How to Select a Medical Assistant School Program near Hobbs New Mexico
Now that you have decided to enter the rewarding field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Hobbs NM, it’s time to select a college that will furnish the appropriate training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? Most prospective students begin by researching the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their homes and then gravitate toward those that have the lowest tuition. While cost and location are very important, such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important factors as well. You may choose to look into a few online medical assistant programs as an option also (more on that later). The bottom line is that prior to selecting a college you must finish your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are examining. And to help you with that task, we have included a few questions that you need to ask all of the colleges on your “maybe” list. But before we start that review, let’s briefly talk about the function of a medical assistant and the type of training and credentials that are available.
The Function of a Medical Assistant
The function of a medical assistant can be varied as well as challenging. Essentially their job is to make sure that the Hobbs NM clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities where they work run successfully. Depending on the size or type of facility, they can be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are tasked with giving direct support to the nurses, doctors and other health professionals but can also be found performing duties in an office or at the front desk. Some of the many functions of a medical assistant include:
- Filling out insurance forms and submitting claims
- Scheduling and verifying appointments
- Weighing and taking patients vital signs
- Collecting blood and other fluid and tissue samples
- Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
- Providing general support during examinations and procedures
Although medical assistants can carry out almost any activity they are authorized to under New Mexico law, some choose 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) provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Medical Assistant Programs
In contrast to most other medical practitioners, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, many Hobbs NM health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are generally 2 options offered for a formal education. The first and shortest way to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. These programs normally take about a year to complete, some as little as 6 to 9 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 typically 2 year programs provided at community and junior colleges together with vocational and technical schools. They are more expansive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They frequently have a clinical component involving an internship with a local medical facility. 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 Colleges
There are a number of accredited medical assistant programs available online as well. They are an excellent option for individuals who may not have time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good choice for students who continue working full time while attaining their degree or certificate. As an extra benefit, a number of online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on-campus alternatives. Ancillary costs such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies might be minimized as well. Just bear in mind that any requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can usually be carried out in Hobbs NM area healthcare facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of attending supervised classes on campus, then this mode of receiving your education may be the best option for you. Between 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 previously mentioned, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good option for individuals who want to advance their careers. Not only will it help in attaining a position after graduation, but it can also enhance preliminary salary negotiations. Some possible Hobbs NM medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not received 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 sit for the CMA examination, a candidate must have graduated or will graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are offered as well, such as the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.
What to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges
Prior to reviewing your medical assistant school options, you need to determine which kind of credential you would like to earn, and if you want to attend classes on campus or online at home. As soon as those selections have been made, you can begin the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of students limit their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Hobbs NM with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional factors that you must look at when researching programs. To help you with that process, following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are considering before making your final choice.
Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are a number of great reasons to confirm that the school you select is accredited. First, accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you plan on becoming certified, you must enroll in an accredited program. Two of the accepted 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 qualified to take the CMA exam. Additionally, if you plan on obtaining a student loan or financial aid, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, a number of prospective Hobbs NM employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.
What is the School’s Passage Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant colleges create their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification exams. First, you must learn which of the certifications the schools you are reviewing are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for instance, then of course you will need to enroll in a program concentrating on that certification. Second, ask what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. This is just one of the means to help evaluate the quality of a college’s program. Naturally schools with low rates are ones that you will prefer to avoid.
Which Credentials are Available? As we previously covered, there are basically two paths to acquiring medical assistant training. You can select a certificate or diploma program and receive entry level training in the shortest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, although the average is closer to one year. Or you can decide to obtain an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will take approximately two years to finish in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you choose to enroll in, make certain that the colleges you are looking at provide the kind of program you are interested in.
Are Internships Sponsored? Many medical assistant colleges sponsor internship programs with Hobbs NM area medical care providers. They are an excellent way to get hands-on practical experience and training. They may also help students establish relationships within the Hobbs health care community. And as an additional perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.
Is Job Placement Service Offered? Getting that first job may be a challenging undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they obtain some help from a job placement program. Confirm that the colleges you are interviewing offer job placement assistance in the Hobbs NM area and find out what their placement rate is. If a college has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it indicates that it has an excellent reputation within the healthcare community. It also indicates that it has a wide network of contacts to help place students in positions.
How Big are the Classes? Class size can be an indication of how much personal attention you will receive throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to offer increased access to instructors and one-on-one interaction. If convenient, try to sit in on a few classes before choosing a program to see what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students receive.
Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant program while you continue working full time, it’s imperative that the college you enroll in offers classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hobbs NM, confirm that those times are available. You may be able to fit your classes in more conveniently with an online school, but you will still have to schedule any clinical training or internships that might be required. Also, ask what the policy is for making up classes that you may have to miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Hobbs New Mexico?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Hobbs NM area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Hobbs, New Mexico
Hobbs was founded in 1907 when the James Hobbs family established a homestead and named the settlement.[3] In 1910 the Hobbs post office opened, with James Hobbs as the first postmaster.[4] By 1911 there were about 25 landowners in Hobbs.[5]
The small, isolated settlement expanded rapidly following the discovery of oil by the Midwest Oil Company in 1927. A refinery was built in the following year and in 1929 the town of Hobbs was officially incorporated.[6] At the peak of this oil boom, over 12,000 people lived in Hobbs. When the Great Depression hit in 1931, oil prices dropped and the population fell to only about 3,000. However, a few years later activity picked up in the oilfields and the population climbed to about 14,000 in 1940.[5]
Following the outbreak of World War II, in 1942 Hobbs Army Air Base was built north of town. In 1948 the city bought the air base and converted it into the Hobbs Industrial Air Park, which is still used for soaring competitions.
Select the Right Medical Assistant Training Program Hobbs NM
It’s important to begin your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant program that will furnish the appropriate training. Regardless if you’re objective is to begin a career in healthcare starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your lifetime career, you must get the appropriate info on available programs prior to making your decision. There are such a large number of colleges offering training nowadays that you can make a decision based on your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have addressed in this article, confirm that the program you pick is accredited by an acknowledged 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 Scope Of Practice. 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 provided so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the best program you can ultimately start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Hobbs NM.
More Medical Locations in New Mexico
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
