Registered Medical Assistant Certification Westfield IN

How to Select a Medical Assistant Program near Westfield Indiana

Westfield IN medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have made a decision to become a part of the gratifying field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Westfield IN, it’s time to select a school that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? Many prospective students begin by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then gravitate 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 critical issues also. You may want to look into a few online medical assistant programs as an alternative also (more about that later). The main point is that before you select a program you must complete your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the colleges you are assessing. And to assist you with that process, we have provided some questions that you need to ask each of the schools on your “maybe” list. But before we start that review, let’s talk a little bit about the function of a medical assistant and the type of credentials and training that are available.

The Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Westfield IN nursing home patientThe job of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Primarily their job is to make sure that the Westfield IN hospitals, clinics and other medical care institutions where they work run efficiently. Based on the type or size 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 medical professionals but may also be found performing duties at the front desk or in an office. A few of the possible responsibilities of a medical assistant include:

  • Completing insurance forms and filing claims
  • Setting and confirming appointments
  • Taking vital signs and weighing patients
  • Taking blood and other fluid and tissue samples
  • Preparing rooms and instruments for doctors
  • Supplying basic support during exams and procedures

Although medical assistants can perform almost any activity they are authorized to under Indiana law, some prefer to specialize in a specific area and earn certification. Two of the options offered 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 Programs

In contrast to many other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to have a college degree. However, a number of Westfield IN health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that are certified. There are basically two options offered for a formal education. The first and quickest path to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a diploma or a certificate. These programs typically take about one year to complete, some as little as six to nine months. They are designed to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to obtain an Associate Degree, which are usually two year programs provided at junior and community colleges together with trade and vocational schools. They are more extensive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They usually have a clinical element involving an internship with a local healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are commonly 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 Classes

woman attending medical assistant school online in Westfield INThere are a number of accredited medical assistant programs offered online as well. They are a good choice for those who might not have the time to go to classes on campus but could work them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good alternative for students who continue working full time while pursuing their degree or certificate. As an additional benefit, some online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on-campus alternatives. Ancillary costs including those for commuting, textbooks and school supplies may be lessened also. Just remember that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can often be completed in Westfield IN area healthcare facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of going to supervised classes on-campus, then this mode of getting your education might be the best option for you. Between the online classes and the clinical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As previously mentioned, becoming certified is not a legal mandate, but is an excellent idea for individuals who wish to advance their careers. Not only will it help in attaining employment after graduation, but it can also help with initial salary negotiations. Some potential Westfield IN medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not obtained accredited formal training or certification. Among the most popular and perhaps the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to sit for the CMA examination, a candidate must have graduated or will graduate within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are offered as well, such as the CCMA and the CMAA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.

Points to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Westfield IN medical assistant programsPrior to reviewing your medical assistant school alternatives, you must choose which type of credential you want to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on-campus or online at home. After those selections have been made, you can start the process of evaluating medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, some potential students restrict their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Westfield IN with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifiers, they are by no means the only ones. There are a number of additional issues that you need to explore when assessing programs. To help you with that process, following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are considering before making your final choice.

Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to ensure that the program you choose 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 must complete an accredited program. Two of the approved organizations 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 qualified to take the CMA examination. Additionally, if you intend on applying for a student loan or financial aid, they are often not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, many prospective Westfield IN employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.

What is the School’s Passage Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools design their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification exams. To begin with, you need to determine which of the certifications the programs you are looking at are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for instance, then naturally you will need to select a program focused on that certification. Second, learn 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 school’s program. Naturally schools with lower rates are those that you will want to eliminate.

Which Programs are Offered? As we covered earlier, there are basically 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, although the average is about one year. Or you can choose to obtain an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will require approximately 2 years to finish in a junior college or vocational school. Whatever program you choose to pursue, confirm that the schools you are looking at offer the kind of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Sponsored? Many medical assistant programs offer internship programs with Westfield IN area medical care providers. They are an excellent method to obtain hands-on practical experience and training. They may also assist students establish relationships within the Westfield medical community. And as an added perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Service Provided? Getting that first job can be a challenging undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they have some help from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are researching offer job placement assistance in the Westfield IN area and find out what their placement rate is. If a program has a higher job placement rate for its students, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the medical community. It also signifies that it has a large network of employers to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classrooms? Class size can be an indication of how much personal attention you will get throughout your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to furnish greater access to instructors and face to face interaction. If practical, try to sit in on a few classes before enrolling in a program to witness what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Convenient? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant program while you continue to work on a full time basis, it’s essential that the college you choose provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Westfield IN, make certain that those times are available. You may be able to fit your classes in easier with an online college, but you will also need to schedule any clinical training or internships 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 emergencies.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Westfield Indiana?

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

Westfield Group

Westfield Group was an Australian shopping centre company that existed from 1960 to 2014, when it split into two independent companies: Scentre Group, which now owns and operates the Australian and New Zealand Westfield shopping centre portfolio; and Westfield Corporation, which continued to own and operate the American and European center portfolio.[2]

Westfield Group undertook ownership, development, design, construction, funds/asset management, property management, leasing, and marketing activities. The multinational company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and had interests in and operated one of the world's largest shopping centre portfolios with investment interests in 103 shopping centres across Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, Croatia and Brazil, encompassing around 23,000 retail outlets and total assets under management in excess of A$63 billion.[3]

The Westfield Group had origins in the western suburbs of Sydney. The first development was named "Westfield Place", and opened in July 1959 in Blacktown.[4] The name Westfield is derived from "west" related to the West Sydney location, and "field" due to having located on subdivided farmland. The centre was opened by John Saunders and Frank Lowy.[4]

Choose the Best Medical Assistant School Westfield IN

Westfield IN medical assistant studentIt’s essential to start your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant program that will provide the right training. Whether you’re planning to launch a career in healthcare 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 prior to making your decision. There are so many colleges offering training these days that you can make a selection based on your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have addressed in this article, make sure that the program you pick is accredited by an acknowledged agency, for example the CAAHEP. This is particularly important if you anticipate taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Registered Medical Assistant Certification. 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 provided so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the ideal program you can subsequently start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Westfield IN.

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