Medical Assistant Online School Davenport FL

How to Enroll In a Medical Assistant Training School near Davenport Florida

Davenport FL medical assistant checking pulseOnce you have made a decision to become a part of the gratifying profession of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Davenport FL, it’s time to select a college that will provide the right training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? Most prospective students start by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their homes and then gravitate toward those that have the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are very important, such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important factors also. You might want to research several online medical assistant programs as an option also (more about that later). The main point is that prior to selecting a college you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the colleges you are assessing. And to help you with that process, we have provided some questions that you need to ask all of the schools on your short 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 offered.

The Duties of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Davenport FL nursing home patientThe function of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Essentially their function is to make sure that the Davenport FL hospitals, clinics and other medical care institutions where they work operate successfully. Depending on the type or size of facility, they may be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller facilities both. They are responsible for providing direct support to the physicians, nurses and other medical practitioners but can also be found working at the front desk or in an office. A few of the possible duties of a medical assistant include:

  • Completing insurance forms and filing claims
  • Scheduling and confirming appointments
  • Taking vital signs and weighing patients
  • Taking blood and other fluid and tissue samples
  • Preparing rooms and instruments for doctors
  • Supplying general support during exams and procedures

Even though medical assistants may carry out almost any activity they are authorized to under Florida law, some prefer to specialize in a particular area and attain certification. Two of the options 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

In contrast to most other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to have a college degree. However, many Davenport FL 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 two options offered for a formal education. The first and quickest path to becoming a medical assistant is to obtain a certificate or diploma. These programs typically take about a year to finish, some as little as 6 to 9 months. They are developed to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to earn an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs provided at community and junior colleges as well as technical and vocational schools. They are more comprehensive in nature than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They often have a practical component involving an internship with a local healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are routinely 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 Courses

woman attending medical assistant school online in Davenport FLThere are many accredited medical assistant programs accessible online as well. They are a good alternative for students who may not have time to attend classes on campus but could work them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good option for students who continue to work full time while attaining their degree or certificate. As an additional benefit, many online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more traditional on-campus options. Ancillary expenses such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies might be lessened also. Just remember that any requirements for practical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can often be performed in Davenport FL area healthcare facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of going to supervised classes on-campus, then this approach to receiving your training might be the best option for you. With the online lessons and the practical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As previously mentioned, certification is not a legal requirement, but is a good idea for individuals who wish to boost their careers. Not only will it help in attaining employment after graduation, but it may also help with initial salary negotiations. A number of possible Davenport FL medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not attained 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). In order to apply for the CMA exam, an applicant must be a graduate or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are offered as well, for instance the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.

Topics to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges

Questions to ask Davenport FL medical assistant programsPrior to assessing your medical assistant school options, you must choose which type of credential you want to earn, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online at home. As soon as those decisions have been made, you can begin the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, some students restrict their searches to the schools that are closest to Davenport FL with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are a number of additional issues that you must look at when evaluating programs. To assist you with that process, following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are thinking about before making your final choice.

Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are many good reasons to confirm that the program you select is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps guarantee that the instruction you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you intend to become certified, you need to enroll in an accredited program. Two of the accepted 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 school is not accredited by one of these agencies, you will not be eligible to take the CMA exam. Additionally, if you anticipate obtaining a student loan or financial aid, they are normally not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, as mentioned previously, a number of potential Davenport FL employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.

What is the Program’s Passing Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant schools design their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. To start with, you must find out which of the certifications the programs you are considering are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then of course you will want to choose a program focused on that certification. Next, find out what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. Doing this is one of the methods to help assess the quality of a school’s program. Of course schools with lower rates are those that you will prefer to avoid.

Which Credentials are Available? As we covered earlier, there are basically two paths to getting medical assistant training. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program and get entry level training in the fastest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can opt to acquire an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will take about two years to accomplish in a junior college or vocational school. Whichever program you elect to pursue, confirm that the schools you are considering provide the type of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Available? Numerous medical assistant colleges offer internship programs with Davenport FL area medical care providers. They are an excellent means to get hands-on clinical experience and training. They may also help students build relationships within the Davenport medical community. And as an added perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding that initial job can be a daunting undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they receive some assistance from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are interviewing provide job placement assistance in the Davenport FL area and ask what their placement rate is. If a program has a high job placement rate for its students, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the medical community. It also indicates that it has a wide network of contacts to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classes? Class size may be an indication of how much individual instruction you will get throughout your training. Small 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 possible, try to monitor a few classes before choosing a school to observe what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Practical? If you plan on attending a medical assistant college while you continue working full time, it’s essential that the program you enroll in offers classes that fit your schedule. If you have to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Davenport FL, make sure that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online school, but you will also need to schedule all internships or practical training that will be required. Additionally, find out what the policy is for making up classes that you may have to miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Davenport Florida?

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

Davenport, Florida

Davenport is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,888 at the 2010 census.[6] While the city of Davenport itself is very small, the area north of the city close to Interstate 4 and US 27 is experiencing explosive growth. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. The current interim mayor is H.B. "Rob" Robinson,[7] who was appointed in February 2018 to replace former Mayor Darlene Bradley, who resigned after being arrested in December 2017 on a host of charges including use of a false identity.[8] Per the City Charter, Mayor Robinson will serve until the next regular municipal election in April 2019, when an election will be held to fill the post through the remainder of the term, which ends in 2020.

The settlement in the area now known as Davenport was established in 1838 when the U.S. military set up Fort Davenport during the Second Seminole War, about 12 miles north of the present site of Davenport. The fort was one of a number built at 20 mile intervals along a trail from Fort Brooke to Fort Mellon. The fort only lasted a few years.[9] The fort was named for Colonel William Davenport, who served as the local U.S. commander in the war.[10] There is no known documentary evidence to support an alternative claim that the city was named for a railroad conductor.[10][11]

The modern city of Davenport had its start in the 1880s when the South Florida Railroad was extended to that point.[12] The settlement was first known as Horse Creek, for the creek first recorded on a U.S. Army survey of 1849 which flows past the site to enter Snell Creek and eventually Lake Hatchineha in the Kissimmee River system.[13] A post office was established at Horse Creek in 1884, and the name of the post office was changed to Davenport in 1886.[10][14] Davenport was incorporated in 1915.[1]

Pick the Best Medical Assistant Program Davenport FL

Davenport FL medical assistant studentIt’s essential to start your new career on the right foot by enrolling in a medical assistant school that will provide the proper training. Whether you’re goal is to launch a career in health care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your life long career, you need to obtain the appropriate information on available programs before making your decision. 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 discussed in this article, confirm that the program you decide on is accredited by an acknowledged organization, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you plan on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Online School. But regardless of the type of credential that you plan to earn or if you have decided to attend either an online or on-campus school, be sure to ask the questions we have provided so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the best program you can ultimately begin a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Davenport FL.

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