Best Medical Assistant Programs Laurie MO

How to Pick a Medical Assistant School Program near Laurie Missouri

Laurie MO 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 Laurie MO, it’s time to choose a school that will furnish the appropriate training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? Many future students begin by checking out the medical assistant schools that are closest to their homes and then lean toward those that have the lowest tuition. While cost and location are extremely important such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important factors also. You may want to research several online medical assistant programs as an option also (more on that later). The main point is that prior to selecting a college you must complete your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the colleges you are examining. And to help you with that process, we have provided several questions that you need to ask all of the schools on your short list. But prior to starting that review, let’s talk a little bit about the responsibilities of a medical assistant and the kind of credentials and training that are available.

The Role of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Laurie MO nursing home patientThe duties of a medical assistant can be varied as well as demanding. Primarily their function is ensure that the Laurie MO clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities where they work run efficiently. Depending on the type or size 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 health practitioners but can also be found working at the front desk or in an office. A few of the potential functions of a medical assistant include:

  • Completing insurance forms and filing claims
  • Scheduling and confirming appointments
  • Taking vital signs and weighing patients
  • Collecting blood and other tissue and fluid specimens
  • Preparing instruments and rooms for physicians
  • Providing basic support during exams and procedures

Although medical assistants can perform almost any activity they are authorized to under Missouri law, some choose to specialize in a specific area and obtain 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 Training Courses

In contrast to many other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not mandated to become certified, licensed, or to earn a college degree. However, many Laurie MO health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that are certified. There are basically two options available for a formal education. The first and quickest path to becoming a medical assistant is to obtain a diploma or a certificate. These programs normally take about one year to complete, some as little as six to nine months. They are developed to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to attain an Associate Degree, which are typically 2 year programs provided at junior and community colleges as well as trade and vocational schools. They are more comprehensive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They frequently have a practical component requiring an internship with a local healthcare 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 Colleges

woman attending medical assistant school online in Laurie MOThere are numerous accredited medical assistant programs offered online also. They are a good option for those who may not have time to go to classes on campus but could fit them in if attended at home. This is an especially good alternative for students who continue working full-time while attaining their certificate or degree. As an extra benefit, many online programs have lower tuitions than the more traditional on campus alternatives. Ancillary expenses such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies can be minimized as well. Just keep in mind that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can typically be performed in Laurie MO area medical care facilities. If you can learn without the formal structure of attending supervised classes on-campus, then this approach to receiving your education might be the ideal option for you. With the online lessons and the clinical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to work as a medical assistant is furnished.

Certification Programs for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, certification is not a legal mandate, but is an excellent choice for individuals who wish to advance their careers. It will not only help in obtaining a position after graduation, but it can also help with initial salary negotiations. Many possible Laurie MO medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not attained certification or accredited formal training. Among 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). In order to take the CMA exam, an applicant must have graduated or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are available also, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.

Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Laurie MO medical assistant programsPrior to examining your medical assistant school options, you must decide which type of credential you would like to earn, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online from home. Once those decisions have been made, you can begin the procedure of researching medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many potential students confine their searches to the schools that are closest to Laurie MO with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifiers, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional issues that you should explore when evaluating schools. To help you with that process, below are some questions that you should ask about each of the programs you are considering before making your ultimate choice.

Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to verify that the school you select is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you plan on becoming certified, you must complete an accredited program. Two of the acknowledged 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 either of these organizations, you will not be qualified to take the CMA examination. Additionally, if you anticipate obtaining a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as previously mentioned, a number of prospective Laurie MO employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

What is the School’s Passing Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant colleges design their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification exams. First, you need to determine 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 instance, then obviously you will want to select a program concentrating on that certification. Second, ask what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. Doing this is one of the ways to help assess the quality of a school’s program. Obviously programs with lower rates are those that you will prefer to avoid.

