Quick Medical Assistant Programs Hiram ME

How to Pick a Medical Assistant Program near Hiram Maine

Hiram ME medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have made a decision to join the rewarding profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Hiram ME, it’s time to choose a school that will provide the proper training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? Most prospective students begin by researching the medical assistant schools that are nearest 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 important factors also. You may want to look into a few 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 qualifications of the colleges you are examining. And to help you with that process, we have included some questions that you need to ask each of the schools on your short list. But prior to starting that review, let’s talk a little bit about the responsibilities of a medical assistant and the kind of credentials and training that are offered.

The Job of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Hiram ME nursing home patientThe responsibilities of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Essentially their job is ensure that the Hiram ME clinics, hospitals and other medical care centers where they work run efficiently. Depending on the type or size of facility, they may be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are responsible for providing direct assistance to the physicians, nurses and other medical professionals but can also be found working in an office or at the front desk. Some of the possible functions of a medical assistant include:

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

Although medical assistants may perform almost any task they are qualified to under Maine law, some elect to specialize in a particular 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 Training Programs

In contrast to many other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become certified, licensed, or to earn a college degree. However, a number of Hiram ME health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are basically 2 options available for a formal education. The first and fastest path to becoming a medical assistant is to obtain a diploma or a certificate. These programs typically take about one year to complete, a few as little as six to nine months. They are created to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to obtain an Associate Degree, which are usually 2 year programs offered at community and junior colleges together with trade and vocational schools. They are more comprehensive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant training. They usually have a practical element involving an internship with a local medical practice. Associate Degrees are commonly 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 Programs

woman attending medical assistant school online in Hiram METhere are numerous accredited medical assistant programs offered online also. They are a good alternative for those who might not have time to go to classes on campus but could work them in if attended at home. This is an especially good choice for students who continue working full time while attaining their certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, many online programs have lower tuitions than the more traditional on-campus alternatives. Ancillary costs such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies might be minimized also. Just remember that any requirements for practical training or internships must still be met, but they can often be completed in Hiram ME area medical 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 may be the right choice for you. With the online courses and the practical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is furnished.

Certification Programs for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good choice for those who wish to boost their careers. It will not only help in securing a job after graduation, but it may also enhance initial salary negotiations. Many potential Hiram ME medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not received accredited formal training or certification. Among the most popular and perhaps the most highly regarded certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to sit for the CMA examination, an applicant must have graduated or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Alternative certifications are available as well, for instance the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.

Concerns to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Hiram ME medical assistant programsPrior to examining your medical assistant school alternatives, you have to choose which kind of credential you would like to attain, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online from home. After those decisions have been made, you can start the procedure of evaluating medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many potential students restrict their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Hiram ME with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are several additional considerations that you must explore when evaluating programs. To assist you with that task, below are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are thinking about before making your final selection.

Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to ensure that the school you choose is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you plan on becoming certified, you must enroll in 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 agencies, you will not be allowed to take the CMA exam. Also, if you plan on obtaining a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, many potential Hiram ME employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

What is the School’s Passing Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant colleges design their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification exams. First, you need to learn which of the certifications the programs you are considering are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for instance, then naturally you will need to select a program concentrating on that certification. Second, ask what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. Doing this is just one of the ways to help assess the quality of a school’s program. Of course programs with low rates are ones that you will prefer to eliminate.

Which Programs are Offered? As we covered earlier, there are generally two routes to obtaining medical assistant training. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program and receive entry level training in the shortest 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 about two years to complete in a community college or trade school. Whichever program you elect to pursue, verify that the colleges you are considering offer the type of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Sponsored? Many medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Hiram ME area healthcare providers. They are a great way to receive hands-on practical training and experience. They may also assist students develop relationships within the Hiram healthcare community. And as an added perk, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews as well.

Is Job Placement Service Offered? Landing that very first job may be a daunting task for graduating medical assistant students unless they receive some help from a job placement program. Confirm that the colleges you are researching offer job placement assistance in the Hiram ME area and find out what their placement rate is. If a school has a higher job placement rate for its students, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the healthcare community. It also indicates that it has a broad network of contacts to help place students in jobs.

How Big are the Classes? Class size might be an indicator of how much individual instruction you will receive throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to furnish increased access to teachers and one-on-one interaction. If convenient, try to attend a few classes before enrolling in a college to see what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students receive.

Is Class Scheduling Accessible? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant program while you continue working on a full time basis, it’s essential that the college you choose provides classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hiram ME, make certain that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online college, but you will also have to schedule any internships or clinical training that may be required. Additionally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you may have to miss because of work, illness or family issues.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Hiram Maine?

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

Hiram, Maine

Hiram is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,620 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of Hiram, East Hiram, South Hiram and Durgintown. Located among the rugged and unspoiled Western Maine Mountains, Hiram is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area.

It became a stage stop along the Pequawket Trail, the former wilderness path of the Sokokis Abenakis which runs from Standish to Fryeburg (site of Pequawket, their stockaded village). First known as Great Ossipee after the Ossipee River, the town was settled in the 1780s and organized as Hiram Plantation, named after Hiram I, the biblical king of Tyre.[4][5] Like King Hiram's domain, Hiram Plantation was set among forests. It was incorporated as a district on February 27, 1807, then as the town of Hiram on June 14, 1814. Peleg Wadsworth bought a tract of land here in 1790, and in 1792 or 1794 began clearing a farm for his eldest son.[6]

Although uneven at the center, there was good and fertile farmland in the intervales. The soil was sandy loam, yielding wheat and hay, the principal crop. Sheep grazed the pastures, and their wool became an important product. In 1830, the town's population was 1,148.[7]

Enroll in the Ideal Medical Assistant College Hiram ME

Hiram ME medical assistant studentIt’s important to begin your new career on the right foot by picking a medical assistant school that will furnish the right training. Whether you’re planning to begin a career in health care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your lifetime career, you must acquire the appropriate info on available programs prior to making your decision. There are so many colleges providing training these days that you can make a selection based upon your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have covered in this article, verify that the program you decide on is accredited by a recognized organization, such as the CAAHEP. This is particularly critical if you intend on taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Quick Medical Assistant Programs. But irrespective of the kind of credential that you plan to earn or if you have decided to attend either an on-campus or online school, make sure to ask the questions we have provided in order to evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the best program you can ultimately start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Hiram ME.

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