It also suggests that it has a large network of contacts to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classes? Class size may be an indicator of how much personal instruction you will receive throughout your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to provide increased access to teachers and face to face interaction. If possible, try to attend a few classes before enrolling in a school to experience what the teaching atmosphere is like and how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant school while you continue working on a full time basis, it’s imperative that the program you choose offers classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Kenduskeag ME, verify that those times are available. You may be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online program, but you will still need to schedule any internships or clinical training that might be required. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Kenduskeag Maine?

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

Kenduskeag, Maine

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,348 people, 562 households, and 373 families residing in the town. The population density was 80.5 inhabitants per square mile (31.1/km2). There were 600 housing units at an average density of 35.8 per square mile (13.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.1% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 562 households of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the town was 39.6 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.8% were from 25 to 44; 30.6% were from 45 to 64; and 10.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

Select the Right Medical Assistant College Kenduskeag ME

Kenduskeag ME medical assistant studentIt’s important to begin your new career on the right foot by picking a medical assistant program that will provide the appropriate 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 must obtain the right info on available programs prior to making your decision. There are such a large number of colleges offering training nowadays that you can make a decision based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have discussed in this article, confirm that the program you decide on is accredited by a recognized agency, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you anticipate taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Programs Near Me. But regardless of the kind of credential that you intend to earn or if you have decided to attend either an online or on-campus school, don’t forget to ask the questions we have provided in order to compare programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the right program you can ultimately start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Kenduskeag ME.

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