Medical Assistant Training Huntington Woods MI - Find Medical Assistant Programs Near You

How to Enroll In a Medical Assistant School near Huntington Woods Michigan

Huntington Woods MI medical assistant checking pulse Once you have made a decision to join the rewarding field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Huntington Woods MI, it’s time to select a school that will provide the right training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? Many prospective students start by researching the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then lean 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 as well. You may choose to research a few 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 pertinent aspects of the colleges you are reviewing. And to help you with that process, we have provided some questions that you need to ask all of the schools on your “maybe” list. But prior to starting that review, let’s briefly talk about the role of a medical assistant and the type of training and credentials that are available.

The Job of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Huntington Woods MI nursing home patient The function of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Basically their function is to make sure that the Huntington Woods MI hospitals, clinics and other healthcare centers where they work operate successfully. Depending 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 tasked with giving direct assistance to the physicians, nurses and other health practitioners but may also be found performing duties in an office or at the front desk. Some of the possible duties of a medical assistant include:

Filling out insurance forms and filing claims
Setting and verifying appointments
Weighing and taking patients vital signs
Taking blood and other fluid and tissue samples
Preparing instruments and rooms for physicians
Providing basic support during examinations and procedures

While medical assistants can carry out almost any duty they are authorized to under Michigan law, some opt to specialize in a particular area and obtain certification. Two of the choices 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

In contrast to most other medical professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, a number of Huntington Woods MI health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are essentially 2 choices provided for a formal education. The first and shortest route to becoming a medical assistant is to earn a diploma or a certificate. These programs typically take about 1 year to finish, some as little as 6 to 9 months. They are created to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to earn an Associate Degree, which are usually two year programs available at junior and community colleges in addition to trade and vocational schools. They are more extensive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They often have a clinical element requiring an internship with a local healthcare practice. 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 Classes

woman attending medical assistant school online in Huntington Woods MI There are a number of accredited medical assistant programs available online as well. They are an excellent choice for students who might not have time to go to classes on campus but could work them in if attended at home. This is a particularly good alternative for students who continue working full-time while pursuing their certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, some online programs have cheaper tuitions than the more traditional on campus options. Ancillary expenses such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies might be minimized also. Just keep in mind that any requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can usually be completed in Huntington Woods MI area medical care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of attending supervised classes on campus, then this method of getting your training might be the ideal option for you. With the online lessons and the clinical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, certification is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent idea for individuals who want to advance their careers. It will not only help in obtaining employment after graduation, but it may also help with initial salary negotiations. Some possible Huntington Woods MI medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not attained certification or accredited formal training. One of the most popular and possibly the most highly regarded certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to apply for the CMA exam, a candidate must be a graduate or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are offered as well, such as the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.

Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Huntington Woods MI medical assistant programs Before you can start evaluating your medical assistant school alternatives, you have to choose which type of credential you would like to earn, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online at home. After those choices have been made, you can start the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many students confine their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Huntington Woods MI with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional factors that you must examine when evaluating programs. To assist you with that process, following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to confirm that the school you enroll in is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps guarantee that the education 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 acknowledged 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 agencies, you will not be eligible to take the CMA examination. Additionally, if you anticipate obtaining a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as mentioned previously, a number of prospective Huntington Woods MI 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 develop their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. First, you need to learn which of the certifications the programs you are considering are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then of course you will want to choose a program focused on that certification. Next, ask what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is just one of the means to help assess the quality of a college’s program. Of course schools with low rates are ones that you will prefer to avoid.

Which Programs are Available? As we previously covered, there are generally 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, starting at just 6 months, although the average is closer to 1 year. Or you can choose to earn an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will take about two years to complete in a community college or vocational school. Whichever program you elect to enroll in, make sure that the colleges you are considering provide the type of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Offered? A large number of medical assistant programs sponsor internship programs with Huntington Woods MI area healthcare providers. They are an excellent method to obtain hands-on practical training and experience. They may also help students build relationships within the Huntington Woods medical community. And as an additional perk, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Getting that first job can be a challenging task for medical assistant school graduates unless they receive some assistance from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are interviewing provide job placement assistance in the Huntington Woods MI area and find out what their placement rate is. If a school has a high job placement rate for its students, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the healthcare community. It also signifies that it has a large network of contacts to help place students in positions.

How Large are the Classes? Class size may 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 furnish increased access to teachers and one-on-one interaction. If practical, try to sit in on a few classes before enrolling in a college to see what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Accessible? If you plan on attending a medical assistant school while you continue working full-time, it’s important that the program you choose provides classes that accommodate your schedule. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Huntington Woods MI, make certain that those times are available. You may be able to fit your classes in more conveniently with an online college, but you will still have to schedule any clinical training or internships that may be required. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Huntington Woods Michigan?

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

Huntington Woods, Michigan

Huntington Woods is a suburb of Detroit, located in southeastern Oakland County, Michigan. The population was 6,238 at the 2010 census.[6] Huntington Woods is situated along the Woodward Corridor and is bounded by Ten and Eleven Mile Roads to the north and south, and by Woodward Avenue and Coolidge Highway to the east and west. The city is widely known as the "City of Homes", as it consists mostly of residences.[7]Rackham Golf Course is located along the southern end of the city. The western portion of the Detroit Zoo is located within the city limits and is a contributor to its tax base.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.47 square miles (3.81 km2), all land.[1] Rackham Golf Course, owned by the city of Detroit, makes up 20% (0.3 square miles) of the total area of the city.[8]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 6,238 people, 2,354 households, and 1,784 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,243.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,638.4/km2). There were 2,429 housing units at an average density of 1,652.4 per square mile (638.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.0% White, 1.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

Choose the Right Medical Assistant Training Program Huntington Woods MI

Huntington Woods MI medical assistant student It’s imperative to begin your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant school that will furnish the right training. Whether you’re objective is to launch a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your lifetime career, you need to acquire the right info on available programs prior to making your selection. There are so many colleges providing training nowadays that you can make a decision based on your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have discussed in this article, verify that the program you decide on is accredited by an acknowledged agency, for example the CAAHEP. This is particularly critical if you anticipate taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Training. But regardless of the kind of credential that you intend to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an on-campus or online school, make sure to ask the questions we have supplied in order to evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the ideal program you can subsequently start a gratifying career as a medical assistant in Huntington Woods MI.