Top Medical Assistant Programs Auburn MA

How to Choose a Medical Assistant Training Program near Auburn Massachusetts

Auburn MA medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have decided to become a part of the gratifying field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Auburn MA, it’s time to select a school that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? A number of prospective students start by checking out the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their residences and then gravitate toward those that have the lowest tuition. While cost and location are very important, such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are important factors as well. You may choose to look into some online medical assistant programs as an option also (more on that later). The main point is that before you select a college you need to finish your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the colleges you are assessing. And to assist you with that process, we have provided several questions that you need to ask each of the colleges on your short list. But prior to starting that review, let’s briefly talk about the responsibilities of a medical assistant and the type of training and credentials that are available.

The Function of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Auburn MA nursing home patientThe duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Essentially their function is ensure that the Auburn MA clinics, hospitals and other medical care facilities where they work run successfully. Based on the size or type of facility, they may be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are tasked with providing direct support to the nurses, doctors and other medical practitioners but may also be found performing duties in an office or at the front desk. Some of the possible functions of a medical assistant include:

  • Filling out insurance forms and filing claims
  • Setting and confirming appointments
  • Weighing and taking patients vital signs
  • Taking blood and other tissue and fluid specimens
  • Preparing instruments and rooms for doctors
  • Providing general support during exams and procedures

While medical assistants can perform almost any duty they are authorized to under Massachusetts law, some prefer to specialize in a specific area and attain certification. Two of the options 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 Programs

Compared to many other medical practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to obtain a college degree. However, a number of Auburn MA health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are essentially 2 options available for a formal education. The first and quickest path to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a diploma or a certificate. These programs usually take about a year to complete, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are designed to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are usually two year programs provided at junior and community colleges as well as trade and vocational schools. They are more expansive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They frequently have a clinical component involving an internship with a local medical facility. 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 Classes

woman attending medical assistant school online in Auburn MAThere are numerous accredited medical assistant programs available online too. They are a good option for individuals who might not have the time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if attended at home. This is a particularly good choice for students who continue to work full time while attaining their degree or certificate. As an added benefit, a number of online schools have lower tuitions than the more conventional on-campus options. Ancillary costs such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies might be minimized as well. Just keep in mind that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can typically be completed in Auburn MA area medical care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of participating in supervised classes on-campus, then this mode of receiving your training might be the best choice for you. With the online courses and the practical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.

Certification Programs for Medical Assistants

As earlier stated, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good idea for graduates who wish to advance their careers. It will not only help in securing a position after graduation, but it may also help with preliminary salary negotiations. A number of potential Auburn MA medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not obtained accredited formal training or certification. The most popular and arguably the most highly regarded certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to sit for the CMA exam, an applicant must have graduated or will graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are available as well, for instance the CMAA and the CCMA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.

Topics to Ask Medical Assistant Programs

Questions to ask Auburn MA medical assistant programsPrior to evaluating your medical assistant school options, you must determine which kind of credential you would like to earn, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online at home. As soon as those selections have been made, you can start the procedure of researching medical assistant schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of potential students limit their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Auburn MA with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifiers, they are by no means the only ones. There are a number of additional factors that you must explore when evaluating schools. To help you with that task, below are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are thinking about before making your final choice.

Is the Medical Assistant School Accredited? There are a number of great reasons to ensure 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 plan on becoming certified, you need to complete 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 program is not accredited by either of these agencies, you will not be eligible to take the CMA examination. Additionally, if you intend on applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, a number of potential Auburn MA employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.

What is the School’s Passing Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant colleges create their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification exams. To begin with, you need to determine which of the certifications the schools you are looking at are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for instance, then of course you will want to select a program concentrating on that certification. Next, ask 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 assess 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 covered earlier, there are basically two routes to getting medical assistant training. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program and get entry level training in the shortest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, however the average is closer to one year. Or you can opt to acquire an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will take approximately two years to complete in a community college or trade school. Whichever program you elect to pursue, confirm that the schools you are looking at provide the type of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Sponsored? A large number of medical assistant schools offer internship programs with Auburn MA area health care providers. They are a great means to obtain hands-on practical training and experience. They can also assist students establish relationships within the Auburn healthcare community. And as an added perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding that very first job can be a difficult undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain some assistance from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are interviewing provide job placement assistance in the Auburn MA area and ask what their placement rate is. If a college has a higher job placement rate for its students, it indicates that it has an excellent reputation within the healthcare community. It also suggests that it has a broad network of employers to help place students in jobs.