Which Programs are Provided? As we covered earlier, there are basically two paths to obtaining medical assistant training. You can select a certificate or diploma program and get entry level training in the fastest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, although the average is closer to 1 year. Or you can choose to earn an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will take about two years to complete in a community college or vocational school. Whichever program you decide to pursue, make certain that the colleges you are looking at offer the kind of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Sponsored? Numerous medical assistant colleges offer internship programs with Laurie MO area medical care providers. They are a great means to get hands-on practical training and experience. They can also assist students develop relationships within the Laurie medical community. And as an added perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Landing that initial job may be a difficult undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they have a little assistance from a job placement program. Confirm that the colleges you are evaluating provide job placement assistance in the Laurie MO area and find out what their placement rate is. If a program has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it affirms that it has an excellent reputation within the medical community. It also indicates that it has a broad network of contacts to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classrooms? Class size can be an indication of how much individual instruction you will get during your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to provide greater access to teachers and face to face interaction. If practical, try to sit in on a couple of classes before choosing a school to see what the teaching atmosphere is like and just how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Convenient? If you plan on attending a medical assistant school while you continue to work on a full time basis, it’s essential that the school you choose provides classes that fit your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Laurie MO, confirm that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will also need to schedule any internships or clinical training that might be required. Additionally, ask what the policy is for making up classes that you may have to miss due to illness, work or family issues.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Laurie Missouri?

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

Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks is a large reservoir created by impounding the Osage River in the northern part of the Ozarks in central Missouri. Extents of three smaller tributaries to the Osage are included in the impoundment: the Niangua River, Grandglaize Creek, and Gravois Creek. The lake has a surface area of 54,000 acres (220 km2) and 1,150 miles (1,850 km) of shoreline, and the main channel of the Osage Arm stretches 92 miles (148 km) from end to end. The total drainage area is over 14,000 square miles (36,000 km2). The lake's serpentine shape has earned it the nickname "The Magic Dragon", which has in turn inspired the names of local institutions such as The Magic Dragon Street Meet.[5]

A hydro-electric power plant on the Osage River was first pursued by Kansas City developer Ralph Street in 1912. He put together the initial funding and began building roads, railroads, and infrastructure necessary to begin construction of the dam, with a plan to impound a much smaller lake. In the mid-1920s, Street’s funding dried up, and he abandoned the effort.[6]

The lake was created by the construction of the 2,543-foot (775 m) long Bagnell Dam by the Union Electric Company of St. Louis, Missouri. The principal engineering firm was Stone and Webster. Construction began August 8, 1929, was completed in April 1931 and reached spillway elevation on May 20, 1931. During construction, the lake was referred to as Osage Reservoir or Lake Osage. The Missouri General Assembly officially named it Lake Benton after Senator Thomas Hart Benton. None of the names stuck, as it was popularly referred to by its location at the northern edge of the Ozarks. The electric generating station, however, is still referred to by the utility company as the "Osage Hydroelectric Plant."[7] While some sources indicate that more than 20 towns, villages and settlements were permanently flooded to create the lake, subsequent research indicates that the actual number was closer to eight, while several other sites had been previously abandoned, were relocated to make way for the lake, or were on high enough ground that the creation of the lake didn't affect them.[8]

Enroll in the Right Medical Assistant Training Program Laurie MO

Laurie MO medical assistant studentIt’s important to start your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant school that will provide the right training. Regardless if you’re planning to begin a career in healthcare starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your lifetime career, you need to get the appropriate info on available programs before making your selection. There are so many schools offering training nowadays that you can make a decision based on 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 organization, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you anticipate taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Best Medical Assistant Programs. But irrespective of the type 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 supplied so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the best program you can subsequently start a gratifying career as a medical assistant in Laurie MO.

More Medical Locations in Missouri

  • Certify Medical Assistant Fordland MO
  • Medical Assistant Degree Park Hills MO
  • Medical Assistant Information Seymour MO
  • Medical Assistant Graduation Exeter MO
  • What Can A Certified Medical Assistant Do Altenburg MO
  • Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate Program Mount Vernon MO
  • Certified Medical Assistant Newburg MO
  • Medical Assistant Colleges Near Me Salisbury MO
  • Medical Assistant Info Marionville MO
  • Medical Assistant Degree Requirements Stanton MO
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 1

    Phoenix Home Care & Hospice
    5 Reviews
    Home Health Care
    Phone:
    3033 S Kansas Expy, Springfield, MO 65807