How to Choose a Medical Assistant Training School near Interlochen Michigan
Once you have made a decision to enter the gratifying profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Interlochen MI, it’s time to choose a school that will furnish the proper training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? Most prospective students start by checking out the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then gravitate toward those that have the lowest tuition. While location and cost are extremely important such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are critical issues also. You might decide to research some online medical assistant programs as an alternative also (more on that later). The bottom line is that prior to selecting a college you must complete your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the colleges you are examining. And to help you with that task, we have included a few questions that you need to ask all of the schools on your short list. But prior to starting that review, let’s briefly talk about the responsibilities of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are available.
The Duties of Medical Assistants
The responsibilities of a medical assistant can be varied as well as challenging. Essentially their duty is to make sure that the Interlochen MI clinics, hospitals and other healthcare institutions where they work run successfully. Based 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 responsible for providing direct assistance to the physicians, nurses and other medical practitioners but can also be found working in an office or at the front desk. A few of the possible responsibilities of a medical assistant include:
- Completing insurance forms and filing claims
- Scheduling and confirming appointments
- Weighing and taking patients vital signs
- Taking blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
- Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
- Giving basic support during examinations and procedures
Even though medical assistants may carry out almost any task they are qualified to under Michigan law, some opt 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) made available by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Medical Assistant Training Programs
Unlike most other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to have a college degree. However, a number of Interlochen MI health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are basically 2 choices offered for a formal education. The first and quickest way to becoming a medical assistant is to obtain a diploma or a certificate. These programs typically take about one year to finish, 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 attain an Associate Degree, which are normally two year programs available at junior and community colleges together with technical and vocational schools. They are more extensive in nature than the certificate or diploma programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant training. They often have a clinical element requiring an internship with a local medical practice. Associate Degrees are commonly a pre-requisite for and credits can be transferred to a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a related field.
Online Medical Assistant Schools
There are numerous accredited medical assistant programs offered online as well. They are an excellent alternative for those who might not have time to go to classes on campus but could fit them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good option for students who continue working full-time while pursuing their certificate or degree. As an extra benefit, a number of online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on campus options. Ancillary costs including those for commuting, textbooks and school supplies might be lessened also. But keep in mind that any requirements for practical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can often be completed in Interlochen MI area medical facilities. If you can learn without the rigid structure of attending supervised classes on-campus, then this method of receiving your education might be the best choice for you. Between the online lessons 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 mandate, but is an excellent choice for those who want to boost their careers. It will not only help in getting a job after graduation, but it may also help with initial salary negotiations. Some potential Interlochen MI medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not received certification or accredited formal training. 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 apply for the CMA exam, an applicant must be a graduate or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Alternative certifications are available also, such as the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.
Concerns to Ask Medical Assistant Schools
Prior to assessing your medical assistant school options, you have to determine which kind of credential you would like to earn, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online at home. As soon as those choices have been made, you can begin the process of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, some potential students restrict their searches to the colleges that are closest to Interlochen MI with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are several additional factors that you must explore when researching schools. To assist you with that process, below are some questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are thinking about before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Medical Assistant School Accredited? There are many great reasons to verify that the college you select is accredited. First, accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you intend to become 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 program is not accredited by either of these organizations, you will not be eligible to take the CMA examination. Additionally, if you anticipate obtaining a student loan or financial aid, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as mentioned previously, a number of potential Interlochen MI employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.
What is the Program’s Passing Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant colleges develop their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification examinations. First, you must find out which of the certifications the programs you are reviewing are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for instance, then obviously you will want to enroll in a program focused on that certification. Next, learn what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is just one of the ways to help assess the quality of a school’s program. Naturally programs with low rates are ones that you will want to eliminate.
Which Programs are Provided? As we covered earlier, there are essentially two routes to getting medical assistant training. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program and obtain entry level training in the fastest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can opt to earn an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will require about 2 years to finish in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you choose to enroll in, make certain that the colleges you are reviewing offer the type of program you have an interest in.
Are Internships Sponsored? A large number of medical assistant schools offer internship programs with Interlochen MI area medical care providers. They are an excellent method to obtain hands-on practical training and experience. They may also help students build relationships within the Interlochen medical community. And as an additional benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding that very first job may be a daunting undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they have a little assistance from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are interviewing offer job placement assistance in the Interlochen MI area and find out what their placement rate is. If a college has a high job placement rate for its graduates, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the healthcare community. It also suggests that it has a broad network of contacts to help place students in jobs.
How Large are the Classes? Class size might be an indicator of how much individual attention you will receive throughout your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to offer greater access to instructors and one-on-one interaction. If possible, try to attend a couple of classes before choosing a college to witness what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students receive.
Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you plan on attending a medical assistant school while you continue to work full-time, it’s essential that the school you enroll in provides classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Interlochen MI, confirm that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online college, but you will still have to schedule any clinical training or internships that might be required. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you may have to miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Interlochen Michigan?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Interlochen MI area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Interlochen, Michigan
Interlochen is an unincorporated village in Northwest Lower Michigan. It is in Green Lake Township, within Grand Traverse County. The community is noted for the internationally renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts. As of the 2010 census, the Interlochen census-designated place (CDP) had a population of 583.[2]
Before the arrival of European settlers, members of the Odawa people lived between the lakes they called Wahbekaness and Wahbekanetta (now named Duck Lake and Green Lake, respectively). Beginning in the late 19th century, European settlers began logging and fishing industries in the area. As the lumber industry grew, the area became more deforested, until in 1917 the state of Michigan purchased the remaining virgin pines and created Interlochen State Park, the first state park in Michigan.[3] In 1928, the National High School Orchestra Camp was founded at Interlochen and evolved to become Interlochen Center for the Arts, which includes a summer camp as well as a fine arts boarding high school and public radio station.
As the name suggests, Interlochen is situated between the two lakes of the original Odawa settlement. It is 14 miles (23 km) southwest of Traverse City at 44°38′43″N 85°46′02″W / 44.64528°N 85.76722°W / 44.64528; -85.76722, and sits at an elevation of 841 feet (256 m) above sea level. The ZIP Code is 49643.
Select the Right Medical Assistant Training Program Interlochen MI
It’s imperative to begin your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant college that will furnish the proper training. Regardless if you’re objective is 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 right information on available programs before making your selection. There are such a large number of 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 certain that the program you decide on is accredited by an acknowledged organization, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you intend on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Online Medical Assistant Programs. But irrespective of the type of credential that you intend to earn or if you have decided to attend either an online or on-campus school, don’t forget to ask the questions we have provided so you can evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the ideal program you can ultimately start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Interlochen MI.
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