Tag Archives: Top Accredited Medical Assistant Programs Nerinx KY 40049

Medical Assistant Education Needed Nerinx KY

How to Select a Medical Assistant School Program near Nerinx Kentucky

Nerinx KY medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have decided to enter the rewarding field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Nerinx KY, it’s time to choose a school that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? Many potential students begin by researching the medical assistant schools that are closest to their homes and then lean toward those that have the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are very important, such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important factors as well. You might want to look into a few online medical assistant programs as an option as well (more about that later). The bottom line is that before you select a college you must finish your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the colleges you are reviewing. And to help you with that task, we have provided several questions that you need to ask all of the colleges on your “maybe” list. But prior to starting that review, let’s briefly talk about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are available.

The Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Nerinx KY nursing home patientThe job of a medical assistant can be varied as well as challenging. Primarily their role is to make sure that the Nerinx KY clinics, hospitals and other medical care facilities where they work run efficiently. Based on the size or type of facility, they can be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are responsible for giving direct support to the nurses, doctors and other medical practitioners but can also be found performing duties in an office or at the front desk. Some of the possible duties of a medical assistant include:

  • Completing insurance forms and submitting claims
  • Scheduling and confirming appointments
  • Weighing and taking patients vital signs
  • Taking blood and other tissue and fluid samples
  • Preparing instruments and rooms for doctors
  • Giving basic support during exams and procedures

Although medical assistants may carry out almost any task they are authorized to under Kentucky law, some prefer to specialize in a particular area and obtain certification. Two of the choices available are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Courses

Unlike many other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not mandated to become certified, licensed, or to have a college degree. However, many Nerinx KY health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that are certified. There are generally two choices available for a formal education. The first and quickest way to becoming a medical assistant is to earn a diploma or a certificate. These programs normally take about a year to complete, some as little as six to nine months. They are designed 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 typically two year programs offered at junior and community colleges as well as trade and vocational schools. They are more extensive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They frequently have a clinical component requiring an internship with a local medical practice. Associate Degrees are commonly a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a related field.

Medical Assistant Online Programs

woman attending medical assistant school online in Nerinx KYThere are many accredited medical assistant programs accessible online as well. They are an excellent choice for students who may not have the time to attend classes on campus but could work them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good solution for students who continue to work full time while attaining their degree or certificate. As an added benefit, some online programs have lower tuitions than the more conventional on-campus options. Ancillary expenses such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies may be lessened also. But keep in mind that any requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can typically be carried out in Nerinx KY area medical facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of going to supervised classes on campus, then this mode of getting your education might be the best option for you. With the online lessons and the clinical training, everything necessary to attain proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As earlier stated, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent option for graduates who want to advance their careers. Not only will it help in attaining a job after graduation, but it might also enhance initial salary negotiations. A number of potential Nerinx KY medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not obtained certification or accredited formal training. 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 sit for the CMA examination, an applicant must be a graduate or will be graduating within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Alternative certifications are available also, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges

Questions to ask Nerinx KY medical assistant programsBefore you can start evaluating your medical assistant school options, you need to determine which kind of credential you would like to earn, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online from home. After those decisions have been made, you can start the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many prospective students restrict their searches to the schools that are nearest to Nerinx KY with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are several additional issues that you must look at when evaluating programs. To assist you with that task, below are some questions that you should ask about each of the programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are several good reasons to ensure that the school you enroll in is accredited. To begin with, accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you intend to become certified, you need to complete an accredited program. Two of the acknowledged organizations for accreditation are the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). If your program is not accredited by either of these agencies, you will not be eligible to take the CMA exam. Also, if you intend on obtaining a student loan or financial assistance, they are often not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as mentioned previously, a number of prospective Nerinx KY employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.

What is the Program’s Passing Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant schools create their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification exams. To start with, you must learn which of the certifications the programs you are considering are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then naturally you will want to select a program focused on that certification. Second, learn what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and compare 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 those that you will want to avoid.

Which Credentials are Offered? As we previously covered, there are generally two routes to acquiring medical assistant training. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program and get entry level training in the shortest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can decide to earn an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will require approximately two years to accomplish in a junior college or trade school. Whatever program you decide to enroll in, make sure that the colleges you are reviewing offer the kind of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Offered? Numerous medical assistant programs sponsor internship programs with Nerinx KY area healthcare providers. They are a great way to receive hands-on practical training and experience. They may also assist students establish relationships within the Nerinx health care community. And as an additional perk, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding that first job can be a daunting undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they receive a little help from a job placement program. Verify that the schools you are researching offer job placement assistance in the Nerinx KY area and ask what their placement rate is. If a program has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the medical community. It also signifies that it has a wide network of employers to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classes? Class size may be an indication of how much personal instruction you will receive throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to furnish increased access to teachers and face to face interaction. If convenient, try to sit in on a couple of classes before choosing a school to witness what the teaching environment is like and just how much attention the students receive.

Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant school while you continue working full-time, it’s imperative that the college you enroll in provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Nerinx KY, verify that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will also 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 might have to miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Nerinx Kentucky?

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

Lebanon, Kentucky

Lebanon is a home rule-class city[2] in Marion County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 6,331 at the 2010 census. It is the seat of its county.[3] Lebanon is located in central Kentucky, southeast of Louisville. A national cemetery is located nearby.

Lebanon is renowned for its Ham Days Festival and Tractor Show which is held during the last weekend of September. In the 1960s and early 1970s, it was known as an entertainment hotspot, as nationally known acts appeared at Club 68 and the Golden Horseshoe nightclubs.

Lebanon is located at 37°34′14″N 85°15′23″W / 37.57056°N 85.25639°W / 37.57056; -85.25639 (37.570623, -85.256263).[4] It is approximately 30 miles (48 km) from Danville and 20 miles (32 km) north of Campbellsville. It is located at the junction of US 68 and Ky. 55, Ky. 52, and Ky. 49. Ky. 84 intersects Ky. 49 and 52 just west of town.

Choose the Best Medical Assistant School Nerinx KY

Nerinx KY medical assistant studentIt’s imperative to start your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant college that will provide the appropriate training. Whether you’re goal is to begin a career in health care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you need to get the appropriate info on available programs prior to making your selection. There are so many colleges offering training nowadays that you can make a selection based on 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, such as the CAAHEP. This is particularly important if you anticipate taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Education Needed. But regardless of the kind of credential that you intend to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an on-campus or online school, be sure to ask the questions we have provided in order to compare programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the best program you can subsequently start a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Nerinx KY.

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