How to Find the Right Medical Assistant Training School near Marlette Michigan
Now that you have made a decision to become a part of the rewarding field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Marlette MI, it’s time to select a school that will furnish the appropriate training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately pick the best one? Many future students start by evaluating 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, job assistance and internship programs are critical factors also. You might choose to take a look at some online medical assistant programs as an option as well (more about that later). The main point is that before you select a college you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the colleges you are evaluating. And to help you with that task, we have furnished some questions that you should ask all of the colleges on your short list. But before we start that review, let’s talk a little bit about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of credentials and training that are offered.
The Job of a Medical Assistant
The duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Essentially their duty is ensure that the Marlette MI clinics, hospitals and other medical care institutions where they work run efficiently. Depending on the size or type of facility, they can be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are responsible for providing direct support to the physicians, nurses and other health professionals but may also be found performing duties in an office or at the front desk. Some of the potential duties of a medical assistant include:
- Completing insurance forms and filing claims
- Scheduling and verifying appointments
- Taking vital signs and weighing patients
- Taking blood and other tissue and fluid specimens
- Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
- Giving general support during exams and procedures
While medical assistants can carry out almost any duty they are qualified to under Michigan law, some prefer to specialize in a specific area and obtain certification. Two of the options 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
Compared to many other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to obtain a college degree. However, many Marlette MI health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are essentially 2 options provided for a formal education. The first and quickest way to becoming a medical assistant is to acquire a diploma or a certificate. These programs generally take about one year to finish, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are created to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to attain an Associate Degree, which are normally 2 year programs offered at junior and community colleges together with technical and vocational schools. They are more comprehensive in design than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant training. They often have a clinical component requiring an internship with a local healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are commonly a pre-requisite for and credits can be transferred to a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a related field.
Online Medical Assistant Colleges
There are numerous accredited medical assistant programs available online too. They are an excellent choice for individuals who may not have 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 to work full-time while attaining their degree or certificate. As an added benefit, many online programs have cheaper tuitions than the more traditional on-campus alternatives. Supplemental expenses including those for commuting, textbooks and school supplies may be reduced as well. Just keep in mind that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can typically be carried out in Marlette MI area healthcare facilities. If you can learn without the rigid structure of going to supervised classes on-campus, then this method of receiving your training may be the ideal choice for you. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything necessary to attain proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.
Certification Options for Medical Assistants
As stated previously, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent idea for individuals who wish to boost their careers. Not only will it help in obtaining a job after graduation, but it can also help with initial salary negotiations. A number of potential Marlette MI medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not attained accredited formal training or certification. One of the most popular and possibly 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 be a graduate or will graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are offered as well, for instance the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.
Topics to Ask Medical Assistant Schools
Before you can start examining your medical assistant school alternatives, you must determine which kind of credential you want to earn, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online at home. Once those selections have been made, you can begin the process of evaluating medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, some students limit their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Marlette MI with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional considerations that you must examine when researching programs. To assist you with that task, below are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are considering before making your ultimate choice.
Is the Medical Assistant School Accredited? There are several great reasons to confirm that the school you choose is accredited. First, accreditation helps guarantee that the instruction you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you intend to become certified, you need to enroll in 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 agencies, you will not be qualified to take the CMA examination. Also, if you intend on applying for a student loan or financial aid, they are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, a number of potential Marlette MI employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.
What is the School’s Passing Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant colleges develop their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification exams. To begin with, you must learn which of the certifications the colleges you are looking at are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then naturally you will need to select a program targeting that certification. Second, find out what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is one of the methods to help assess the quality of a college’s program. Naturally schools with low rates are ones that you will prefer to eliminate.
Which Programs are Provided? As we covered earlier, there are generally two paths to getting medical assistant training. You can choose a certificate or diploma 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 decide to acquire an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will take approximately two years to complete in a junior college or vocational school. Whatever program you decide to pursue, verify that the colleges you are looking at provide the type of program you have an interest in.
Are Internships Provided? Numerous medical assistant schools offer internship programs with Marlette MI area healthcare providers. They are a great means to get hands-on clinical training and experience. They can also assist students establish relationships within the Marlette medical community. And as an added perk, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews as well.
Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting that first job can be a challenging undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they have some help from a job placement program. Confirm that the colleges you are evaluating offer job placement assistance in the Marlette MI area and ask what their placement rate is. If a school has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it indicates that it has an excellent reputation within the healthcare community. It also signifies that it has a broad network of employers to help place students in jobs.
How Big are the Classrooms? Class size might be an indicator of how much individual attention you will receive throughout your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to offer increased access to teachers and face to face interaction. If convenient, try to attend a couple of classes before choosing a program to witness what the teaching atmosphere is like and how much attention the students receive.
Is Class Scheduling Practical? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant school while you continue to work full-time, it’s imperative that the program you choose provides classes that fit your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Marlette MI, confirm that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online college, but you will also need to schedule all internships or practical training that may be required. Also, find out what the policy is for making up classes that you may have to miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Marlette Michigan?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Marlette MI area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Marlette, Michigan
Marlette was first settled in the mid-19th century by people from Ontario who sought tall timber and fertile soil. The city name was derived from the family of settlers, "Marlatt" who carved their name on a log shanty.[6]
The Marlette ZIP code 48453 also serves all of Marlette Township, except for the northeast corner, as well as parts of southern Lamotte Township, the southwest part of Elmer Township, the northwest part of Flynn Township, the northeast corner of Elk Township, parts of northern Burnside Township in Lapeer County and the southeast corner of Koylton Township in Tuscola County.[7]
Marlette's commercial radio station, WBGV 92.5 FM, features a country music format. It is owned by Sanilac/GB Broadcasting, who also owns WMIC and WTGV, in nearby Sandusky. Marlette is also served by [1] Smile FM broadcasting on 88.1 FM (WHYT) from Imlay City and 103.7 FM (WCZE) from Harbor Beach with Contemporary Christian Music radio, local news and weather.
Choose the Right Medical Assistant Training Program Marlette MI
It’s essential to begin your new career on the right foot by picking a medical assistant school that will furnish the proper training. Regardless if you’re objective is to launch a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your life long career, you must acquire the right information on available programs before making your decision. There are so many schools providing training these days that you can make a decision based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have covered in this article, verify that the program you select is accredited by an acknowledged organization, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially important if you anticipate taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in How Long To Become A Medical Assistant. But irrespective 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, be sure to ask the questions we have supplied so you can evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the best program you can subsequently start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Marlette MI.
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