How to Select a Medical Assistant Training Program near Shinglehouse Pennsylvania
Now that you have decided to enter the rewarding field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Shinglehouse PA, it’s time to select a school that will furnish the right training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? Most potential students start by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then gravitate toward those that have the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are extremely important such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are important factors as well. You might decide to research a few online medical assistant programs as an option as well (more on that later). The bottom line is that before you select a program you must complete your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the colleges you are evaluating. And to help you with that task, we have provided some questions that you should ask all of the schools on your short list. But before we start that review, let’s talk a little bit about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of credentials and training that are offered.
The Role of a Medical Assistant
The function of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Essentially their role is to make sure that the Shinglehouse PA hospitals, clinics and other medical care institutions where they work operate efficiently. Depending on the size or type of facility, they can be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller facilities 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. Some of the many duties of a medical assistant include:
- Completing insurance forms and filing claims
- Setting and verifying appointments
- Weighing and taking patients vital signs
- Taking blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
- Preparing instruments and rooms for doctors
- Providing basic support during examinations and procedures
Even though medical assistants may carry out almost any task they are qualified to under Pennsylvania law, some opt to specialize in a particular area and earn certification. Two of the options available 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 Programs
Compared to most other medical professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become certified, licensed, or to obtain a college degree. However, many Shinglehouse PA health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are generally 2 options available for a formal education. The first and fastest way 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 6 to 9 months. They are designed to teach the basics of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs offered at community and junior colleges as well as technical 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 practical component requiring an internship with a local healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are commonly a pre-requisite for and credits can be transferred to a four year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.
Medical Assistant Online Courses
There are a number of accredited medical assistant programs offered online as well. They are a good alternative for those who may not have the time to attend classes on campus but could work them in if attended at home. This is a particularly good choice for students who continue working full time while attaining their degree or certificate. As an additional benefit, many online programs have lower tuitions than the more conventional on campus options. Ancillary costs such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies can be minimized also. But remember that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can typically be carried out in Shinglehouse PA area medical facilities. If you can learn without the rigid structure of participating in supervised classes on campus, then this mode of receiving your training might be the best choice for you. Between the online lessons and the practical training, everything necessary to attain 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 an excellent idea for individuals who want to advance their careers. It will not only help in securing a job after graduation, but it might also help with initial salary negotiations. A number of possible Shinglehouse PA medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not received certification or accredited formal training. 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). To qualify to take the CMA examination, a candidate must be a graduate or will graduate within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are offered as well, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.
Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Programs
Prior to evaluating your medical assistant school alternatives, you have to choose which kind of credential you want to attain, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online from home. As soon as those decisions have been made, you can begin the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of potential students restrict their searches to the schools that are nearest to Shinglehouse PA with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional issues that you should examine when assessing schools. To assist you with that process, following are some questions that you should ask about each of the programs you are considering before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are many great reasons to make certain that the program you select is accredited. To begin with, accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you intend to become certified, you need to enroll in an accredited program. Two of the approved 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 program is not accredited by either of these agencies, you will not be eligible to take the CMA examination. Also, if you plan on obtaining a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And last, as mentioned previously, many prospective Shinglehouse PA employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.
What is the Program’s Passing Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant colleges design their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification exams. To begin with, you need to find out which of the certifications the programs you are reviewing are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then of course you will want to enroll in a program concentrating on that certification. Second, learn what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. Doing this is one of the methods to help assess the quality of a college’s program. Obviously programs with lower rates are those that you will want to avoid.
Which Programs are Offered? As we covered earlier, there are basically two paths to acquiring medical assistant training. You can choose a certificate or diploma program and obtain entry level training in the shortest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can opt to acquire an Associate Degree and receive a broader education that will require approximately two years to accomplish in a junior college or trade school. Whatever program you decide to enroll in, verify that the colleges you are looking at offer the kind of program you are interested in.
Are Internships Provided? A large number of medical assistant programs sponsor internship programs with Shinglehouse PA area health care providers. They are a great method to obtain hands-on clinical training and experience. They can also assist students develop relationships within the Shinglehouse medical community. And as an additional benefit, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding that very first job can be a daunting task for medical assistant school graduates unless they have a little help from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are evaluating provide job placement assistance in the Shinglehouse PA 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 an excellent reputation within the healthcare community. It also indicates that it has a large network of employers to help place students in jobs.
How Large are the Classrooms? Class size can be an indication of how much personal attention you will receive throughout your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to furnish increased access to instructors and face to face interaction. If practical, try to attend a couple of classes before enrolling in a college to see what the teaching environment is like and just how much attention the students receive.
Is Class Scheduling Accessible? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant college while you continue working full time, it’s essential that the college you enroll in provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Shinglehouse PA, confirm that those times are offered. You may be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will also have to schedule any internships or practical training that may be required. Additionally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Shinglehouse Pennsylvania?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Shinglehouse PA area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 1,250 people, 513 households, and 319 families residing in the borough. The population density was 599.4 people per square mile (230.9/km²). There were 550 housing units at an average density of 263.7 per square mile (101.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.24% White, 0.16% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.
There were 513 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
Pick the Ideal Medical Assistant College Shinglehouse PA
It’s important to start your new career on the right foot by enrolling in a medical assistant college that will provide the appropriate training. Regardless if you’re planning to launch a career in healthcare starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you need to obtain the appropriate info on available programs prior to making your selection. There are so many schools providing training nowadays that you can make a selection based on your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have addressed in this article, verify that the program you select is accredited by an acknowledged agency, 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 Medical Assistant Curriculum. But regardless of the type of credential that you plan to earn or if you have decided to attend either an online or on-campus school, be sure to ask the questions we have provided in order to evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the right program you can ultimately start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Shinglehouse PA.
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