Tag Archives: Top Accredited Medical Assistant Schools Hickory Hills IL 60457

Best School For Medical Assistant Hickory Hills IL

How to Choose a Medical Assistant Training School near Hickory Hills Illinois

Hickory Hills IL medical assistant checking pulseOnce you have made a decision to become a part of the gratifying field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Hickory Hills IL, it’s time to select a school that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? A number of 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 critical issues as well. You may choose to look into a few online medical assistant programs as an option also (more about that later). The bottom line is that prior to selecting a program you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the schools you are examining. And to help you with that process, we have included some questions that you should ask all of the colleges on your short list. But before we start that review, let’s briefly talk about the function of a medical assistant and the type of credentials and training that are offered.

The Function of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Hickory Hills IL nursing home patientThe function of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Primarily their duty is to make sure that the Hickory Hills IL hospitals, clinics and other medical care 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 practices both. They are responsible for giving direct support to the physicians, nurses and other medical professionals but can also be found working at the front desk or in an office. A few of the many functions of a medical assistant include:

  • Filling out insurance forms and filing claims
  • Setting and verifying appointments
  • Weighing and taking patients vital signs
  • Collecting blood and other fluid and tissue samples
  • Preparing rooms and instruments for doctors
  • Supplying general support during exams and procedures

Although medical assistants can carry out almost any task they are authorized to under Illinois law, some elect to specialize in a particular area and earn certification. Two of the choices available 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 Courses

In contrast to most other medical professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, many Hickory Hills IL health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that are certified. There are basically 2 options provided for a formal education. The first and quickest way to becoming a medical assistant is to earn a diploma or a certificate. These programs typically take about one year to finish, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are developed to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to earn an Associate Degree, which are usually 2 year programs provided at community and junior colleges together with trade and vocational schools. They are more comprehensive in design than the certificate or diploma programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They frequently have a clinical element involving an internship with a local healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are often a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a four year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.

Online Medical Assistant Programs

woman attending medical assistant school online in Hickory Hills ILThere are a number of accredited medical assistant programs available online also. They are an excellent choice for those who might not have the time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if accessible at home. This is a particularly good option for students who continue working full time while earning their certificate or degree. As an extra benefit, a number of online schools have lower tuitions than the more conventional on campus options. Supplemental expenses including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies can be reduced as well. But keep in mind that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can usually be performed in Hickory Hills IL area healthcare facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of attending supervised classes on campus, then this method of receiving your education may be the ideal choice for you. With the online lessons and the practical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.

Certification Programs for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent choice for those who wish to advance their careers. It will not only help in obtaining employment after graduation, but it may also help with preliminary salary negotiations. Some potential Hickory Hills IL medical employers just will not employ a medical assistant that has not attained accredited formal training or certification. The most popular and perhaps the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to take the CMA examination, a candidate must be a graduate or will graduate within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are available as well, including the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Hickory Hills IL medical assistant programsBefore you can start assessing your medical assistant school options, you need to determine which kind of credential you would like to earn, and if you want to attend classes on campus or online from home. As soon as those selections have been made, you can begin the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many potential students confine their searches to the schools that are nearest to Hickory Hills IL with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional issues that you should examine when researching schools. To help you with that task, below are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are thinking about before making your final choice.

Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are a number of great reasons to verify that the program you enroll in is accredited. First, accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you plan on becoming 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 program is not accredited by one of these organizations, you will not be qualified to take the CMA exam. Additionally, if you anticipate applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, many prospective Hickory Hills IL employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

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 exams. To begin with, you need to find out which of the certifications the schools you are reviewing are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then of course you will need to select a program concentrating on that certification. Next, find out what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is just one of the ways to help evaluate the quality of a college’s program. Of course schools with lower rates are ones that you will prefer to avoid.

Which Credentials are Available? As we covered earlier, there are generally two routes to obtaining medical assistant training. You can choose a certificate or diploma program and obtain entry level training in the shortest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, however the average is closer to 1 year. Or you can elect to obtain an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will take about two years to finish in a community college or vocational school. Whatever program you choose to enroll in, make certain that the colleges you are looking at offer the type of program you have an interest in.

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

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding that first job can be a difficult task for medical assistant school graduates unless they receive some help from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are evaluating provide job placement assistance in the Hickory Hills IL area and ask what their placement rate is. If a program has a high job placement rate for its graduates, it affirms that it has an excellent reputation within the medical community. It also signifies that it has a large network of employers to help place students in jobs.

How Large are the Classes? Class size may be an indication of how much individual attention you will get throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to offer greater access to teachers and face to face interaction. If possible, try to sit in on a few classes before enrolling in a program to observe what the teaching environment is like and just how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Accessible? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant college while you continue working full time, it’s essential that the program you enroll in provides classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Hickory Hills IL, make sure that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will still have to schedule any internships or clinical training that might be required. Additionally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Hickory Hills Illinois?

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

Hickory Hills, Illinois

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 13,926 people, 5,216 households, and 3,698 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,913.0 people per square mile (1,900.0/km²). There were 5,332 housing units at an average density of 1,881.1 per square mile (727.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.89% White, 1.24% African American, 0.23% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.38% from other races, and 3.18% from two or more races.

There were 5,216 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was.

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

Enroll in the Ideal Medical Assistant School Hickory Hills IL

Hickory Hills IL medical assistant studentIt’s essential to start your new career on the right foot by enrolling in a medical assistant college that will furnish the appropriate training. Whether you’re planning to launch a career in health care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your lifetime career, you need to acquire the appropriate info on available programs before making your decision. There are such a large number of colleges providing training these days that you can make a decision based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have addressed in this article, verify that the program you choose is accredited by a recognized agency, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you intend on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Best School For Medical Assistant. But regardless of the kind of credential that you plan 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 provided so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the right program you can ultimately start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Hickory Hills IL.

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