Being A Medical Assistant Dahlgren VA

How to Choose a Medical Assistant Program near Dahlgren Virginia

Dahlgren VA medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have made a decision to become a part of the rewarding profession of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Dahlgren VA, it’s time to choose a school that will provide the right training. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently pick the right one? Most future students begin by checking out the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then gravitate toward those that have the most affordable tuition. While cost and location are very important, such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are important issues as well. You might choose to research some online medical assistant programs as an alternative 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 pertinent aspects of the schools you are assessing. And to assist you with that task, we have provided some questions that you should ask all 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 type of training and credentials that are offered.

The Role of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Dahlgren VA nursing home patientThe responsibilities of a medical assistant can be varied as well as challenging. Essentially their job is to make sure that the Dahlgren VA clinics, hospitals and other medical care centers where they work run successfully. Depending on the type or size of facility, they can be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are tasked with providing direct support to the nurses, doctors 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:

  • Filling out insurance forms and submitting claims
  • Setting and confirming appointments
  • Weighing and taking patients vital signs
  • Taking blood and other tissue and fluid samples
  • Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
  • Supplying basic support during examinations and procedures

Even though medical assistants may carry out almost any task they are qualified to under Virginia law, some prefer to specialize in a specific area and earn 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 Courses

Unlike most other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, many Dahlgren VA health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are generally two options offered for a formal education. The first and quickest path to becoming a medical assistant is to earn a diploma or a certificate. These programs usually take about one year to complete, a few 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 option is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are typically 2 year programs offered at community and junior colleges together with trade and vocational schools. They are more extensive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They frequently have a practical component involving an internship with a local medical facility. Associate Degrees are routinely a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.

Medical Assistant Online Programs

woman attending medical assistant school online in Dahlgren VAThere are a number of accredited medical assistant programs available online also. They are an excellent choice for individuals who might not have the time to attend 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 pursuing their certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more traditional on-campus alternatives. Ancillary expenses including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies might be reduced as well. But remember that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can usually be carried out in Dahlgren VA area healthcare facilities. If you can learn without the rigid structure of participating in supervised classes on campus, then this method of receiving your education might be the best option for you. Between the online lessons and the clinical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, certification is not a legal requirement, but is a good idea for graduates who want to advance their careers. It will not only help in securing employment after graduation, but it can also enhance initial salary negotiations. A number of possible Dahlgren VA medical employers just will not employ a medical assistant that has not obtained certification or accredited formal training. Among the most popular and perhaps the most highly regarded certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to apply for the CMA examination, a candidate must have graduated or will be graduating within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are available also, such as the CMAA and the CCMA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Programs

Questions to ask Dahlgren VA medical assistant programsBefore you can start examining your medical assistant school options, you need to choose which type of credential you would like to attain, and if you want to attend classes on campus or online from home. As soon as those choices have been made, you can begin the process of researching medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, some prospective students limit their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Dahlgren VA with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are several additional factors that you need to examine when evaluating programs. To assist you with that task, below are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are considering before making your final choice.

Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are many great reasons to ensure that the school you enroll in is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you intend to become certified, you need to 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 program is not accredited by either of these agencies, you will not be qualified to take the CMA exam. Also, if you plan on applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, a number of prospective Dahlgren VA employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.

What is the School’s Passage Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant schools create their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification examinations. To start with, you must learn which of the certifications the schools you are reviewing are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for example, then obviously you will want to select 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. Doing this is just one of the means to help assess the quality of a college’s program. Of course schools with lower rates are ones that you will prefer to eliminate.

Which Programs are Offered? As we covered earlier, there are essentially two paths to obtaining medical assistant training. You can choose a certificate or diploma program and obtain entry level training in the shortest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, although the average is closer to one year. Or you can decide to obtain an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will take approximately two years to complete in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you choose to pursue, verify that the schools you are considering provide the type of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Provided? A large number of medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Dahlgren VA area healthcare providers. They are an excellent way to get hands-on clinical training and experience. They can also help students develop relationships within the Dahlgren healthcare community. And as an added perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.

Is Job Placement Service Provided? Finding that first job can be a difficult undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they obtain some help from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are researching provide job placement assistance in the Dahlgren VA area and find out what their placement rate is. If a college has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it indicates that it has a good reputation within the medical community. It also indicates that it has a large network of contacts to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classes? Class size may be an indicator of how much personal instruction you will get during your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to provide greater access to instructors and face to face interaction. If convenient, try to sit in on a few classes before selecting a school to experience what the teaching environment is like and just how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant school while you continue to work full-time, it’s important that the school you select provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Dahlgren VA, verify that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online college, but you will still need to schedule all clinical training or internships that will be required. Additionally, find out what the policy is for making up classes that you may have to miss due to work, illness or family issues.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Dahlgren Virginia?

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

Dahlgren, Virginia

Dahlgren is a census-designated place (CDP) in King George County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,655 at the 2010 census, a large increase from the 997 reported in 2000.[3] The community is located within the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace American Viticultural Area winemaking appellation established by the United States government.

Since 1918, Dahlgren has been the site of a U.S. Naval base named for Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren. It was then the "U.S. Naval Proving Ground" but was renamed, after 1950, "U.S. Naval Weapons Laboratory", in 1974, the "Naval Surface Weapons Center","in 1987 the "Naval Surface Warfare Center", and around 1990, as the "U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD)". In 2006, it was renamed "Naval Support Activity-South Potomac (NSA-SP)", with NSWCDD becoming a tenant command of the base. The "U.S. Naval Space Surveillance Systems" command was located at that base, but that responsibility was transferred to the Air Force in 2004.[4] The AEGIS Training and Readiness Center is currently a tenant command at NSA-SP.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 997 people, 456 households, and 260 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 885.2 people per square mile (340.7/km²). There were 510 housing units at an average density of 452.8/sq mi (174.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 70.31% White, 25.28% African American, 0.30% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population. As of the 2010 census[1] the population had more than doubled, although the makeup was largely the same, with whites edging down as a percentage from 70.31% to 61.4%, blacks up from 25.28% to 30.5%, %, Hispanics up from 1.71% to 4.1%, and those reporting mixed race up from 1.91% to 3.8%.

Select the Best Medical Assistant School Dahlgren VA

Dahlgren VA medical assistant studentIt’s important to begin your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant school that will furnish the right training. Whether you’re objective is to launch a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you must get the appropriate info on available programs prior to making your selection. There are such a large number of schools providing training nowadays that you can make a decision based on your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have covered in this article, make sure that the program you pick is accredited by an acknowledged organization, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you plan on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Being A Medical Assistant. But regardless of the kind of credential that you intend to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an online or on-campus school, make sure to ask the questions we have supplied in order to evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the ideal program you can ultimately start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Dahlgren VA.

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