How to Choose a Medical Assistant Program near North Woodstock New Hampshire
Now that you have decided to join the gratifying field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near North Woodstock NH, it’s time to select a college that will provide the proper training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? Most potential students begin by checking out the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their homes and then lean 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 important issues as well. You may choose to research some online medical assistant programs as an option also (more on that later). The bottom line is that before you select a college you need to finish your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the schools you are assessing. And to assist you with that task, we have included some questions that you need to ask all of the schools on your “maybe” list. But prior to starting that review, let’s talk a little bit about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are offered.
The Duties of Medical Assistants
The duties of a medical assistant can be varied as well as demanding. Basically their duty is ensure that the North Woodstock NH clinics, hospitals and other medical care facilities where they work operate successfully. Depending on the type or size of facility, they may be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are responsible for giving direct support to the nurses, doctors and other medical practitioners but can also be found working at the front desk or in an office. Some of the possible functions of a medical assistant include:
- Completing insurance forms and submitting claims
- Scheduling and verifying appointments
- Taking vital signs and weighing patients
- Collecting blood and other tissue and fluid specimens
- Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
- Providing basic support during exams and procedures
While medical assistants can perform almost any task they are authorized to under New Hampshire law, some opt to specialize in a particular area and earn certification. Two of the options available are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Medical Assistant Training
Compared to many other medical practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, many North Woodstock NH health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are essentially two options provided for a formal education. The first and fastest path to becoming a medical assistant is to acquire a certificate or diploma. These programs normally take about 1 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 earn an Associate Degree, which are normally two year programs provided at junior and community colleges in addition to technical and vocational schools. They are more comprehensive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They usually 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 Schools
There are a number of accredited medical assistant programs available online also. They are a good option for those who may not have the time to go to classes on campus but could work them in if attended at home. This is an especially good alternative for students who continue working full-time while earning their certificate or degree. As an added benefit, many online programs have cheaper tuitions than the more traditional on-campus alternatives. Ancillary expenses such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies may be reduced as well. Just remember that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can usually be completed in North Woodstock NH area health care facilities. If you can learn without the rigid structure of going to supervised classes on campus, then this approach to getting your education might be the ideal option for you. With the online classes and the practical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is furnished.
Certification Options for Medical Assistants
As stated previously, certification is not a legal mandate, but is an excellent option for graduates who wish to advance their careers. Not only will it help in getting a job after graduation, but it may also enhance initial salary negotiations. Some possible North Woodstock NH medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not attained accredited formal training or certification. One of the most popular and possibly the most highly regarded certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to apply for the CMA exam, a candidate must have graduated or will graduate within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are offered as well, for instance the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.
What to Ask Medical Assistant Programs
Prior to examining your medical assistant school options, you need to choose which type of credential you would like to earn, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online from home. As soon as those choices have been made, you can start the process of comparing medical assistant schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many potential students restrict their searches to the colleges that are nearest to North Woodstock NH with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are several additional factors that you need to look at when assessing programs. To help you with that process, below are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are considering before making your final choice.
Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are many great reasons to make certain that the school you choose is accredited. First, accreditation helps guarantee that the instruction you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you plan on becoming certified, you must complete an accredited program. Two of the acknowledged 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 school is not accredited by one of these agencies, you will not be allowed to take the CMA exam. Also, if you anticipate applying for a student loan or financial aid, they are often not offered for non-accredited programs. And last, as previously mentioned, a number of prospective North Woodstock NH employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.
What is the Program’s Passage Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools develop their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification exams. To begin with, you need to learn which of the certifications the schools you are looking at are preparing their students for. If you are interested in taking the CMA for instance, then naturally you will need to select 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. This is one of the methods to help assess the quality of a college’s program. Of course programs with lower rates are ones that you will want to avoid.
Which Programs are Offered? As we previously covered, there are generally two routes to obtaining medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and receive entry level training in the shortest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, however the average is about one year. Or you can elect to obtain an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will take about two years to accomplish in a junior college or vocational school. Whatever program you choose to enroll in, confirm that the schools you are reviewing offer the kind of program you are interested in.
Are Internships Sponsored? A large number of medical assistant programs sponsor internship programs with North Woodstock NH area health care providers. They are an excellent means to receive hands-on practical training and experience. They can also assist students build relationships within the North Woodstock health care community. And as an additional benefit, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.
Is Job Placement Service Furnished? Getting that very first job may be a difficult undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they receive some assistance from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are interviewing offer job placement assistance in the North Woodstock NH area and find out what their placement rate is. If a college has a high job placement rate for its students, it indicates that it has an excellent reputation within the medical community. It also signifies that it has a wide network of contacts to help place students in positions.
How Big are the Classes? Class size can be an indicator of how much personal attention you will get during your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to provide greater access to instructors and face to face interaction. If convenient, try to attend a couple of classes before selecting a school to experience what the teaching atmosphere is like and just how much attention the students receive.
Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant college while you continue working on a full time basis, it’s important that the school you choose offers classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near North Woodstock NH, make sure that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online program, but you will also have to schedule all internships or clinical training that may be required. Also, find out what the policy is for making up classes that you may have to miss because of work, illness or family issues.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near North Woodstock New Hampshire?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the North Woodstock NH area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
North Woodstock, New Hampshire
It is located along the northern boundary of the town of Woodstock, adjacent to the town of Lincoln. The village is centered on the intersection of U.S. Route 3 (Main St.) and New Hampshire Route 112 (Lost River Rd./Kancamagus Highway). Interstate 93 passes through the east portion of the village, with access from Exit 32 (NH 112). I-93 leads south 21 miles (34 km) to Plymouth and north through Franconia Notch 23 miles (37 km) to Littleton. NH 112 leads east on the Kancamagus Highway 36 miles (58 km) to Conway and west through Kinsman Notch 24 miles (39 km) to Woodsville. US-3 is a local road that runs parallel to I-93.
The Pemigewasset River flows past the center of North Woodstock, joined by the East Branch of the Pemigewasset and Moosilauke Brook at the southern limits of the village. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the North Woodstock CDP has a total area of 0.87 square miles (2.26 km2), of which 0.84 square miles (2.17 km2) are land and 0.03 square miles (0.09 km2), or 3.92%, are water.[1]
As of the census of 2010, there were 528 people, 256 households, and 131 families residing in the CDP. There were 759 housing units, of which 503, or 66.3%, were vacant on Census Day (April 1). 480 of the vacant units were seasonal or vacation properties. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.8% white, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% some other race, and 1.7% from two or more races. 0.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[2]
Choose the Best Medical Assistant Course North Woodstock NH
It’s essential to begin your new career on the right foot by picking a medical assistant school that will provide the proper training. Whether you’re planning to begin a career in health care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your lifetime career, you need to acquire the appropriate info on available programs before making your decision. There are so many schools offering training these days 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 choose is accredited by an acknowledged organization, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially important if you anticipate taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Technician. But irrespective of the type of credential that you plan to earn or if you have decided to attend either an on-campus or online school, make sure 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 North Woodstock NH.
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