How to Select a Medical Assistant School Program near Houghton New York
Now that you have decided to join the gratifying profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Houghton NY, 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 subsequently pick the best one? Many prospective students start by checking out the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their homes and then gravitate toward those that have the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are very important, such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are critical issues as well. You may want to take a look at a few online medical assistant programs as an option also (more on that later). The main point is that before you select a program you need to finish your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the colleges you are reviewing. And to assist you with that process, we have included several questions that you need to ask all of the colleges on your short list. But before we start that review, let’s briefly talk about the responsibilities of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are available.
The Job of a Medical Assistant
The function of a medical assistant can be varied as well as demanding. Basically their role is to make sure that the Houghton NY hospitals, clinics and other medical care centers where they work run efficiently. Depending on the size or type of facility, they may be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller facilities 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 many duties of a medical assistant include:
- Filling out insurance forms and filing 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 perform almost any activity they are authorized to under New York law, some prefer to specialize in a particular area and obtain certification. Two of the choices 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
Unlike most other medical practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, many Houghton NY 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 two choices provided for a formal education. The first and quickest way to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. These programs usually take about a year to complete, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are developed to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to obtain an Associate Degree, which are typically 2 year programs offered at junior and community colleges in addition to technical and vocational schools. They are more comprehensive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They usually have a clinical component requiring an internship with a local medical 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.
Medical Assistant Online Schools
There are numerous accredited medical assistant programs offered online also. They are a good choice for those who might not have the time to go to classes on campus but could fit 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 conventional on-campus options. Supplemental expenses including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies can be reduced as well. But keep in mind that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be met, but they can usually be completed in Houghton NY area medical care facilities. If you can learn without the rigid structure of participating in supervised classes on-campus, then this method of getting your training might be the right option for you. Between the online courses and the practical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.
Certification Programs for Medical Assistants
As previously mentioned, certification is not a legal requirement, but is a good option for individuals who want to boost their careers. It will not only help in getting a position after graduation, but it might also enhance preliminary salary negotiations. A number of potential Houghton NY medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not obtained certification or accredited formal training. 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). In order to apply for the CMA examination, a candidate must have graduated or will graduate within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Alternative certifications are offered also, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.
Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Schools
Before you can start evaluating your medical assistant school options, you need to decide which kind of credential you want to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online at home. Once those choices have been made, you can begin the process of researching medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many students restrict their searches to the schools that are nearest to Houghton NY with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are a number of additional considerations that you need to look at when assessing programs. To help you with that process, following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are thinking about before making your final selection.
Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are a number of great reasons to verify that the college you select is accredited. To begin with, 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 need to complete an accredited program. Two of the approved agencies 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 either of these organizations, you will not be qualified to take the CMA examination. Additionally, if you anticipate obtaining a student loan or financial aid, they are often not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, as mentioned previously, many prospective Houghton NY employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.
What is the School’s Passage Rate? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools develop their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. First, you need to learn which of the certifications the colleges you are reviewing are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then of course you will want to select a program targeting that certification. Second, find out what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. This is one of the ways to help evaluate the quality of a school’s program. Of course programs with lower rates are those that you will want to avoid.
Which Credentials are Provided? As we previously covered, there are generally two paths to getting medical assistant training. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program and get entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can elect to acquire an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will require approximately two years to finish in a junior college or vocational school. Whichever program you choose to enroll in, verify that the schools you are considering provide the type of program you are interested in.
Are Internships Provided? Many medical assistant schools offer internship programs with Houghton NY area medical care providers. They are an excellent means to receive hands-on clinical training and experience. They may also help students build relationships within the Houghton health care community. And as an additional benefit, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.
Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Landing that very first job can be a daunting task for medical assistant school graduates unless they receive some assistance from a job placement program. Confirm that the colleges you are researching offer job placement assistance in the Houghton NY 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 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 indication of how much personal attention you will receive during your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to provide greater access to instructors and one-on-one interaction. If possible, try to monitor a few classes before enrolling in a program to see what the teaching environment is like and just how much attention the students get.
Is Class Scheduling Practical? If you plan on attending a medical assistant school while you continue working full time, it’s important that the program you enroll in provides classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Houghton NY, make sure that those times are offered. You may be able to fit your classes in easier with an online school, but you will still need to schedule any internships or clinical training that will be required. Additionally, ask what the protocol 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 Houghton New York?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Houghton NY area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Houghton, New York
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,748 people, 313 households, and 180 families residing in the region. The population density was 715.5 per square mile (276.6/km²). There were 333 housing units at an average density of 136.3/sq mi (52.7/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 95.37% White, 1.54% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.
There were 313 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the area the population was spread out with 11.0% under the age of 18, 59.4% from 18 to 24, 10.1% from 25 to 44, 8.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females, there were 70.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 67.7 males.
Select the Best Medical Assistant Course Houghton NY
It’s essential to start your new career on the right foot by picking a medical assistant college that will provide the appropriate training. Regardless if you’re planning to launch a career in health care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your life long career, you need to acquire the right information on available programs before making your selection. There are such a large number of schools offering training these days that you can make a decision based on your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have covered in this article, verify that the program you choose is accredited by a recognized agency, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially important if you intend on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Accredited Schools For Medical Assistant. 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, don’t forget to ask the questions we have provided so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the best program you can subsequently begin a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Houghton NY.
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