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How Long Does It Take To Become A Medical Assistant Ashland ME

How to Select a Medical Assistant Program near Ashland Maine

Ashland ME medical assistant checking pulseOnce you have made a decision to enter the gratifying profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Ashland ME, it’s time to select a college that will provide the right training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently pick the best 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 lowest tuition. While location and cost are extremely important such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are critical issues as well. You may choose to take a look at some online medical assistant programs as an alternative as well (more about that later). The main point is that prior to selecting a college you must carry out your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the schools you are assessing. And to assist you with that task, we have included several questions that you should ask all of the schools on your “maybe” list. But prior to starting that review, let’s talk a little bit about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of credentials and training that are offered.

The Duties of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Ashland ME nursing home patientThe responsibilities of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Primarily their duty is ensure that the Ashland ME clinics, hospitals and other healthcare centers where they work operate efficiently. Based on the type or size 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 physicians, nurses and other health professionals but may also be found performing duties in an office or at the front desk. Some of the potential functions of a medical assistant include:

  • Filling out insurance forms and submitting claims
  • Scheduling and confirming appointments
  • Weighing and taking patients vital signs
  • Collecting blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
  • Preparing instruments and rooms for physicians
  • Supplying general support during exams and procedures

Even though medical assistants can perform almost any task they are authorized to under Maine law, some opt to specialize in a specific area and attain certification. Two of the choices available are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) made available by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Training

In contrast to many other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not required to become certified, licensed, or to have a college degree. However, many Ashland ME health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are generally two choices available for a formal education. The first and shortest route to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a diploma or a certificate. These programs generally take about one year to complete, some as little as six to nine months. They are developed to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to attain an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs available at junior and community colleges together with trade 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 classes. They often have a practical element involving an internship with a local medical practice. Associate Degrees are routinely a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.

Medical Assistant Online Classes

woman attending medical assistant school online in Ashland METhere are a number of accredited medical assistant programs available online also. They are a good alternative for those who may not have time to attend classes on campus but could work them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good choice for students who continue to work full time while earning their certificate or degree. As an extra benefit, a number of online schools have lower tuitions than the more conventional on campus options. Ancillary costs such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies may be reduced also. But remember that any requirements for practical training or internships must still be met, but they can often be completed in Ashland ME area medical facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of going to supervised classes on-campus, then this method of receiving your education may be the right option for you. Between the online classes and the clinical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to work as a medical assistant is furnished.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good option for graduates who want to boost their careers. It will not only help in attaining a job after graduation, but it can also enhance initial salary negotiations. Some potential Ashland ME medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not attained accredited formal training or certification. 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, a candidate must have graduated or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are available also, such as the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.

Points to Ask Medical Assistant Programs

Questions to ask Ashland ME medical assistant programsBefore you can start evaluating your medical assistant school alternatives, you have to determine which kind of credential you want to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online from home. As soon as those decisions have been made, you can begin the procedure of evaluating medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of potential students confine their searches to the schools that are closest to Ashland ME with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional issues that you must explore when researching schools. To assist you with that process, below are some questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are several great reasons to confirm that the program you choose is accredited. First, accreditation helps guarantee that the instruction you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you plan on becoming certified, you need to enroll in an accredited program. Two of the approved agencies 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 allowed to take the CMA exam. Additionally, if you anticipate obtaining a student loan or financial aid, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, a number of prospective Ashland ME employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

What is the Program’s Passage Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools design their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification exams. To start with, you must determine which of the certifications the schools you are considering are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for instance, then of course you will want to select a program focused on that certification. Next, ask what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is just one of the ways to help assess the quality of a college’s program. Naturally programs with lower rates are those that you will want to eliminate.

Which Programs are Available? As we previously covered, there are essentially two paths to getting medical assistant training. You can choose a certificate or diploma program and obtain entry level training in the fastest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, however the average is about 1 year. Or you can elect to obtain an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will take about 2 years to accomplish in a junior college or vocational school. Whatever program you decide to enroll in, make sure that the schools you are looking at provide the type of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Offered? Many medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Ashland ME area health care providers. They are a great means to receive hands-on practical training and experience. They may also help students develop relationships within the Ashland healthcare community. And as an added benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Help Supplied? Getting that first job may be a daunting task for medical assistant school graduates unless they receive some assistance from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are evaluating provide job placement assistance in the Ashland ME area and ask what their placement rate is. If a college has a high job placement rate for its students, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the health care community. It also signifies that it has a large network of employers to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classes? Class size might be an indication of how much personal attention you will get throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to furnish greater access to instructors and face to face interaction. If possible, try to sit in on a few classes before enrolling in a program to witness what the teaching environment is like and just how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you plan on attending a medical assistant program while you continue to work on a full time basis, it’s imperative that the school you enroll in provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Ashland ME, verify that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online school, but you will still need to schedule all clinical training or internships that will be required. Additionally, ask what the policy is for making up classes that you might have to miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Ashland Maine?

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

Ashland, Oregon

Ashland is a city in Jackson County, in the State of Oregon. It lies along Interstate 5 approximately 16 miles (26 km) north of the California border and near the south end of the Rogue Valley. As of 2015, the city's population was approaching 21,000.

The city is the home of Southern Oregon University (SOU) and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). These are important to Ashland's economy, which also depends on restaurants, galleries, and retail stores that cater to tourists. Lithia Park along Ashland Creek, historic buildings, and a paved intercity bike trail provide additional visitor attractions.

Ashland, originally called Ashland Mills, was named after Ashland County, Ohio, the original home of founder Abel Helman, and secondarily for Ashland, Kentucky, where other founders had family connections. Ashland has a mayor-council government assisted by citizen committees. Historically, its liberal politics have differed, often sharply, with much of the rest of southwest Oregon.

Pick the Right Medical Assistant Training Program Ashland ME

Ashland ME medical assistant studentIt’s imperative to start your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant school that will furnish the right training. Regardless if 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 must obtain the appropriate info on available programs before making your selection. There are such a large number of colleges providing training these days that you can make a selection based on your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have addressed in this article, confirm that the program you pick is accredited by an acknowledged organization, for example 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 How Long Does It Take To Become A Medical Assistant. 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 evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the right program you can ultimately start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Ashland ME.

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