How to Pick a Medical Assistant Program near Hampden Sydney Virginia
Once you have decided to enter the rewarding profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Hampden Sydney VA, it’s time to choose a school that will provide the right training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? Many future students start by researching the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then lean toward those that have the lowest tuition. While location and cost are extremely important such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are important factors also. You may choose to look into some online medical assistant programs as an option as well (more on that later). The main point is that prior to selecting a program you must complete your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the schools you are reviewing. And to assist you with that process, we have provided a few 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 training and credentials that are available.
The Responsibilities of Medical Assistants
The role of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Essentially their job is to make sure that the Hampden Sydney VA clinics, hospitals and other medical care centers where they work operate efficiently. Based on the size or type of facility, they can be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are responsible for giving direct support to the nurses, doctors and other medical practitioners but may also be found working at the front desk or in an office. Some of the potential responsibilities 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 tissue and fluid samples
- Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
- Providing general support during exams and procedures
Although medical assistants may perform almost any activity they are authorized to under Virginia law, some choose to specialize in a specific area and attain certification. Two of the options available 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 Programs
Compared to most other medical professionals, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, a number of Hampden Sydney VA health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are basically two options available for a formal education. The first and fastest route to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. These programs generally take about one year to complete, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are created to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are typically 2 year programs provided at junior and community 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 usually have a practical element involving an internship with a local healthcare practice. Associate Degrees are routinely a pre-requisite for and credits can be transferred to a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.
Online Medical Assistant Schools
There are numerous accredited medical assistant programs available online also. They are a good alternative for individuals who may not have the time to attend classes on campus but could work them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good choice for students who continue to work full time while earning their degree or certificate. As an extra benefit, a number of online schools have lower tuitions than the more conventional on campus alternatives. Supplemental costs such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies may be reduced also. But keep in mind that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can typically be performed in Hampden Sydney VA area medical care facilities. If you can learn without the rigid structure of going to supervised classes on campus, then this approach to receiving your training may be the ideal option for you. Between the online classes and the practical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.
Certification Programs for Medical Assistants
As stated previously, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good choice for those who want to boost their careers. It will not only help in obtaining a position after graduation, but it can also enhance initial salary negotiations. Some possible Hampden Sydney VA medical employers just will not hire 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) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to take the CMA examination, an applicant must have graduated or will be graduating within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Alternative certifications are offered as well, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we discussed earlier which are offered by the NHA.
What to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges
Before you can start assessing your medical assistant school alternatives, you need to choose which type of credential you would like to earn, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online from home. After those decisions have been made, you can start the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students confine their searches to the schools that are nearest to Hampden Sydney VA with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are several additional considerations that you should look at when assessing programs. 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 final selection.
Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are many good reasons to confirm that the program you choose is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps ensure that the instruction you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you plan on becoming certified, you need to complete 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 one of these organizations, you will not be qualified to take the CMA exam. Additionally, if you anticipate obtaining a student loan or financial aid, they are often not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as previously mentioned, a number of potential Hampden Sydney VA employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.
What is the Program’s Passing Rate? Most of the accredited medical assistant colleges develop their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification examinations. To begin with, you need to determine which of the certifications the schools you are reviewing are preparing their students for. If you are interested in taking the CMA for example, then of course you will need to select a program targeting that certification. Next, ask what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. Doing this is just one of the ways to help assess the quality of a school’s program. Obviously schools with low rates are ones that you will want to eliminate.
Which Programs are Provided? As we previously covered, there are generally two routes to getting medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and get entry level training in the fastest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, although the average is about 1 year. Or you can decide to obtain an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will take approximately 2 years to finish in a junior college or vocational school. Whatever program you choose to pursue, confirm that the colleges you are reviewing provide the kind of program you are interested in.
Are Internships Sponsored? A large number of medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Hampden Sydney VA area health care providers. They are a great way to receive hands-on clinical training and experience. They can also assist students build relationships within the Hampden Sydney medical community. And as an added perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Supplied? Landing that first job can be a difficult undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain some help from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are evaluating offer job placement assistance in the Hampden Sydney VA area and ask what their placement rate is. If a school has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it affirms that it has an excellent reputation within the medical community. It also suggests that it has a large network of contacts to help place students in jobs.
How Large are the Classes? Class size might 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 greater access to instructors and one-on-one interaction. If practical, try to sit in on a couple of classes before enrolling in a school to see what the teaching atmosphere is like and how much attention the students get.
Is Class Scheduling Convenient? If you plan on attending a medical assistant program while you continue to work full time, it’s imperative that the school you choose provides classes that fit your schedule. If you have to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hampden Sydney VA, make certain that those times are available. You may be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will still need to schedule any clinical training or internships that might be required. Additionally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you may have to miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Hampden Sydney Virginia?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Hampden Sydney VA area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Hampden Sydney, Virginia
According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2000 the CDP had a total area of 4.5 square miles (11.6 km²), all of it land. According to the United States Census Bureau in 2010, it had a total area of 3.895 square miles (10.087 km²) with 3.878 square miles (10.044 km²) of land and 0.017 square miles (0.043 km²) of water.[1]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,450 people, 172 households, and 108 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 322.2 people per square mile (126.1/km²). There were 197 housing units at an average density of 43.7/sq mi (17.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.4% White, 11.7% African American, 0.8% Asian, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.[2]
In the CDP, the population was spread out with 5.3% under the age of 18, 74.8% from 18 to 24, 5.9% from 25 to 44, 9.2% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 636 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 737.2 males.[2]
Select the Right Medical Assistant School Hampden Sydney VA
It’s important to begin your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant school that will furnish the appropriate training. Whether 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 must acquire the right info on available programs prior to making your decision. There are such a large number of schools providing training these days that you can make a decision based on your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have covered in this article, make sure that the program you choose is accredited by an acknowledged organization, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially important if you intend on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in What Does A Medical Assistant Do. 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 provided in order to compare programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the right program you can ultimately begin a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Hampden Sydney VA.
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