Tag Archives: Top Accredited Medical Assistant Schools Oakville CT 06779

Medical Assistant Tech Oakville CT

How to Find the Right Medical Assistant School near Oakville Connecticut

Oakville CT medical assistant checking pulseOnce you have decided to enter the rewarding field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Oakville CT, it’s time to select a college that will provide the proper training. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? Most prospective students begin by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their residences and then gravitate toward those that have the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are extremely important such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are critical factors as well. You might choose to research several online medical assistant programs as an alternative also (more about that later). The bottom line is that before you select a college you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all relevant aspects of the colleges you are reviewing. And to help you with that task, we have provided some questions that you should 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 type of credentials and training that are offered.

The Job of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Oakville CT nursing home patientThe job of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Essentially their job is ensure that the Oakville CT hospitals, clinics and other medical care centers where they work run successfully. Depending on the size or type of facility, they may be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller facilities both. They are responsible for providing direct support to the physicians, nurses and other health practitioners but may also be found working at the front desk or in an office. Some of the many functions of a medical assistant include:

  • Filling out insurance forms and filing claims
  • Setting and verifying appointments
  • Taking vital signs and weighing patients
  • Taking blood and other tissue and fluid samples
  • Preparing instruments and rooms for doctors
  • Giving basic support during examinations and procedures

Although medical assistants can perform almost any duty they are qualified to under Connecticut law, some elect to specialize in a specific area and obtain certification. Two of the choices offered are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Training Programs

Compared to many other medical practitioners, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to obtain a college degree. However, a number of Oakville CT health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are essentially 2 options offered for a formal education. The first and quickest way to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. 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 prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to earn an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs offered at junior and community colleges together with trade and vocational schools. They are more extensive in design than the certificate or diploma programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They often have a practical component involving 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.

Online Medical Assistant Schools

woman attending medical assistant school online in Oakville CTThere are numerous accredited medical assistant programs offered online too. They are a good choice for those who may not have the time to go to classes on campus but could work 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, some online schools have lower tuitions than the more traditional on-campus alternatives. Ancillary expenses such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies may be minimized also. But remember that any requirements for practical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can often be carried out in Oakville CT area healthcare facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of participating in supervised classes on-campus, then this method of getting your education might be the best choice for you. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Programs for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, certification is not a legal requirement, but is a good choice for those who wish to boost their careers. Not only will it help in getting a position after graduation, but it can also enhance preliminary salary negotiations. Some possible Oakville CT medical employers just will not employ a medical assistant that has not obtained certification or accredited formal training. 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). In order to take the CMA exam, a candidate must have graduated or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are available also, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we discussed earlier which are offered by the NHA.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges

Questions to ask Oakville CT medical assistant programsPrior to assessing your medical assistant school alternatives, you have to determine which type of credential you would like to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online at home. Once those decisions have been made, you can begin the process of evaluating medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, some prospective students confine their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Oakville CT with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional issues that you must look at when assessing programs. To help you with that task, below are some questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are thinking about before making your ultimate choice.

Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to make sure that the program you select is accredited. First, accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you plan on becoming certified, you need to complete an accredited program. Two of the acknowledged 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 school is not accredited by one of these organizations, you will not be qualified 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 Oakville CT employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.

What is the School’s Passage Rate? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools develop their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. To start with, you need to determine 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 example, then of course you will need to choose a program targeting that certification. Second, ask what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. Doing this is just one of the methods to help evaluate the quality of a college’s program. Obviously programs with low rates are ones that you will want to avoid.

Which Programs are Available? As we covered earlier, there are basically two paths to acquiring medical assistant training. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program and obtain entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is closer to 1 year. Or you can decide to obtain an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will require approximately 2 years to complete in a junior college or trade school. Whatever program you choose to pursue, make certain that the colleges you are looking at offer the kind of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Sponsored? A large number of medical assistant schools offer internship programs with Oakville CT area medical care providers. They are a great way to get hands-on practical training and experience. They can also assist students develop relationships within the Oakville health care community. And as an added benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Service Offered? Landing that initial job may be a challenging task for medical assistant school graduates unless they obtain a little help from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are evaluating offer job placement assistance in the Oakville CT area and find out what their placement rate is. If a program has a high job placement rate for its students, it indicates that it has an excellent reputation within the health care community. It also suggests that it has a wide network of employers to help place students in jobs.

