How to Choose a Medical Assistant School near Lattimore North Carolina
Now that you have decided to join the rewarding profession of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Lattimore NC, it’s time to choose a college that will provide the right training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? A number of prospective students begin by checking out the medical assistant schools that are closest to their homes and then lean toward those that have the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are very important, such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are critical factors also. You may decide to research several online medical assistant programs as an option also (more on that later). The bottom line is that prior to selecting a college you need to complete your due diligence and compare all relevant aspects of the colleges you are reviewing. And to assist you with that task, we have provided a few questions that you should ask all 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 kind of training and credentials that are available.
The Responsibilities of Medical Assistants
The duties of a medical assistant can be varied as well as demanding. Basically their job is ensure that the Lattimore NC clinics, hospitals and other medical care institutions where they work run successfully. Based on the type or size of facility, they may be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are tasked with providing direct assistance to the nurses, doctors and other health professionals but may also be found working in an office or at the front desk. Some of the many duties of a medical assistant include:
- Filling out insurance forms and filing claims
- Setting and confirming appointments
- Taking vital signs and weighing patients
- Taking blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
- Preparing rooms and instruments for doctors
- Giving general support during exams and procedures
While medical assistants can carry out almost any duty they are authorized to under North Carolina 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) provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Medical Assistant Programs
In contrast to many other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to have a college degree. However, many Lattimore NC health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are generally 2 choices offered for a formal education. The first and quickest way to becoming a medical assistant is to obtain a diploma or a certificate. These programs typically take about one year to complete, some 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 obtain an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs provided at community and junior colleges in addition to technical and vocational schools. They are more extensive in design than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They often have a practical element requiring an internship with a local medical 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 Schools
There are many accredited medical assistant programs available online also. They are a good alternative for those who might not have the time to go to classes on campus but could fit them in if attended at home. This is an especially good option for students who continue working full-time while pursuing their degree or certificate. As an extra benefit, a number of online programs have lower tuitions than the more conventional on campus alternatives. Supplemental costs including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies can be lessened as well. But keep in mind that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can usually be completed in Lattimore NC area medical care facilities. If you can learn without the formal structure of participating in supervised classes on-campus, then this mode of getting your training may be the best option for you. Between the online courses and the practical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is furnished.
Certification Options for Medical Assistants
As earlier stated, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good idea for individuals who want to advance their careers. It will not only help in attaining a job after graduation, but it might also enhance initial salary negotiations. Many potential Lattimore NC medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not obtained certification or accredited formal training. One of the most popular and perhaps the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to take the CMA examination, a candidate must be a graduate or will be graduating 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 Programs
Before you can start examining your medical assistant school options, you have to determine which type of credential you want to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online at home. After 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 Lattimore NC with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional factors that you should look at when researching programs. To help you with that task, following are some questions that you should ask about each of the programs you are thinking about before making your final selection.
Is the Medical Assistant School Accredited? There are several good reasons to make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you intend to become certified, you need to enroll in 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 one of these agencies, you will not be allowed to take the CMA examination. Additionally, if you anticipate obtaining a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as mentioned previously, a number of prospective Lattimore NC employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.
What is the Program’s Passage Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant colleges develop their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification examinations. To begin with, you must determine which of the certifications the schools you are considering are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for instance, then obviously you will need to choose a program targeting that certification. Next, learn what the program’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 lower rates are ones that you will prefer to avoid.
Which Credentials are Available? As we previously covered, there are basically two paths to obtaining medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and obtain 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 opt to earn an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will require about two years to finish in a community college or vocational school. Whichever program you elect to enroll in, verify that the colleges you are considering provide the type of program you have an interest in.
Are Internships Offered? A large number of medical assistant colleges sponsor internship programs with Lattimore NC area healthcare providers. They are a great method to receive hands-on practical experience and training. They may also help students develop relationships within the Lattimore medical community. And as an added benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews as well.
Is Job Placement Support Supplied? Landing that very first job may be a difficult undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain a little help from a job placement program. Confirm that the colleges you are interviewing offer job placement assistance in the Lattimore NC area and find out what their placement rate is. If a school has a higher 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 employers to help place students in positions.
How Big are the Classrooms? Class size might be an indication of how much individual instruction you will receive throughout your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to offer increased access to teachers and face to face interaction. If possible, try to attend a few classes before selecting a college to experience 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 school while you continue working on a full time basis, it’s imperative that the college you select provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Lattimore NC, make sure that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online college, but you will also need to schedule any internships or clinical training that will be required. Additionally, find out 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 Lattimore North Carolina?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Lattimore NC area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Lattimore, North Carolina
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 419 people, 119 households, and 79 families residing in the town. The population density was 419.9 people per square mile (161.8/km²). There were 127 housing units at an average density of 127.3 per square mile (49.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.14% White, 2.15% African American, 0.24% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.
There were 119 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town, the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 18, 36.0% from 18 to 24, 19.3% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.
Choose the Right Medical Assistant School Lattimore NC
It’s essential to start your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant school that will provide the appropriate training. Whether you’re goal is to launch a career in health care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your life long career, you must get the appropriate information on available programs prior to making your decision. There are so many colleges offering training these days that you can make a selection based on your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have discussed in this article, verify that the program you decide on is accredited by an acknowledged agency, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you intend on taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Skills. 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, be 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 subsequently begin a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Lattimore NC.
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