Medical Assistant Schools Pittstown NJ - Find Medical Assistant Programs Near You

How to Enroll In a Medical Assistant School near Pittstown New Jersey

Pittstown NJ medical assistant checking pulse Once you have decided to enter the rewarding field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Pittstown NJ, it’s time to choose a school that will furnish the appropriate training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? A number of future students start by checking out the medical assistant schools that are closest to their homes and then gravitate toward those that have the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are extremely important such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important issues also. You may decide 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 finish your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the schools you are examining. And to assist you with that process, we have included several questions that you should ask each of the schools 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 type of credentials and training that are offered.

The Job of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Pittstown NJ nursing home patient The role of a medical assistant can be varied as well as challenging. Essentially their job is to make sure that the Pittstown NJ clinics, hospitals and other healthcare institutions where they work run efficiently. Based on the type or size of facility, they can be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are responsible for giving direct assistance to the nurses, doctors and other medical professionals but can also be found working at the front desk or in an office. Some of the potential functions of a medical assistant include:

Filling out insurance forms and submitting claims
Scheduling and verifying appointments
Weighing and taking patients vital signs
Taking blood and other fluid and tissue samples
Preparing instruments and rooms for doctors
Providing general support during examinations and procedures

Even though medical assistants may carry out almost any activity they are authorized to under New Jersey law, some opt to specialize in a specific area and obtain certification. Two of the choices offered are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Courses

Compared to most other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not required to become certified, licensed, or to obtain a college degree. However, many Pittstown NJ health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are basically 2 options offered for a formal education. The first and fastest way to becoming a medical assistant is to acquire a diploma or a certificate. These programs usually take about a year to finish, some as little as six to nine months. They are developed to teach the basics of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are usually two year programs offered at community and junior colleges together with vocational and technical schools. They are more comprehensive in nature than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant training. They frequently have a practical component requiring an internship with a local medical practice. Associate Degrees are routinely a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a four year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.

Medical Assistant Online Schools

woman attending medical assistant school online in Pittstown NJ There are many accredited medical assistant programs offered online as well. They are an excellent option for students who might not have the time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if attended at home. This is a particularly good solution for students who continue to work full time while pursuing their certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, some online schools have lower tuitions than the more traditional on campus options. Supplemental costs including those for commuting, textbooks and school supplies may be reduced as well. Just remember that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can often be carried out in Pittstown NJ area health care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of attending supervised classes on campus, then this mode of getting your education might be the right choice for you. With the online lessons and the practical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Programs for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, becoming certified is not a legal mandate, but is a good choice for graduates who wish to advance their careers. Not only will it help in attaining a position after graduation, but it can also help with initial salary negotiations. Many possible Pittstown NJ medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not received accredited formal training or certification. The most popular and perhaps the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to apply for the CMA examination, a candidate must have graduated or will be graduating within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are available also, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.

Concerns to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Pittstown NJ medical assistant programs Before you can start reviewing your medical assistant school alternatives, you need to determine which type of credential you would like to earn, and if you would prefer attending classes on-campus or online at home. As soon as those decisions have been made, you can start the process of researching medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, some prospective students confine their searches to the schools that are nearest to Pittstown NJ with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional considerations that you should look at when assessing programs. To help you with that process, below are some questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are considering before making your ultimate choice.

Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are several great reasons to make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited. First, accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you plan on becoming certified, you must 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 program is not accredited by either of these organizations, you will not be eligible to take the CMA examination. Also, if you plan on applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as mentioned previously, a number of prospective Pittstown NJ employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.

What is the Program’s Passing Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant schools create their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification exams. First, you need to learn which of the certifications the programs you are looking at are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then naturally you will need to enroll in a program focused on that certification. Second, find out 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. Obviously schools with lower rates are those that you will prefer to avoid.

Which Programs are Available? As we previously covered, there are generally two routes to getting medical assistant training. You can choose a diploma or certificate program and receive entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, however the average is about one year. Or you can choose to earn an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will take about two years to finish in a community college or vocational school. Whichever program you decide to enroll in, make sure that the schools you are considering provide the kind of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Provided? A large number of medical assistant colleges sponsor internship programs with Pittstown NJ area health care providers. They are a great means to receive hands-on practical experience and training. They can also assist students develop relationships within the Pittstown health care community. And as an additional benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting that first job may be a difficult undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain some help from a job placement program. Verify that the schools you are interviewing offer job placement assistance in the Pittstown NJ area and find out what their placement rate is. If a college has a high job placement rate for its graduates, it indicates that it has a good reputation within the health care community. It also suggests that it has a wide network of contacts to help place students in positions.

How Large are the Classrooms? Class size might be an indication of how much individual attention you will get during your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to furnish increased access to instructors and face to face interaction. If possible, try to sit in on a couple of classes before enrolling in a program to see what the teaching atmosphere is like and how much attention the students receive.

Is Class Scheduling Practical? If you plan on attending a medical assistant school while you continue to work on a full time basis, it’s imperative that the school you choose provides classes that fit your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Pittstown NJ, make certain that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will still need 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 issues.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Pittstown New Jersey?

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

Pittstown, New Jersey

Pittstown is an unincorporated community located at the intersection of the boundaries of Alexandria, Franklin and Union townships in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States.[4][5] The area is named after William Pitt. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 08867. The area was named Hofftown in the 18th century after landowner Lawrence Hoff.[6]

Enroll in the Right Medical Assistant School Pittstown NJ

Pittstown NJ medical assistant student It’s imperative to start your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant program that will provide the proper training. Regardless if you’re goal is to launch a career in healthcare starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your lifetime career, you need to get the right information on available programs before making your selection. There are such a large number of schools providing training nowadays that you can make a selection based upon your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have discussed in this article, make sure that the program you choose is accredited by an acknowledged organization, such as 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 Schools. But irrespective 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 picking the best program you can subsequently start a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Pittstown NJ.