How Large are the Classrooms? Class size can be an indicator of how much personal attention 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 instructors and one-on-one interaction. If convenient, try to attend a few classes before choosing a program 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 college while you continue working full time, it’s essential that the program you enroll in offers classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Auburn MA, make certain that those times are available. You may be able to fit your classes in more conveniently with an online college, but you will also need to schedule all internships or clinical training that may be required. Additionally, find out what the protocol 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 Auburn Massachusetts?

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

Auburn, Massachusetts

The Auburn area was first settled in 1714 as of today outer parts of Worcester, Sutton, Leicester and Oxford, Massachusetts, and the town was officially incorporated on April 10, 1778 as the town of Ward,[1] in honor of American Revolution General Artemas Ward. The town changed its name to Auburn in 1837, after the Post Office complained that the name was too similar to the nearby town of Ware.

Robert H. Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket from Pakachoag Hill, on his aunt Effe Ward's farm, in Auburn on March 16, 1926. Goddard is commemorated in Goddard Memorial Park, located downtown next to the Auburn Fire Department Headquarters. The park features a model of Goddard's prototype liquid-fueled rocket and a Polaris missile (Type A-1). A second replica of Goddard's prototype stands at Auburn High School.

The form of government is representative town meeting. There are 24 town-meeting members from each of the five precincts of the town, for a total of 120 who represent the people at the annual town meeting each May. The town also has a Board of Selectmen which consists of 5 elected members each serving for a term of 3 years. As of 2009 the town adopted a new charter which allowed for the creation of a Town Manager.

Pick the Ideal Medical Assistant Course Auburn MA

Auburn MA medical assistant studentIt’s essential to begin your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant school that will provide the proper training. Whether you’re objective is to begin a career in healthcare starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you must acquire the appropriate information on available programs prior to making your selection. There are so many colleges providing training these days that you can make a selection based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have addressed in this article, confirm that the program you select is accredited by an acknowledged agency, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially important if you plan on taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Top Medical Assistant Programs. But regardless of the type of credential that you plan to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an online or on-campus school, be sure to ask the questions we have provided in order to compare programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the best program you can subsequently begin a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Auburn MA.

More Medical Locations in Massachusetts

  • Medical Assistant Programs Templeton MA
  • Medical Assistant Prerequisites Revere MA
  • Medical Assistant Classes Online Cambridge MA
  • Medical Assistant Certification Requirements Douglas MA
  • Medical Assistant Major Gloucester MA
  • Medical Assistant Course Online Clinton MA
  • Medical Assistant Online School Brookfield MA
  • Pediatric Medical Assistant Carlisle MA
  • Certified Medical Assistant Training Easthampton MA
  • How To Become A Medical Assistant Billerica MA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 50

    AFC Urgent Care Worcester
    7 Reviews
    Urgent Care, Walk-in Clinics
    Phone:
    115 Stafford St, Worcester, MA 01603

    ReadyMED
    7 Reviews
    Urgent Care
    Phone:
    460 Southbridge St, Auburn, MA 01501

    Shrewbury Family Medicine
    2 Reviews
    Family Practice
    Phone:
    24 Julio Dr, Fl 2, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Shrewsbury, MA 01545

    Saint Vincent Medical Group - Shrewsbury
    2 Reviews
    Medical Centers
    Phone:
    181 Main St, Shrewsbury, MA 01545

    AFC Urgent Care Marlborough
    26 Reviews
    Urgent Care, Walk-in Clinics
    Phone:
    38 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, MA 01752

    Urgent Care of Holden
    7 Reviews
    Urgent Care
    Phone:
    5 Shrewsbury St, Holden, MA 01520

    Seth Kates, MD
    7 Reviews
    Dermatologists, Skin Care, Medical Spas
    Phone:
    100 Martin Luther King Junior Blvd, Worcester, MA 01608

    New Life Blessings
    1 Reviews
    Doulas, Placenta Encapsulations, Midwives
    Phone:
    28 Maple St, Southbridge, MA 01550

    North Smithfield Urgent Care
    2 Reviews
    Urgent Care
    Phone:
    594 Great Rd, Ste 102A, North Smithfield, RI 02896

    Carewell Urgent Care
    8 Reviews
    Urgent Care
    Phone:
    348 Greenwood St, Worcester, MA 01607