Tag Archives: Top Accredited Medical Assistant Programs San Marino CA 91108

Medical Assistant Technician San Marino CA

How to Select a Medical Assistant School Program near San Marino California

San Marino CA medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have decided to join the rewarding field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near San Marino CA, it’s time to choose a school that will provide the proper training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? Most future students start by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then gravitate toward those that have the lowest tuition. While location and cost are very important, such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are critical issues also. You may decide to look into a few online medical assistant programs as an option also (more on that later). The bottom line is that before you select a college you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are examining. And to help you with that process, we have provided a few questions that you need to ask each 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 type of credentials and training that are offered.

The Role of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with San Marino CA nursing home patientThe function of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Essentially their role is ensure that the San Marino CA hospitals, clinics and other medical care institutions where they work run successfully. Based 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 possible functions of a medical assistant include:

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

While medical assistants can carry out almost any activity they are qualified to under California law, some prefer to specialize in a particular area and attain 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 Programs

Compared to most other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not required to become certified, licensed, or to obtain a college degree. However, many San Marino CA health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that are certified. There are basically two choices provided for a formal education. The first and quickest way to becoming a medical assistant is to obtain a certificate or diploma. These programs generally take about a year to complete, some as little as six to nine months. They are created to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs offered at junior and community colleges in addition to trade and vocational schools. They are more expansive in nature than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They usually have a clinical component requiring an internship with a local healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are commonly a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a four year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a related field.

Medical Assistant Online Schools

woman attending medical assistant school online in San Marino CAThere are a number of accredited medical assistant programs available online as well. They are a good alternative for individuals who might not have time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good choice for students who continue working full-time while earning their degree or certificate. As an additional benefit, many online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more traditional on campus alternatives. Ancillary costs such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies might be minimized as well. But bear in mind that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can usually be carried out in San Marino CA area medical facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of participating in supervised classes on campus, then this method of getting your training may be the best option for you. With the online lessons and the clinical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Programs for Medical Assistants

As earlier stated, certification is not a legal mandate, but is an excellent option for graduates who wish to boost their careers. Not only will it help in obtaining a position after graduation, but it may also help with preliminary salary negotiations. Some possible San Marino CA medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not received 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). To qualify to take the CMA exam, a candidate must be a graduate or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Alternative certifications are offered as well, such as the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Programs

Questions to ask San Marino CA medical assistant programsBefore you can start examining 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 at home. After those selections have been made, you can begin the process of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, many prospective students confine their searches to the schools that are nearest to San Marino CA with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional considerations that you must explore when assessing programs. To help you with that process, following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are several great reasons to ensure that the college you select is accredited. First, accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive will be both comprehensive 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 Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). If your school is not accredited by either of these organizations, you will not be eligible to take the CMA examination. Also, if you plan on applying for a student loan or financial aid, they are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as previously mentioned, many potential San Marino CA employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.

What is the Program’s Passing Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant colleges design their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. To start with, you need to learn which of the certifications the schools you are looking at are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for instance, then obviously you will need to enroll in a program focused on that certification. Second, ask what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. Doing this is just one of the ways to help assess the quality of a college’s program. Of course programs with low rates are ones that you will prefer to eliminate.

Which Programs are Available? As we previously covered, there are generally two routes to acquiring medical assistant training. You can select a certificate or diploma program and receive entry level training in the shortest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is closer to one year. Or you can opt to acquire an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will require about two years to finish in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you decide to pursue, confirm that the colleges you are reviewing provide the type of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Offered? Numerous medical assistant schools offer internship programs with San Marino CA area healthcare providers. They are a great means to obtain hands-on practical experience and training. They can also help students build relationships within the San Marino health care community. And as an additional benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Support Furnished? Getting that very first job can be a difficult task for graduating medical assistant students unless they receive some help from a job placement program. Confirm that the colleges you are researching provide job placement assistance in the San Marino CA area and find out what their placement rate is. If a program has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it indicates that it has an excellent reputation within the healthcare community. It also signifies that it has a large network of contacts to help place students in jobs.

How Big are the Classes? Class size might be an indicator of how much personal attention you will receive throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to offer increased access to instructors and face to face interaction. If practical, try to attend a few classes before enrolling in a college to witness what the teaching atmosphere is like and just how much attention the students receive.

Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you plan on attending a medical assistant college while you continue to work full time, it’s essential that the school you enroll in provides classes that accommodate your schedule. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near San Marino CA, make sure that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will also need to schedule all clinical training or internships that will be required. Also, find out what the policy is for making up classes that you might have to miss because of work, illness or family issues.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near San Marino California?

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

San Marino, California

San Marino is home to professors at the University of Southern California and the California Institute of Technology, media and finance executives, scientists working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and many other professionals. With a median home price of $2,431,900[4], over 10 times the national average, San Marino is one of the most expensive and exclusive communities in Southern California.

The city takes its name from the ancient Republic of San Marino, founded by Saint Marinus who fled his home in Dalmatia (modern Croatia) at the time of the Diocletianic Persecution of Christians.[5][6] Marinus took refuge at Monte Titano on the Italian peninsula, where he built a chapel and founded a monastic community in 301 A.D. The state which grew from the monastery is the world's oldest surviving republic.[7]

The seal of the City of San Marino, California is modeled on that of the republic, depicting the Three Towers of San Marino each capped with a bronze plume, surrounded by a heart-shaped scroll with two roundels and a lozenge (of unknown significance) at the top. The crown representing the monarchy on the original was replaced with five stars representing the five members of the City's governing body. Beneath the city's seal are crossed palm fronds and orange branches.[5]

Select the Right Medical Assistant School San Marino CA

San Marino CA medical assistant studentIt’s essential to start your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant school that will furnish the right training. Whether you’re goal is to launch a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your lifetime career, you need to acquire the right info on available programs before making your selection. There are such a large number of schools providing training nowadays that you can make a decision based on your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have addressed in this article, make certain that the program you pick is accredited by an acknowledged organization, such as the CAAHEP. This is particularly critical if you intend on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Technician. But irrespective of the kind of credential that you intend to earn or if you have decided to attend either an online or on-campus school, don’t forget to ask the questions we have supplied so you can evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the best program you can subsequently begin a gratifying career as a medical assistant in San Marino CA.

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