Medical Assistant Student Pescadero CA

How to Choose a Medical Assistant Program near Pescadero California

Pescadero CA medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have decided to become a part of the gratifying profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Pescadero CA, it’s time to select a school that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? Many prospective students start by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are closest to their homes and then lean toward those that have the most affordable tuition. While cost and location are very important, such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important issues also. You might choose to take a look at some online medical assistant programs as an option also (more on that later). The bottom line is that prior to selecting a college you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the schools you are evaluating. And to assist you with that process, we have provided a few questions that you need to ask each of the colleges on your “maybe” list. But before we start that review, let’s talk a little bit about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are available.

The Job of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Pescadero CA nursing home patientThe role of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Basically their job is ensure that the Pescadero CA clinics, hospitals and other healthcare institutions where they work run efficiently. Based on the type or size of facility, they can be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are tasked with giving direct assistance to the physicians, nurses and other medical professionals but can also be found working at the front desk or in an office. Some of the many functions of a medical assistant include:

  • Filling out insurance forms and filing claims
  • Setting and verifying appointments
  • Weighing and taking patients vital signs
  • Collecting blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
  • Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
  • Supplying basic support during exams and procedures

While medical assistants may perform almost any activity they are qualified to under California law, some prefer to specialize in a specific area and earn certification. Two of the options available are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Training Courses

In contrast to most other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to have a college degree. However, a number of Pescadero CA health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that are certified. There are generally two options available for a formal education. The first and quickest path to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. These programs usually take about one 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 acquire an Associate Degree, which are usually 2 year programs available at junior and community colleges as well as vocational and technical 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 frequently have a clinical component involving an internship with a local medical practice. Associate Degrees are often a pre-requisite for and credits can be transferred to a four year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.

Medical Assistant Online Courses

woman attending medical assistant school online in Pescadero CAThere are many accredited medical assistant programs accessible online also. They are a good alternative for individuals who may not have the time to go to classes on campus but could work them in if attended at home. This is an especially good option for students who continue working full time while earning their certificate or degree. As an added benefit, many online programs have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on-campus options. Ancillary costs such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies might be lessened also. Just remember that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can typically be performed in Pescadero CA area medical care facilities. If you can learn without the rigid structure of going to supervised classes on-campus, then this approach to getting your training might be the right option for you. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As earlier stated, becoming certified is not a legal mandate, but is an excellent option for those who want to boost their careers. Not only will it help in getting a position after graduation, but it may also enhance preliminary salary negotiations. Many possible Pescadero CA medical employers just will not employ a medical assistant that has not attained accredited formal training or certification. Among the most popular and arguably the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to apply for the CMA exam, an applicant must have graduated or will graduate within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Alternative certifications are available also, such as the CCMA and the CMAA that we discussed earlier which are offered by the NHA.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Pescadero CA medical assistant programsBefore you can start evaluating your medical assistant school options, you need to determine which kind of credential you would like to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on-campus or online from home. After those selections have been made, you can begin the procedure of researching medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many students confine their searches to the schools that are closest to Pescadero CA with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional issues that you must look at when researching schools. To assist you with that process, following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are thinking about before making your final choice.

Is the Medical Assistant School Accredited? There are many good reasons to ensure that the program you select is accredited. First, accreditation helps guarantee that the instruction 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 accepted 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 qualified to take the CMA examination. Additionally, 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 potential Pescadero CA employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

What is the Program’s Passing Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant colleges create their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification exams. To start with, you need to learn which of the certifications the programs you are reviewing are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then obviously you will need to select a program targeting that certification. Next, find out what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. Doing this is one of the means to help evaluate the quality of a college’s program. Of course schools with low rates are those that you will want to eliminate.

Which Programs are Offered? As we previously covered, there are generally two paths to acquiring medical assistant training. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program and receive entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, however the average is about one year. Or you can choose to obtain an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will require about 2 years to finish in a junior college or trade school. Whichever program you elect to enroll in, verify that the schools you are looking at provide the kind of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Available? Many medical assistant colleges sponsor internship programs with Pescadero CA area medical care providers. They are an excellent way to obtain hands-on clinical experience and training. They may also assist students develop relationships within the Pescadero medical community. And as an added perk, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding that very first job can be a challenging task for medical assistant school graduates unless they receive some help from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are researching offer job placement assistance in the Pescadero CA area and find out what their placement rate is. If a program has a high job placement rate for its students, it affirms that it has an excellent reputation within the medical community. It also signifies that it has a broad network of contacts to help place students in jobs.

How Large are the Classes? Class size may 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 prone to furnish greater access to instructors and face to face interaction. If convenient, try to monitor a couple of classes before choosing a program to see what the teaching atmosphere is like and how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you plan on attending a medical assistant program while you continue working full time, it’s important that the school you choose offers classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pescadero CA, make sure that those times are offered. You may be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will also have to schedule all internships or clinical training that might be required. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes that you may have to miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Pescadero California?

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

Pescadero, California

Pescadero is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Mateo County, California two miles (3 km) east of State Route 1 and Pescadero State Beach. The center of town, on Pescadero Creek Road, is located at latitude 37.255 and longitude 122.38028. The town is 14.4 miles (23.2 km) south of Half Moon Bay. The ZIP Code is 94060 and the community is inside area code 650. The population was 643 at the 2010 census.

Pescadero is a farming and ranching community near the Pescadero Marsh, a wildlife refuge. Pescadero Creek, the longest stream in San Mateo County, is an annual creek that empties into the Pacific Ocean near the town.

Pescadero is also a weekend tourist destination during the summer months because of beaches, parks including Memorial Park and Butano State Park, as well as extensive rural roads for biking and trails for hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Attractions include Duarte's Tavern, Pescadero Country Store, Arcangeli Grocery Co (Norm's Market / Bakery), Sante Family Wines, Harley Farms Goat Dairy, and Taqueria y Mercado de Amigos, an acclaimed taqueria in the local gas station.

Choose the Ideal Medical Assistant Training Program Pescadero CA

Pescadero CA medical assistant studentIt’s essential to begin your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant college that will furnish the proper training. Regardless if you’re planning to launch a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your lifetime career, you need to acquire the right info on available programs before making your selection. There are so many colleges offering training these days that you can make a decision based on your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have addressed in this article, make sure that the program you choose is accredited by an acknowledged organization, such as the CAAHEP. This is particularly critical if you plan on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Student. But regardless of the type 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 choosing the best program you can subsequently begin a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Pescadero CA.

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