How Large are the Classes? Class size might be an indicator of how much personal attention you will receive during your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to offer increased access to teachers and face to face interaction. If practical, try to monitor a few classes before enrolling in a school to observe 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 essential that the school you enroll in offers classes that fit your schedule. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Oakville CT, make sure that those times are offered. You may be able to fit your classes in easier with an online school, but you will still have to schedule any internships or practical training that may 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 issues.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Oakville Connecticut?

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

Christopher Smith (academic)

Christopher John Smith, FSA(Scot), FRHistS, FSA, FRSA (born 1965 in Aylesbury, England) is a British academic and classicist specialising in early Ancient Rome. He is Professor of Ancient History at the University of St Andrews and was formerly Director of the British School at Rome.[1][2]

Smith was born in Aylesbury, England in 1965. He attended Aylesbury Grammar School. He then attended Keble College, University of Oxford to read a Bachelor of Arts in Literae Humaniores, graduating in 1988.[3] He holds a D Phil also from Keble College awarded in 1992.[citation needed]

His research explores constitutionalism and state formation with particular emphasis on the development of Rome as a political and social community and how this was represented in ancient historical writing and subsequent political thought.

Select the Ideal Medical Assistant Program Oakville CT

Oakville CT medical assistant studentIt’s essential to start your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant college that will provide the appropriate training. Regardless if you’re planning to launch a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you need to obtain the right information on available programs before making your decision. There are such a large number of schools 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, make certain that the program you choose 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 Tech. But regardless 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 compare programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the best program you can subsequently start a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Oakville CT.

More Medical Locations in Connecticut

  • Medical Assistant Education Requirements Danielson CT
  • Medical Assistant Courses Near Me Weatogue CT
  • Certified Medical Assistant Program Bozrah CT
  • Medical Assistant Study Naugatuck CT
  • Medical Assistant Programs Near Me Riverside CT
  • Medical Assistant Requirements Sharon CT
  • How Long Are Medical Assistant Courses Georgetown CT
  • Medical Assistant Associate Degree Brooklyn CT
  • 6 Month Program For Medical Assistant Eastford CT
  • Medical Assistant Course Cost Harwinton CT
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 115

    Velocity Urgent Care
    19 Reviews
    Urgent Care
    Phone:
    365 Queen St, Southington, CT 06489

    Lincoln College of New England
    2 Reviews
    Colleges & Universities
    Phone:
    2279 Mount Vernon Rd, Southington, CT 06489

    Docs Urgent Care Waterbury-Chase
    2 Reviews
    Urgent Care, Chiropractors, Family Practice
    Phone:
    279 Chase Ave, Waterbury, CT 06704

    Hamden Medical Services
    4 Reviews
    Family Practice
    Phone:
    2337 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT 06518

    Cheshire Dermatology
    5 Reviews
    Dermatologists
    Phone:
    677 S Main St, Cheshire, CT 06410

    Mediquick-Midstate Medical Center
    4 Reviews
    Medical Centers, Urgent Care
    Phone:
    883 Paddock Ave, Meriden, CT 06450

    Wallingford Family Practice
    3 Reviews
    Family Practice
    Phone:
    950 Yale Ave, Wallingford, CT 06492

    Ridley-lowell Business & Technical Institute
    3 Reviews
    Vocational & Technical School
    Phone:
    44 Shelter Rock Rd, Danbury, CT 06810

    Concentra Urgent Care
    6 Reviews
    Occupational Therapy, Urgent Care, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    900 Northrop Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492

    Lincoln Technical Institute
    1 Reviews
    Colleges & Universities, Vocational & Technical School, Adult Education
    Phone:
    8 Progress Dr, Shelton, CT 06484