Category Archives: Kentucky

Online Medical Assistant Programs Williamsburg KY

How to Pick a Medical Assistant School Program near Williamsburg Kentucky

Williamsburg KY medical assistant checking pulseOnce you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Williamsburg KY, it’s time to choose a school that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately pick the best one? A number of prospective students start by evaluating 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 issues as well. You may choose to research a few online medical assistant programs as an option also (more about that later). The main point is that before you select a college you must complete your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the schools you are reviewing. And to assist you with that task, we have included a few questions that you should ask each of the schools on your “maybe” list. But prior to starting that review, let’s talk a little bit about the responsibilities of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are offered.

The Role of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Williamsburg KY nursing home patientThe duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Essentially their duty is to make sure that the Williamsburg KY clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities where they work operate successfully. Depending on the type or size of facility, they can be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller facilities both. They are responsible for giving direct support to the nurses, doctors and other health practitioners but may also be found performing duties at the front desk or in an office. Some of the potential duties of a medical assistant include:

  • Completing insurance forms and submitting claims
  • Setting and verifying appointments
  • Taking vital signs and weighing patients
  • Taking blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
  • Preparing instruments and rooms for doctors
  • Providing general support during exams and procedures

Although medical assistants may perform almost any task they are authorized to under Kentucky law, some opt to specialize in a particular area and obtain certification. Two of the choices offered are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Training Programs

In contrast to many other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, many Williamsburg KY health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are basically two choices offered for a formal education. The first and shortest path to becoming a medical assistant is to acquire a certificate or diploma. These programs generally take about 1 year to finish, a few as little as six to nine months. They are developed to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to earn an Associate Degree, which are normally two year programs offered at community and junior colleges together with vocational and technical schools. They are more extensive in design than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They often have a clinical component requiring an internship with a local healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are routinely 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 Classes

woman attending medical assistant school online in Williamsburg KYThere are many accredited medical assistant programs accessible online as well. They are an excellent option for students who may not have time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good alternative for students who continue to work full-time while earning their certificate or degree. As an added benefit, many online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on-campus options. Ancillary costs such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies may 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 Williamsburg KY area medical facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of participating in supervised classes on campus, then this method of receiving your training might be the right choice for you. Between the online lessons and the practical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As earlier stated, certification is not a legal requirement, but is a good choice for graduates who want to advance their careers. It will not only help in getting a position after graduation, but it can also help with preliminary salary negotiations. A number of possible Williamsburg KY medical employers just 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 examination, a candidate must be a graduate or will graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Alternative certifications are offered also, such as the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.

Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges

Questions to ask Williamsburg KY medical assistant programsBefore you can start examining your medical assistant school alternatives, you need to determine which type of credential you want to earn, and if you would prefer attending classes on-campus or online from home. As soon as those choices have been made, you can begin the procedure of researching medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of potential students limit their searches to the schools that are nearest to Williamsburg KY with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional factors that you must look at when researching programs. To help you with that task, following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are considering before making your final choice.

Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are a number of great reasons to make certain that the college you enroll in is accredited. First, accreditation helps ensure 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 school is not accredited by either of these organizations, you will not be qualified to take the CMA examination. Additionally, if you intend on obtaining a student loan or financial aid, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And last, as mentioned previously, many potential Williamsburg KY employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

What is the Program’s Passing Rate? The majority of accredited medical assistant colleges develop their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification exams. To begin with, you need to determine which of the certifications the programs you are considering are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for example, then obviously you will need to choose a program focused on that certification. Second, find out what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. This is one of the methods to help assess the quality of a school’s program. Obviously programs with lower rates are those that you will prefer to eliminate.

Which Credentials are Offered? As we previously covered, there are essentially two paths to acquiring medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and receive entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is about 1 year. Or you can opt to obtain an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will require about 2 years to accomplish in a community college or vocational school. Whichever program you decide to enroll in, make sure that the schools you are reviewing provide the kind of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Offered? A large number of medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Williamsburg KY area medical providers. They are a great method to receive hands-on practical experience and training. They can also help students build relationships within the Williamsburg medical community. And as an additional benefit, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Assistance Supplied? Finding that very first job can be a challenging undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they have a little assistance from a job placement program. Verify that the schools you are evaluating offer job placement assistance in the Williamsburg KY area and find out what their placement rate is. If a school has a higher job placement rate for its students, it indicates that it has a good reputation within the medical community. It also indicates that it has a wide network of employers to help place students in positions.

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

Is Class Scheduling Practical? If you plan on attending a medical assistant college while you continue to work full time, it’s essential that the school you select provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Williamsburg KY, make sure that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in more conveniently with an online college, but you will also have to schedule all internships or practical training that will be required. Also, find out what the policy is for making up classes that you might have to miss because of illness, work or family issues.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Williamsburg Kentucky?

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

Williamsburg, Kentucky

Williamsburg is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Whitley County, Kentucky, United States.[4] The population was 5,245 at the 2010 census. The city was founded in 1818 and named after William Whitley. The Cumberland River flows through the city.

Williamsburg was first known as the Spring Ford after a nearby ford crossing the Cumberland River. On 19 April 1818 the first meeting of the Whitley County Court was held at Samuel Cox's own home.[5] This first court appointed local officials as well as constables to work with the county militia. The town was then known simply as Whitley Courthouse. This name would be changed in 1882 to Williamsburgh, and later changed in 1890 to its current Williamsburg.

The town's initial growth was fueled by three fresh water springs in the area and then by coal and lumber industries. This growth was greatly accelerated by the introduction of the L&N railroad coming to the town in 1883, opening the town to far flung markets and greatly easing the flow of population. Shortly thereafter in 1886 the town would elect W. H. Parker as its first mayor.[6]

Select the Best Medical Assistant College Williamsburg KY

Williamsburg KY medical assistant studentIt’s important to start your new career on the right foot by enrolling in a medical assistant program that will furnish the right training. Regardless if you’re objective is to begin a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you need to get the right info on available programs before making your decision. There are so many schools offering training these days that you can make a selection based upon your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have discussed in this article, make certain that the program you choose is accredited by a recognized agency, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially important if you plan 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 kind of credential that you intend to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an on-campus or online school, make sure to ask the questions we have supplied so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the best program you can ultimately start a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Williamsburg KY.

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