How to Choose a Medical Assistant Training Program near Applegate Michigan
Once you have made a decision to become a part of the gratifying profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Applegate MI, it’s time to choose a college that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? A number of potential students start by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their homes and then lean 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 issues also. You may want to research several online medical assistant programs as an alternative also (more about that later). The bottom line is that before you select a college you must complete your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are evaluating. And to assist you with that process, we have provided a few questions that you need to ask each of the schools on your “maybe” list. But prior to starting that review, let’s talk a little bit about the function of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are available.
The Responsibilities of Medical Assistants
The duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Basically their function is ensure that the Applegate MI clinics, hospitals and other healthcare centers where they work operate efficiently. Depending on the size or type of facility, they may be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are tasked with giving direct support to the physicians, nurses and other medical practitioners but may also be found working 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
- Scheduling and confirming 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 exams and procedures
Although medical assistants can carry out almost any task they are authorized to under Michigan law, some opt to specialize in a specific area and attain certification. Two of the choices 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 Programs
Unlike many other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not required to become certified, licensed, or to obtain a college degree. However, a number of Applegate MI health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are generally two choices available for a formal education. The first and quickest way to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. These programs normally take about a year to complete, a few as little as six to nine months. They are created to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to attain an Associate Degree, which are usually 2 year programs offered at community and junior colleges as well as trade and vocational schools. They are more expansive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They frequently have a clinical element requiring an internship with a local healthcare practice. Associate Degrees are routinely a pre-requisite for and credits can be transferred to a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.
Medical Assistant Online Programs
There are many accredited medical assistant programs available online also. They are an excellent choice 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 earning their degree or certificate. As an added benefit, some online schools have lower tuitions than the more traditional on campus options. Ancillary costs including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies might be minimized also. Just remember that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be met, but they can typically be carried out in Applegate MI area health care facilities. If you can learn without the formal structure of going to supervised classes on-campus, then this method of getting your training might be the best choice for you. Between the online courses and the practical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.
Certification Programs for Medical Assistants
As previously mentioned, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent idea for individuals who want to boost their careers. It will not only help in attaining a position after graduation, but it may also enhance initial salary negotiations. A number of possible Applegate MI medical employers just will not employ a medical assistant that has not obtained accredited formal training or certification. One of the most popular and arguably the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to sit for the CMA exam, a candidate must be a graduate or will graduate within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are offered also, including the CMAA and the CCMA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.
Points to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges
Before you can start assessing your medical assistant school alternatives, you need to choose which type of credential you would like to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online from home. Once those choices have been made, you can begin the procedure of evaluating medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, some prospective students restrict their searches to the schools that are closest to Applegate MI with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are several additional considerations that you must look at when evaluating schools. To help you with that process, below are a few questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are considering before making your final choice.
Is the Medical Assistant School Accredited? There are several good reasons to make certain that the school you choose is accredited. First, accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you intend to become certified, you must complete an accredited program. Two of the approved organizations 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 intend on applying for a student loan or financial aid, they are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, many potential Applegate MI employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.
What is the Program’s Passage Rate? The majority of accredited medical assistant colleges create their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. To begin with, you need to find out which of the certifications the schools you are considering are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then naturally you will want to enroll in a program targeting that certification. Second, ask what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. This is just one of the ways to help evaluate the quality of a college’s program. Of course programs with lower rates are ones that you will want to avoid.
Which Credentials are Available? As we covered earlier, there are essentially two paths to obtaining medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and get entry level training in the shortest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can choose to obtain an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will require about two years to accomplish in a junior college or trade school. Whichever program you choose to pursue, verify that the schools you are looking at provide the type of program you are interested in.
Are Internships Available? Numerous medical assistant programs offer internship programs with Applegate MI area medical providers. They are a great method to receive hands-on clinical experience and training. They can also help students establish relationships within the Applegate medical community. And as an additional perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding that very first job may be a challenging undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they receive a little help from a job placement program. Verify that the schools you are researching provide job placement assistance in the Applegate MI 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 a good reputation within the healthcare community. It also indicates that it has a wide network of contacts to help place students in jobs.
How Large are the Classes? Class size can be an indicator of how much personal instruction you will get throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to provide increased access to instructors and one-on-one interaction. If possible, try to sit in on 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 full-time, it’s essential that the college you choose offers classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to attend classes at night or on weekends near Applegate MI, make certain that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online program, but you will still need to schedule any internships or clinical training that might be required. Additionally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Applegate Michigan?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Applegate MI area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Applegate, Michigan
Applegate is a village in Sanilac County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 248 at the 2010 census. Applegate is in the southeast corner of Washington Township on the boundary with Sanilac Township.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.01 square miles (2.62 km2), of which 1.00 square mile (2.59 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[1]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 248 people, 95 households, and 65 families residing in the village. The population density was 248.0 inhabitants per square mile (95.8/km2). There were 111 housing units at an average density of 111.0 per square mile (42.9/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 93.1% White, 3.2% African American, 2.4% Asian, and 1.2% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.
Select the Right Medical Assistant Program Applegate MI
It’s imperative to start your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant program that will provide the right training. Whether 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 need to get the right information on available programs before making your selection. There are so many schools providing training these days that you can make a decision based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have discussed in this article, make sure that the program you decide on is accredited by a recognized agency, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially important if you anticipate taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Become A Certified Medical Assistant. But regardless of the kind of credential that you plan to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an on-campus or online school, be sure to ask the questions we have provided in order to compare programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the right program you can subsequently begin a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Applegate MI.
More Medical Locations in Michigan
Business Results 1 - 10 of 2
1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 