How to Select a Medical Assistant Training School near Morrill Maine
Now that you have made a decision to become a part of the gratifying profession of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Morrill ME, it’s time to select a school that will furnish the appropriate training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the right one? Most potential students start by researching the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their residences and then lean toward those that have the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are very important, such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are important issues also. You might want to take a look at some online medical assistant programs as an alternative as well (more on that later). The bottom line is that before you select a program you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the schools you are evaluating. And to assist you with that task, we have included several questions that you should ask each of the schools on your “maybe” list. But prior to starting that review, let’s talk a little bit about the responsibilities of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are offered.
The Function of a Medical Assistant
The duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Basically their role is to make sure that the Morrill ME clinics, hospitals and other medical care centers where they work run successfully. Depending 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 providing direct assistance to the physicians, nurses and other health practitioners but may also be found performing duties at the front desk or in an office. Some of the possible functions of a medical assistant include:
- Filling out insurance forms and submitting claims
- Setting and verifying appointments
- Taking vital signs and weighing patients
- Collecting blood and other tissue and fluid specimens
- Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
- Giving basic support during examinations and procedures
Even though medical assistants can carry out almost any activity they are authorized to under Maine law, some choose to specialize in a particular area and attain certification. Two of the choices offered 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
Unlike many other medical practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become certified, licensed, or to have a college degree. However, many Morrill ME health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are basically 2 options provided for a formal education. The first and shortest path to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. These programs generally take about 1 year to complete, a few 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 comprehensive in nature 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 healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are often a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.
Online Medical Assistant Programs
There are a number of accredited medical assistant programs available online as well. They are an excellent alternative for those who may not have the time to go to classes on campus but could fit them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good solution for students who continue working full-time while earning their degree or certificate. As an extra benefit, some online programs have cheaper tuitions than the more traditional on campus alternatives. Supplemental costs such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies might be reduced as well. But keep in mind that any requirements for practical training or internships must still be met, but they can typically be carried out in Morrill ME area health care facilities. If you can learn without the rigid structure of attending supervised classes on-campus, then this method of getting your training might be the right option for you. Between the online classes and the practical 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 mandate, but is a good idea for those who want to advance their careers. It will not only help in securing a job after graduation, but it can also help with preliminary salary negotiations. A number of possible Morrill ME medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not received certification or accredited formal training. Among the most popular and perhaps the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to apply for the CMA examination, an applicant must have graduated or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are offered also, including the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.
Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges
Before you can start examining your medical assistant school options, you have to decide which type of credential you want to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online from home. As soon as those choices have been made, you can begin the process of evaluating medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of potential students confine their searches to the colleges that are closest to Morrill ME with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional issues that you should explore when researching schools. To assist you with that task, below are some questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are considering before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are several great reasons to ensure that the school you choose is accredited. First, accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you plan on becoming certified, you need to complete an accredited program. Two of the accepted 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 one of these organizations, you will not be qualified to take the CMA exam. Also, if you anticipate applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are often not offered for non-accredited programs. And last, as previously mentioned, many potential Morrill ME employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.
What is the School’s Passage Rate? Most of the accredited medical assistant schools develop their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification examinations. To start with, you must find out which of the certifications the colleges you are looking at are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for example, then of course you will want to select a program focused on that certification. Second, learn what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. Doing this is one of the methods to help assess the quality of a college’s program. Of course programs with lower rates are those that you will want to eliminate.
Which Programs are Available? As we covered earlier, there are essentially two paths to acquiring medical assistant training. You can select a certificate or diploma program and obtain entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, however the average is closer to one year. Or you can decide to obtain an Associate Degree and receive a broader education that will take about 2 years to finish in a community college or vocational school. Whatever program you elect to pursue, confirm that the colleges you are reviewing offer the kind of program you have an interest in.
Are Internships Available? A large number of medical assistant colleges sponsor internship programs with Morrill ME area medical care providers. They are an excellent method to receive hands-on clinical training and experience. They can also help students build relationships within the Morrill healthcare community. And as an added perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing that initial job may be a challenging undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they have some help from a job placement program. Confirm that the colleges you are evaluating offer job placement assistance in the Morrill ME 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 health care community. It also indicates that it has a broad network of employers to help place students in jobs.
How Big are the Classrooms? Class size might be an indicator of how much individual attention you will receive during your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to provide greater access to instructors and one-on-one interaction. If possible, try to attend a couple of classes before enrolling in a program to see what the teaching atmosphere is like and how much attention the students get.
Is Class Scheduling Convenient? If you plan on attending a medical assistant college while you continue to work on a full time basis, it’s essential that the college you select offers classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Morrill ME, verify that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in more conveniently with an online school, but you will also need to schedule all internships or practical training that might be required. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you may have to miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Morrill Maine?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Morrill ME area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Morrill, Maine
Morrill is situated in the central part of Waldo County, 6½ miles west of Belfast. The surface of the town is uneven, but with very little waste land. Morey and Rowe hills are probably the highest elevations, though these have no great altitude. The soil is sandy in parts, and in others clay loam. Hay and potatoes are the chief crops. The usual forest trees of the region thrive here. Cross Pond, in this town, contains about 100 acres (40 ha), and another—Dolliff—about 50 acres (200,000 m2). The chief water-power is at the village on the east on the Passagassawakeag Stream. There are here shingle and stave mills, and a horse-rake factory. Morrill is on the Belfast and Kendall’s Mills stage-line. The nearest railroad station is at Belfast. The town roads are very good. There is one bridge 120 feet (37 m) in length, constructed of stone and timber.
Morrill was incorporated March 3, 1855; being named in honor of Hon. Anson P. Morrill, then governor of the State. The first settlements were made by James Weymouth, Benjamin Smith, Joseph Corning and Nathaniel Cushman, in 1801 and 1802. They purchased their lands of General Henry Knox, proprietor under the Waldo Patent.
The climate of this town is regarded as quite healthful. There are four inhabitants past eighty years of age, and four between seventy and eighty. The Grange has a good building here, which is used as a townhall. There is a Methodist society in the town, and a Union meetinghouse at the village. The town has five public schoolhouses. The entire school property is valued at $2,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $133,099. In 1880 it was $122,098. The rate of taxation in the latter was for money tax, 42 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 523. In 1880 it was 494.[4]
Select the Ideal Medical Assistant Course Morrill ME
It’s imperative to begin your new career on the right foot by enrolling in a medical assistant college that will furnish the appropriate training. Regardless if you’re planning to begin a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your life long career, you need to obtain the appropriate info on available programs prior to making your decision. 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 covered in this article, confirm that the program you decide on is accredited by an acknowledged agency, 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 Career. But regardless 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 so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the right program you can ultimately start a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Morrill ME.
More Medical Locations in Maine
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
3 Reviews 