Good Medical Assistant Schools Shapleigh ME

How to Select a Medical Assistant Program near Shapleigh Maine

Shapleigh ME medical assistant checking pulseOnce you have made a decision to enter the gratifying field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Shapleigh ME, it’s time to select a college that will furnish the appropriate training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? Many future students start by researching the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their homes and then lean toward those that have the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are very important, such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are critical issues also. You might want to research a few online medical assistant programs as an option as well (more about that later). The bottom line is that before you select a program you need to finish your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the colleges you are assessing. And to assist you with that task, we have furnished a few questions that you should ask each of the schools on your short list. But prior to starting that review, let’s talk a little bit about the function of a medical assistant and the kind of credentials and training that are available.

The Duties of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Shapleigh ME nursing home patientThe function of a medical assistant can be varied as well as challenging. Essentially their function is ensure that the Shapleigh ME hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities where they work run 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 tasked with providing direct assistance to the nurses, doctors and other health practitioners but can also be found performing duties at the front desk or in an office. A few of the potential 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 tissue and fluid samples
  • Preparing instruments and rooms for physicians
  • Giving basic support during examinations and procedures

While medical assistants may perform almost any activity they are qualified to under Maine law, some opt to specialize in a particular area and obtain certification. Two of the options 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 Courses

Compared to many other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to have a college degree. However, a number of Shapleigh ME health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that are certified. There are basically 2 choices provided 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 one year to complete, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are created to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to attain an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs provided at community and junior colleges as well as trade and vocational schools. They are more expansive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They frequently have a practical element requiring an internship with a local healthcare 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 Colleges

woman attending medical assistant school online in Shapleigh METhere are many accredited medical assistant programs accessible online too. They are a good alternative for those who may 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 added benefit, some online programs have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on-campus options. Supplemental costs such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies might be minimized as well. But bear in mind that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be met, but they can typically be performed in Shapleigh ME area medical care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of going to supervised classes on-campus, then this mode of receiving your training might be the ideal choice for you. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As previously mentioned, certification is not a legal requirement, but is a good choice for individuals who want to boost their careers. Not only will it help in obtaining employment after graduation, but it may also help with initial salary negotiations. Some potential Shapleigh ME medical employers just will not hire 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) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to sit for the CMA examination, a candidate must have graduated or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are available also, including the CMAA and the CCMA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.

Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Programs

Questions to ask Shapleigh ME medical assistant programsPrior to reviewing your medical assistant school alternatives, you must determine which type of credential you would like to earn, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online at home. Once those choices have been made, you can begin the process of researching medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of potential students confine their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Shapleigh ME with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are several additional considerations that you must examine when evaluating programs. To assist you with that process, below are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are thinking about before making your ultimate choice.

Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to confirm that the college you enroll in is accredited. First, accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you intend to become certified, you need to complete an accredited program. Two of the acknowledged 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 allowed to take the CMA examination. Also, if you plan on applying for a student loan or financial aid, they are often not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as previously mentioned, many potential Shapleigh ME employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.

What is the School’s Passing Rate? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools create their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification exams. To start with, you must find out which of the certifications the schools you are considering are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for example, then obviously you will want to choose a program focused on that certification. Second, find out what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is one of the ways to help assess the quality of a college’s program. Of course schools with low rates are ones that you will want to eliminate.

Which Credentials are Offered? As we covered earlier, there are basically two routes to acquiring medical assistant training. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program and get entry level training in the fastest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, however the average is about one year. Or you can choose to earn an Associate Degree and receive a broader education that will take about 2 years to finish in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you decide to enroll in, verify that the colleges you are considering provide the type of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Sponsored? Numerous medical assistant programs sponsor internship programs with Shapleigh ME area medical providers. They are a great means to receive hands-on practical training and experience. They may also help students build relationships within the Shapleigh health care community. And as an additional benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding that very first job may be a challenging undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain a little assistance from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are interviewing offer job placement assistance in the Shapleigh ME area and ask what their placement rate is. If a school has a high job placement rate for its students, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the health care community. It also indicates that it has a broad network of employers to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classrooms? Class size may be an indication of how much personal attention you will get during your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to offer increased access to teachers and one-on-one interaction. If possible, try to attend a few classes before enrolling in a school to witness what the teaching atmosphere is like and just how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Convenient? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant program while you continue working full time, it’s imperative that the college you select provides classes that accommodate your schedule. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Shapleigh ME, verify that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online college, but you will still need to schedule any internships or practical 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 Shapleigh Maine?

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

Shapleigh, Maine

Shapleigh, pronounced "SHAP-lee", is a town in York County, Maine, United States which was incorporated as the state's 43rd town in 1785. The population was 2,668 at the 2010 census. Shapleigh is divided into the villages of North Shapleigh, Shapleigh Corner, Ross Corner and Emery Mills. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

In 1668, Chief Captain Sunday (or Wesumbe) of the Newichawannock Abenaki tribe deeded Francis Small the Ossipee Tract, which included Cornish, Parsonsfield, Newfield, Limerick, Limington and Shapleigh. Small, a trader from Kittery, then sold a half interest to Major Nicholas Shapleigh of Eliot.[4] In 1770, heirs discovered the unrecorded deed and made claim. Shapleigh's heirs took Parsonsfield, Shapleigh and one half of Limerick.[5]

First called Hubbardstown, it was settled in 1772 when Simeon Emery erected a sawmill at the foot of Mousam Pond.[6] On March 5, 1785, the town was incorporated as Shapleigh, named for its early proprietor.[7] In 1830, Shapleigh's west half was set off and incorporated as Acton. In 1846, a portion of Shapleigh was annexed by Newfield. Shapleigh annexed an eastern portion of land from Waterboro in 1854.[8]

Select the Right Medical Assistant Course Shapleigh ME

Shapleigh ME medical assistant studentIt’s essential to begin your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant school that will furnish the appropriate training. Regardless if you’re objective is to begin a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your life long career, you must obtain the right info on available programs prior to making your selection. There are such a large number of schools offering training these days that you can make a decision based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have addressed in this article, verify that the program you select is accredited by an acknowledged organization, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you anticipate taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Good Medical Assistant Schools. But irrespective of the type of credential that you intend to earn or if you have decided to attend either an on-campus or online school, be sure to ask the questions we have supplied so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the right program you can subsequently begin a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Shapleigh ME.

More Medical Locations in Maine

  • Medical Assistant Classes Cost North Monmouth ME
  • Certified Medical Assistant Schools Near Me Denmark ME
  • Medical Assistant Requirements Addison ME
  • National Medical Assistant South China ME
  • Medical Assistant Program Cost New Vineyard ME
  • Medical Assistant To Rn Minot ME
  • Medical Assistant Training Program Bradford ME
  • Accredited Schools For Medical Assistant Georgetown ME
  • Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Caratunk ME
  • Medical Assistant Duties And Responsibilities Columbia Falls ME
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 4

    Avita of Wells
    1 Reviews
    Assisted Living Facilities
    Phone:
    86 Sanford Rd, Wells, ME 04090

    Home Instead Senior Care
    1 Reviews
    Home Health Care
    Phone:
    502 Main St, Gorham, ME 04038

    Dermatology & Skin Health
    7 Reviews
    Dermatologists, Medical Spas, Tattoo Removal
    Phone:
    784 Central Ave, Dover, NH 03820

    Seacoast Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
    13 Reviews
    Sports Medicine, Orthopedists
    Phone:
    7 Marsh Brook Dr, Somersworth, NH 03878