How to Enroll In a Medical Assistant School Program near Skandia Michigan
Once you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Skandia MI, it’s time to choose a school that will furnish the proper training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently pick the right one? A number of potential students start by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are closest to their homes and then gravitate toward those that have the lowest tuition. While location and cost are extremely important such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are critical issues also. You may want to research a few online medical assistant programs as an alternative as well (more about that later). The bottom line is that prior to selecting a college you need to finish your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are assessing. And to assist you with that process, we have provided a few 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 responsibilities of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are available.
The Duties of Medical Assistants
The role of a medical assistant can be varied as well as challenging. Essentially their role is ensure that the Skandia MI hospitals, clinics and other healthcare centers where they work operate 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 nurses, doctors and other medical professionals but can also be found performing duties at the front desk or in an office. Some of the potential responsibilities of a medical assistant include:
- Filling out insurance forms and filing claims
- Scheduling and confirming appointments
- Weighing and taking patients vital signs
- Collecting blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
- Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
- Providing basic support during exams and procedures
Even though medical assistants can carry out almost any task they are qualified to under Michigan 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 Training Courses
Unlike many other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become certified, licensed, or to have a college degree. However, a number of Skandia MI health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that are certified. There are generally two choices provided for a formal education. The first and fastest way to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a diploma or a certificate. These programs usually take about one year to complete, a few as little as six to nine months. They are created to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to attain an Associate Degree, which are usually two year programs provided at community and junior colleges as well as vocational and technical schools. They are more extensive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. 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 four year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a related field.
Medical Assistant Online Colleges
There are many accredited medical assistant programs accessible online also. They are an excellent option for individuals who might not have time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if accessible at home. This is a particularly good alternative for students who continue working full-time while attaining their certificate or degree. As an added benefit, a number of online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more traditional on-campus options. Ancillary costs such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies might be minimized also. But remember that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can usually be carried out in Skandia MI area medical care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of participating in supervised classes on-campus, then this mode of receiving your education might be the best option for you. Between 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 previously mentioned, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good choice for individuals who want to advance their careers. It will not only help in obtaining a position after graduation, but it can also help with preliminary salary negotiations. A number of potential Skandia MI medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not received accredited formal training or certification. Among the most popular and arguably the most highly regarded 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 graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are available as well, including the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.
Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Schools
Before you can start examining your medical assistant school options, you have to determine which type of credential you would like to earn, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online from home. Once those selections have been made, you can begin the process of comparing medical assistant schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many prospective students confine their searches to the schools that are nearest to Skandia MI with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional issues that you should examine when assessing schools. To assist you with that process, below are some questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are thinking about before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to confirm that the program you choose is accredited. First, accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you intend to become certified, you need to enroll in an accredited program. Two of the accepted organizations for accreditation are the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). If your program is not accredited by one of these organizations, you will not be allowed to take the CMA examination. Also, if you intend on obtaining a student loan or financial assistance, they are often not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, as mentioned previously, many potential Skandia MI employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.
What is the Program’s Passage Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant colleges create their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. First, you must learn which of the certifications the colleges you are reviewing are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then of course you will want to choose a program concentrating on that certification. Second, learn what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. Doing this is one of the methods to help assess the quality of a college’s program. Obviously programs with lower rates are ones that you will want to eliminate.
Which Programs are Offered? As we previously covered, there are generally two paths to obtaining medical assistant training. You can choose a diploma or certificate program and receive entry level training in the fastest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, however the average is closer to 1 year. Or you can opt to obtain an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will take approximately two years to complete in a junior college or vocational school. Whatever program you elect to enroll in, make certain that the colleges you are considering provide the kind of program you have an interest in.
Are Internships Available? Numerous medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Skandia MI area medical care providers. They are a great means to receive hands-on practical training and experience. They may also assist students establish relationships within the Skandia healthcare community. And as an added benefit, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding that initial job can be a difficult undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain a little assistance from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are evaluating offer job placement assistance in the Skandia MI area and find out what their placement rate is. If a program has a higher job placement rate for its students, it indicates that it has an excellent reputation within the healthcare community. It also suggests that it has a wide network of employers to help place students in jobs.
How Big are the Classes? Class size can be an indication of how much individual instruction you will get during your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to provide increased access to teachers and one-on-one interaction. If convenient, try to monitor a few classes before enrolling in a college to observe what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students get.
Is Class Scheduling Practical? If you plan on attending a medical assistant college while you continue to work full time, it’s essential that the college you select offers classes that fit your schedule. If you have to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Skandia MI, make sure that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in more conveniently with an online college, but you will also need to schedule all clinical training or internships that might be required. Also, ask what the policy is for making up classes that you might have to miss due to work, illness or family issues.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Skandia Michigan?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Skandia MI area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Skandia Township, Michigan
Skandia Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 826 at the 2010 census. The township contains the Dukes Research Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 72.1 square miles (187 km2), of which 72.0 square miles (186 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.08%) is water.
As of the census[1] of 2010, there were 826 people, 350 households, and 242 families residing in the township. The population density was 11.4 per square mile (4.4/km²). There were 478 housing units at an average density of 6.6 per square mile (2.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.5% White, 2.4% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Black or African American, 0% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.
Select the Ideal Medical Assistant College Skandia MI
It’s essential to start your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant program that will furnish the right training. Regardless if you’re planning to launch a career in health 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 selection. There are so many schools 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, verify that the program you decide on is accredited by a recognized organization, for example the CAAHEP. This is particularly important if you intend on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Technician. But irrespective 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, don’t forget to ask the questions we have supplied so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the right program you can subsequently start a gratifying career as a medical assistant in Skandia MI.
More Medical Locations in Michigan
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
1 Reviews 