Tag Archives: Top Accredited Medical Assistant Schools Jeffersonville GA 31044

Medical Assistant Duties And Responsibilities Jeffersonville GA

How to Select a Medical Assistant School near Jeffersonville Georgia

Jeffersonville GA medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have decided to become a part of the rewarding profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Jeffersonville GA, it’s time to choose a school that will provide the right training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? A number of future students begin by checking out the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their homes and then gravitate toward those that have the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are extremely important such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important factors also. You may want to look into some online medical assistant programs as an option also (more about that later). The main point is that prior to selecting a program you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the colleges you are reviewing. And to assist you with that task, we have included some questions that you need to ask each of the schools on your “maybe” list. But before we start that review, let’s briefly talk about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of credentials and training that are available.

The Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Jeffersonville GA nursing home patientThe role of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Essentially their duty is ensure that the Jeffersonville GA hospitals, clinics and other medical care institutions where they work run efficiently. Depending on the type or size of facility, they may be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller facilities both. They are tasked with giving direct assistance to the physicians, nurses and other health professionals but may also be found performing duties in an office or at the front desk. A few of the possible duties of a medical assistant include:

  • Completing insurance forms and filing claims
  • Scheduling and confirming appointments
  • Weighing and taking patients vital signs
  • Taking blood and other tissue and fluid samples
  • Preparing instruments and rooms for physicians
  • Supplying general support during exams and procedures

While medical assistants can carry out almost any activity they are qualified to under Georgia law, some choose to specialize in a specific 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 Programs

Unlike most other medical professionals, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, many Jeffersonville GA health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are generally two options offered for a formal education. The first and shortest path to becoming a medical assistant is to obtain a diploma or a certificate. These programs usually take about 1 year to complete, some as little as six to nine months. They are created to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to obtain an Associate Degree, which are usually two year programs offered at community and junior colleges as well as vocational and technical schools. They are more extensive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant training. They usually have a clinical component requiring 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 related field.

Medical Assistant Online Schools

woman attending medical assistant school online in Jeffersonville GAThere are a number of accredited medical assistant programs offered online also. They are an excellent option for students who might not have the time to go to 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 pursuing their certificate or degree. As an extra benefit, many online schools have lower tuitions than the more traditional on campus alternatives. Supplemental expenses such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies may be minimized also. Just bear in mind that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can often be carried out in Jeffersonville GA 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 best option for you. Between the online courses and the clinical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Programs for Medical Assistants

As previously mentioned, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is a good choice for individuals who wish to advance their careers. Not only will it help in securing a job after graduation, but it can also help with initial salary negotiations. Some potential Jeffersonville GA medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not obtained accredited formal training or certification. 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 exam, an applicant must be a graduate or will graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are offered also, such as the CCMA and the CMAA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges

Questions to ask Jeffersonville GA medical assistant programsBefore you can start assessing your medical assistant school alternatives, you must determine which kind of credential you want to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on-campus or online at home. As soon as those choices have been made, you can start the process of researching medical assistant schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of students limit their searches to the schools that are nearest to Jeffersonville GA with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are a number of additional considerations that you need to examine when assessing schools. To help you with that process, following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are thinking about before making your ultimate choice.

Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to ensure that the school you enroll in is accredited. To begin 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 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 organizations, you will not be allowed 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 last, as previously mentioned, a number of prospective Jeffersonville GA employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

What is the Program’s Passage Rate? Most of the accredited medical assistant schools create their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. To start with, you must find out which of the certifications the schools you are reviewing are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then obviously you will want to choose a program focused on that certification. Second, ask what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. Doing this is one of the ways to help evaluate the quality of a school’s program. Naturally schools with low rates are ones that you will want to avoid.

Which Programs are Offered? As we previously covered, there are basically two routes to obtaining medical assistant training. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program and obtain 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 earn an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will take approximately 2 years to complete in a junior college or trade school. Whichever program you elect to enroll in, make sure that the colleges you are reviewing offer the type of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Provided? Numerous medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Jeffersonville GA area healthcare providers. They are a great means to receive hands-on clinical experience and training. They can also help students establish relationships within the Jeffersonville medical community. And as an additional perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Assistance Supplied? Finding that first job may be a daunting undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they have a little help from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are researching offer job placement assistance in the Jeffersonville GA area and ask what their placement rate is. If a program has a higher job placement rate for its students, it affirms that it has an excellent reputation within the health care community. It also suggests that it has a large network of employers to help place students in jobs.

How Large are the Classrooms? Class size may be an indicator of how much individual instruction you will get during your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to offer greater access to teachers and one-on-one interaction. If practical, try to sit in on a few classes before selecting a college to experience what the teaching environment is like and just how much attention the students receive.

Is Class Scheduling Convenient? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant school while you continue to work full-time, it’s imperative that the program you enroll in offers classes that fit your schedule. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Jeffersonville GA, make sure that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online program, but you will also need to schedule any internships or practical training that will be required. Additionally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Jeffersonville Georgia?

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

Jeffersonville, Georgia

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 1,209 people, 436 households, and 320 families residing in the city. The population density was 328.8 people per square mile (126.8/km²). There were 496 housing units at an average density of 134.9 per square mile (52.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 36.72% White, 62.37% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.73% of the population.

There were 436 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 23.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city, the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

Pick the Ideal Medical Assistant College Jeffersonville GA

Jeffersonville GA medical assistant studentIt’s imperative to begin your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant school that will furnish the proper training. Regardless if you’re goal is to begin a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your life long career, you need to obtain the right information on available programs prior to making your decision. There are so many colleges offering training nowadays that you can make a selection based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have covered in this article, confirm that the program you select is accredited by a recognized organization, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you intend on taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Duties And Responsibilities. 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 in order to evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the right program you can ultimately start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Jeffersonville GA.

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