What Do Medical Assistants Do Catawissa PA - Find Medical Assistant Programs Near You

How to Find the Right Medical Assistant Program near Catawissa Pennsylvania

Catawissa PA medical assistant checking pulse Once you have decided to join the gratifying field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Catawissa PA, it’s time to select a school that will furnish the right training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? Most potential students start by checking out the medical assistant schools that are closest to their homes and then lean toward those that have the most affordable tuition. While cost and location are extremely important such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are important factors as well. You may want to take a look at some 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 important qualifications of the colleges you are examining. And to help you with that process, we have furnished several questions that you should ask all of the schools 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 credentials and training that are available.

The Function of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Catawissa PA nursing home patient The duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Primarily their duty is to make sure that the Catawissa PA clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities where they work operate 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 support to the physicians, nurses and other health practitioners but may also be found working in an office or at the front desk. Some of the potential functions of a medical assistant include:

Completing insurance forms and submitting claims
Scheduling and confirming appointments
Taking vital signs and weighing patients
Taking blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
Preparing instruments and rooms for physicians
Providing basic support during examinations and procedures

Although medical assistants may perform almost any duty they are qualified to under Pennsylvania law, some elect to specialize in a particular area and attain certification. Two of the options available are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Programs

Compared to many other medical practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become certified, licensed, or to earn a college degree. However, a number of Catawissa PA health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are generally 2 options offered for a formal education. The first and shortest route to becoming a medical assistant is to acquire a certificate or diploma. These programs typically take about one year to complete, some as little as six to nine months. They are designed to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs offered at junior and community colleges together with technical and vocational schools. They are more expansive in nature than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant training. They often have a clinical component involving an internship with a local healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are routinely a pre-requisite for and credits can be transferred to a four year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.

Medical Assistant Online Classes

woman attending medical assistant school online in Catawissa PA There are numerous accredited medical assistant programs offered online too. They are an excellent choice for students who may not have the time to go to classes on campus but could fit them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good option for students who continue to work full-time while earning their certificate or degree. As an extra benefit, many online programs have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on campus options. Ancillary expenses including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies may be minimized also. But bear in mind that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can typically be performed in Catawissa PA area medical facilities. If you can learn without the formal structure of attending supervised classes on campus, then this method of getting your training may be the right option for you. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.

Certification Programs for Medical Assistants

As earlier stated, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent choice for those who wish to advance their careers. It will not only help in securing a position after graduation, but it might also enhance initial salary negotiations. A number of possible Catawissa PA medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not attained accredited formal training or certification. The most popular and arguably 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 be graduating within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are offered as well, including the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.

Topics to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Catawissa PA medical assistant programs Prior to reviewing your medical assistant school alternatives, you need to choose which kind of credential you want 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 process of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students restrict their searches to the schools that are closest to Catawissa PA with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are several additional considerations that you should examine when researching programs. To help you with that task, below are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are thinking about before making your final choice.

Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are several good reasons to verify that the school you enroll in is accredited. First, accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you plan on becoming certified, you must complete an accredited program. Two of the accepted 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 agencies, you will not be allowed to take the CMA examination. Also, if you plan on applying for a student loan or financial aid, they are often not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, a number of potential Catawissa PA employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

What is the Program’s Passage Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools create their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification examinations. First, you need to determine which of the certifications the programs you are considering are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then of course you will need to select a program focused on that certification. Next, ask what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is just one of the means to help evaluate the quality of a college’s program. Of course schools with lower rates are those that you will want to eliminate.

Which Programs are Offered? As we covered earlier, there are generally two paths to obtaining medical assistant training. You can choose a diploma or certificate program and receive entry level training in the shortest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, however the average is closer to one year. Or you can opt to obtain an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will require approximately two years to accomplish in a community college or trade school. Whichever program you choose to pursue, confirm that the schools you are considering provide the kind of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Offered? Numerous medical assistant colleges offer internship programs with Catawissa PA area healthcare providers. They are an excellent method to obtain hands-on practical training and experience. They may also assist students establish relationships within the Catawissa health care community. And as an added perk, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Landing that very first job may be a daunting undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they obtain some assistance from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are evaluating provide job placement assistance in the Catawissa PA area and ask what their placement rate is. If a program has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the medical community. It also signifies that it has a wide network of employers to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classrooms? Class size can be an indication of how much individual attention you will receive throughout your training. Smaller 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 practical, try to attend a few classes before enrolling in a program to observe what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students receive.

Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant school while you continue working full-time, it’s essential that the college you select offers classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Catawissa PA, make sure that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online college, but you will still have to schedule all internships or clinical training that might be required. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Catawissa Pennsylvania?

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

Catawissa, Pennsylvania

Catawissa is twinned with Uxbridge, Ontario. The historic link began in 1805, when the Uxbridge area was granted by the British crown to Dr. Christopher Beswick, first medical doctor north of the Oak Ridges Moraine. While not a Quaker, he lived in Catawissa before moving to the Uxbridge area. Beswick Lane in the Ontario town is named after him.[4]

The area where Catawissa now is was originally owned by William Henry in 1769. Catawissa was laid out in 1787. At this time it was referred to as "Hughesburg" or "Catawissey". The lots of the town were distributed by lottery. When boats began to commonly travel along the Susquehanna River, Catawissa became locally important. Talk of a school in Catawissa began in 1796, and one was built there in 1800. The Catawissa Fire Company was founded in 1827. The Catawissa Deposit Bank was incorporated in 1871. The Catawissa Water Company was formed in 1882. A number of Masonic establishments were built in Catawissa in the mid to late 1800s.[5]

Catawissa is located in western Columbia County at 40°57′9″N 76°27′37″W / 40.95250°N 76.46028°W / 40.95250; -76.46028 (40.952458, -76.460393),[7] on the southeast side of the Susquehanna River. Catawissa Creek flows along the southern boundary of the borough into the Susquehanna. According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.54 square miles (1.4 km2), of which 0.02 square miles (0.06 km2), or 4.50%, is water.[3]

Select the Best Medical Assistant College Catawissa PA

Catawissa PA medical assistant student It’s essential to begin your new career on the right foot by enrolling in a medical assistant college that will furnish the appropriate training. Whether you’re planning to begin a career in health care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your lifetime career, you must acquire the right info on available programs prior to making your selection. There are such a large number of colleges providing training nowadays that you can make a selection based on your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have covered in this article, make sure that the program you select is accredited by a recognized agency, for example the CAAHEP. This is particularly critical if you anticipate taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in What Do Medical Assistants Do. But irrespective 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 in order to evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the right program you can subsequently start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Catawissa PA.