How to Choose a Medical Assistant Training School near Kilmarnock Virginia
Once you have decided to become a part of the rewarding profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Kilmarnock VA, it’s time to choose a school that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the right one? Most future students start by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their homes and then lean toward those that have the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are very important, such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are important issues also. You might decide to research several online medical assistant programs as an alternative as well (more on that later). The bottom line is that prior to selecting a college you must finish your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the schools you are evaluating. And to assist you with that task, we have provided a few questions that you should ask all of the colleges on your short list. But prior to starting that review, let’s talk a little bit about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are offered.
The Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant
The duties of a medical assistant can be varied as well as demanding. Primarily their role is ensure that the Kilmarnock VA hospitals, clinics and other medical care institutions where they work operate efficiently. Based on the size or type of facility, they may be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller facilities both. They are tasked with providing direct assistance 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 functions of a medical assistant include:
- Completing insurance forms and submitting claims
- Setting and confirming appointments
- Weighing and taking patients vital signs
- Collecting blood and other tissue and fluid samples
- Preparing rooms and instruments for doctors
- Giving general support during examinations and procedures
Even though medical assistants may carry out almost any activity they are qualified to under Virginia law, some prefer to specialize in a particular area and obtain certification. Two of the choices 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 Training
Unlike most other medical professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to obtain a college degree. However, a number of Kilmarnock VA health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are basically two options provided for a formal education. The first and shortest route to becoming a medical assistant is to acquire 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 fundamentals of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to attain an Associate Degree, which are usually 2 year programs available at junior and community colleges as well as technical and vocational schools. They are more expansive in nature than the certificate or diploma programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They usually have a clinical element involving an internship with a local healthcare practice. 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.
Online Medical Assistant Colleges
There are numerous 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 accessible at home. This is a particularly good option for students who continue to work full time while attaining their degree or certificate. As an added benefit, some online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on campus alternatives. Supplemental expenses such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies might be minimized also. But bear in mind that any requirements for clinical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can often be performed in Kilmarnock VA area health care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of going to supervised classes on campus, then this method of receiving your education might be the right choice for you. With the online classes and the practical training, everything necessary to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.
Certification Options for Medical Assistants
As stated previously, certification is not a legal requirement, but is a good choice for graduates who want to boost their careers. Not only will it help in securing employment after graduation, but it can also enhance initial salary negotiations. Some potential Kilmarnock VA medical employers just will not employ a medical assistant that has not attained accredited formal training or certification. One of 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, an applicant must be a graduate or will be graduating within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are offered as well, such as the CMAA and the CCMA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.
Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges
Prior to reviewing your medical assistant school alternatives, you need to determine which kind of credential you would like to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on-campus or online at home. Once those choices have been made, you can begin the process of comparing medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, some students limit their searches to the schools that are nearest to Kilmarnock VA with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifiers, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional considerations that you need to explore when assessing programs. To assist you with that process, following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the programs you are considering before making your final choice.
Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are several good reasons to confirm that the program you select is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you plan on becoming certified, you must 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 organizations, you will not be qualified to take the CMA exam. Additionally, if you plan on applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as previously mentioned, many prospective Kilmarnock VA employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.
What is the School’s Passage Rate? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools create their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification exams. To start with, you must find out which of the certifications the programs you are looking at are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for instance, then of course you will want to choose a program concentrating on that certification. Next, learn what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is one of the methods to help evaluate the quality of a school’s program. Naturally schools with low rates are ones that you will want to eliminate.
Which Credentials are Available? As we previously covered, there are basically two routes to getting medical assistant training. You can choose a diploma or certificate program and receive entry level training in the fastest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, however the average is about 1 year. Or you can choose to acquire an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will take about 2 years to finish in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you elect to pursue, confirm that the colleges you are looking at offer the kind of program you have an interest in.
Are Internships Available? Many medical assistant colleges offer internship programs with Kilmarnock VA area healthcare providers. They are an excellent method to receive hands-on practical experience and training. They may also help students develop relationships within the Kilmarnock health care community. And as an added perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.
Is Job Placement Service Provided? Landing that initial job can be a difficult task for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain some help from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are interviewing provide job placement assistance in the Kilmarnock VA 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 an excellent reputation within the health care community. It also indicates that it has a large network of contacts to help place students in jobs.
How Large are the Classes? Class size can 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 prone to provide increased access to teachers and one-on-one interaction. If possible, try to sit in on a few classes before enrolling in a school to experience what the teaching atmosphere is like and how much attention the students receive.
Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant program while you continue working full time, it’s important that the program you select provides classes that accommodate your schedule. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Kilmarnock VA, make certain that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online school, but you will still need to schedule any internships or practical training that will be required. Additionally, ask what the policy is for making up classes that you might have to miss due to work, illness or family issues.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Kilmarnock Virginia?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Kilmarnock VA area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Kilmarnock, Virginia
Kilmarnock is a town in Lancaster and Northumberland counties in the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 1,244 at the 2000 census. It is located near the mouth of the Rappahannock River and is located within the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace American Viticultural Area winemaking appellation. There is a small hospital in the town. Lancaster Middle School, grades 4-8, is also located in town. Approximately 500 students attend the school.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,244 people, 547 households, and 305 families residing in the town. The population density was 435.6 people per square mile (167.9/km²). There were 607 housing units at an average density of 212.6 per square mile (81.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 79.74% White, 19.05% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.56% of the population.
There were 547 households out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.2% were non-families. 40.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 25.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.66.
Pick the Right Medical Assistant School Kilmarnock VA
It’s essential to begin your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant program that will provide 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 lifetime career, you must obtain the right info on available programs prior to making your selection. There are such a large number of schools offering training these days that you can make a decision based upon your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have covered in this article, verify that the program you select is accredited by an acknowledged agency, such as the CAAHEP. This is particularly important if you plan on taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Pediatric Medical Assistant. But regardless of the type of credential that you intend to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an on-campus or online school, don’t forget to ask the questions we have supplied in order to compare programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the right program you can subsequently begin a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Kilmarnock VA.
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