How to Select a Medical Assistant Training School near Oilton Oklahoma
Now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Oilton OK, it’s time to select a school that will provide the proper training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the best one? A number of potential students start by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their residences and then lean toward those that have the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are very important, such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are critical factors also. You may choose to research some online medical assistant programs as an option also (more on that later). The bottom line is that prior to selecting a program you must complete your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the colleges you are assessing. And to help you with that process, we have included some questions that you need to ask each of the colleges on your short list. But prior to starting that review, let’s briefly talk about the function of a medical assistant and the type of credentials and training that are offered.
The Job of Medical Assistants
The role of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Primarily their role is ensure that the Oilton OK hospitals, clinics and other medical care facilities where they work operate successfully. Based 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 physicians, nurses and other health professionals but can also be found performing duties at the front desk or in an office. A few of the potential responsibilities of a medical assistant include:
- Completing insurance forms and filing claims
- Scheduling and confirming appointments
- Taking vital signs and weighing patients
- Collecting blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
- Preparing rooms and instruments for doctors
- Providing general support during examinations and procedures
While medical assistants may perform almost any activity they are authorized to under Oklahoma law, some opt to specialize in a specific area and attain certification. Two of the choices 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 Training Courses
Compared to many other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to obtain a college degree. However, a number of Oilton OK health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that are certified. There are generally 2 options 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 1 year to finish, some as little as 6 to 9 months. They are developed to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are normally two year programs provided at junior and community colleges in addition to vocational and technical schools. They are more comprehensive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts 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 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.
Online Medical Assistant Colleges
There are many accredited medical assistant programs available online also. They are a good alternative for students who may not have time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if accessible at home. This is a particularly good alternative for students who continue working full time while earning their degree or certificate. As an extra benefit, many online schools have lower tuitions than the more traditional on campus options. Ancillary expenses such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies can be minimized as well. But remember that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can usually be completed in Oilton OK area healthcare facilities. If you can learn without the rigid structure of going to supervised classes on campus, then this method of receiving your training may be the best choice for you. Between the online courses and the practical training, everything necessary to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.
Certification Options for Medical Assistants
As earlier stated, becoming certified is not a legal mandate, but is a good idea for graduates who wish to advance their careers. Not only will it help in securing a position after graduation, but it may also help with initial salary negotiations. A number of potential Oilton OK medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not received accredited formal training or certification. The most popular and possibly the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to take the CMA examination, an applicant 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.
Topics to Ask Medical Assistant Programs
Prior to reviewing your medical assistant school options, you need to decide which kind of credential you would like to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online from home. Once those decisions have been made, you can start the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, some potential students limit their searches to the schools that are closest to Oilton OK with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are a number of additional issues that you should examine when researching programs. To assist you with that task, following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are considering before making your ultimate choice.
Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to make sure that the school you choose is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you intend to become certified, you need to complete an accredited program. Two of the acknowledged 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 one of these organizations, you will not be eligible to take the CMA examination. Also, if you intend on obtaining a student loan or financial assistance, they are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, many prospective Oilton OK 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 schools design their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. To begin with, you need to find out which of the certifications the colleges you are considering are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for example, then obviously you will need to enroll in a program focused on that certification. Next, learn what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is just one of the ways to help evaluate the quality of a college’s program. Obviously schools with low rates are ones that you will prefer to avoid.
Which Programs are Available? As we covered earlier, there are essentially two paths to getting medical assistant training. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program and receive entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, however the average is closer to 1 year. Or you can choose to earn an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will require about 2 years to accomplish in a junior college or trade school. Whichever program you elect to enroll in, make sure that the schools you are reviewing offer the kind of program you have an interest in.
Are Internships Provided? Many medical assistant schools offer internship programs with Oilton OK area health care providers. They are a great means to receive hands-on practical experience and training. They can also help students establish relationships within the Oilton medical community. And as an added perk, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.
Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Landing that initial job may be a challenging undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they receive some assistance from a job placement program. Verify that the schools you are evaluating offer job placement assistance in the Oilton OK area and find out what their placement rate is. If a school has a higher job placement rate for its students, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the health care community. It also signifies that it has a wide network of contacts to help place students in jobs.
How Large are the Classes? Class size can be an indication of how much individual instruction you will get throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to provide increased access to teachers and one-on-one interaction. If possible, try to monitor a few classes before choosing a college to experience what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students receive.
Is Class Scheduling Accessible? If you plan on attending a medical assistant school while you continue working full-time, it’s important that the program you select provides classes that fit your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Oilton OK, confirm that those times are available. You may be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online program, but you will still have to schedule any internships or practical training that may be required. Additionally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you may have to miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Oilton Oklahoma?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Oilton OK area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Oilton, Oklahoma
Oilton began during the development of the Cushing-Drumright Oil Field. The first lots were sold in January and February 1915 by Walter Eaton and Ed Dunn. A post office was established May 5, 1915. The First State Bank opened and the newspaper, the Oilton Gusher, began publication in 1915. In the same year, Oil Belt Terminal Railway and the Oil Fields and Santa Fe Railway (both later acquired by Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway) connected Oilton to Jennings and Cushing. By 1920, Oilton had a population of 2,231. It became an incorporated city on April 18, 1921.[4]
Oilton is located in northwestern Creek County at 36°5′N 96°35′W / 36.083°N 96.583°W / 36.083; -96.583 (36.0850, -96.5866).[5] It is on the south side of the Cimarron River near the head of the inundation limit of Keystone Lake.
Oklahoma State Highway 99 passes through the community, leading north 7 miles (11 km) to Jennings and south 7 miles (11 km) to Drumright. Tulsa is 38 miles (61 km) to the east, and Stillwater is 30 miles (48 km) to the west.
Pick the Right Medical Assistant Training Program Oilton OK
It’s important to begin your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant program that will provide the right training. Regardless if you’re planning to launch a career in healthcare starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you must obtain the appropriate info on available programs prior to making your selection. There are such a large number of schools offering training nowadays 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 decide on is accredited by a recognized agency, for example the CAAHEP. This is particularly important if you plan on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Technician. But regardless of the type of credential that you plan to earn or if you have decided to attend either an on-campus or online school, don’t forget to ask the questions we have supplied in order to evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the right program you can subsequently start a gratifying career as a medical assistant in Oilton OK.
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