How to Select a Medical Assistant Program near Rockhill Furnace Pennsylvania
Now that you have decided to join the gratifying profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Rockhill Furnace PA, it’s time to choose a school that will furnish the proper training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? Most future students begin by researching the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then lean toward those that have the lowest tuition. While location and cost are very important, such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important factors as well. You might decide to research several online medical assistant programs as an alternative also (more about that later). The main point is that prior to selecting a program you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are examining. And to assist you with that task, we have provided some questions that you need to ask each of the schools on your “maybe” list. But before we start that review, let’s talk a little bit about the role of a medical assistant and the type of credentials and training that are offered.
The Role of Medical Assistants
The responsibilities of a medical assistant can be varied as well as demanding. Essentially their duty is ensure that the Rockhill Furnace PA hospitals, clinics and other medical care institutions where they work operate efficiently. Depending 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 responsible for giving direct assistance to the physicians, nurses and other health professionals but can also be found working at the front desk or in an office. A few of the possible duties of a medical assistant include:
- Completing insurance forms and filing claims
- Scheduling and verifying appointments
- Taking vital signs and weighing patients
- Taking blood and other fluid and tissue samples
- Preparing instruments and rooms for physicians
- Supplying basic support during examinations and procedures
Although medical assistants can carry out almost any duty they are qualified to under Pennsylvania law, some choose to specialize in a particular area and earn certification. Two of the choices available are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) made available by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Medical Assistant Education
In contrast to many other medical professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, a number of Rockhill Furnace PA health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that are certified. There are generally two choices provided for a formal education. The first and fastest path to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. These programs typically take about one year to finish, some 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 two year programs available at community and junior colleges in addition to vocational and technical schools. They are more extensive in design than the certificate or diploma programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant training. They often have a clinical component involving an internship with a local medical practice. 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 a number of accredited medical assistant programs accessible online too. They are a good choice for students 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 solution for students who continue working full-time while attaining their certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, many online programs have lower tuitions than the more traditional on campus alternatives. Ancillary expenses such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies may be minimized also. Just keep in mind that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be met, but they can often be completed in Rockhill Furnace PA area healthcare facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of attending supervised classes on campus, then this method of receiving your training may be the best option for you. Between the online lessons and the practical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.
Certification Programs for Medical Assistants
As previously mentioned, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good choice for individuals who wish to boost their careers. Not only will it help in getting a position after graduation, but it might also help with preliminary salary negotiations. A number of potential Rockhill Furnace PA medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not obtained certification or accredited formal training. Among the most popular and arguably the most respected 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 be a graduate or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are available also, for instance the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.
Concerns to Ask Medical Assistant Schools
Prior to evaluating your medical assistant school options, you have to decide which type of credential you want to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online from home. After those selections have been made, you can begin the process of comparing medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, some students restrict their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Rockhill Furnace PA with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional factors that you should explore when assessing programs. To help you with that task, following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are thinking about before making your ultimate choice.
Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are several great reasons to make certain that the school you choose is accredited. To begin with, accreditation helps ensure that the instruction 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 accepted agencies 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 agencies, you will not be qualified to take the CMA exam. Additionally, if you anticipate applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. And last, as mentioned previously, many prospective Rockhill Furnace PA employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.
What is the Program’s Passing Percentage? The majority of 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 reviewing are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for example, then naturally you will want to select a program focused on that certification. Second, learn what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. Doing this is one of the methods to help assess the quality of a school’s program. Obviously schools with lower rates are those that you will want to avoid.
Which Programs are Available? As we previously covered, there are basically two routes to getting medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and obtain entry level training in the shortest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can decide to acquire an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will take about two years to finish in a community college or trade school. Whichever program you elect to enroll in, confirm that the colleges you are looking at offer the type of program you are interested in.
Are Internships Offered? A large number of medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Rockhill Furnace PA area healthcare providers. They are a great way to obtain hands-on practical training and experience. They may also assist students build relationships within the Rockhill Furnace healthcare community. And as an added perk, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding that very first job can be a challenging undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain a little help from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are researching offer job placement assistance in the Rockhill Furnace PA 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 a good reputation within the healthcare community. It also signifies that it has a large network of employers to help place students in jobs.
How Large are the Classrooms? Class size might be an indication of how much individual attention you will get throughout your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to provide increased access to instructors and face to face interaction. If possible, try to monitor a few classes before choosing a school to experience what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students receive.
Is Class Scheduling Practical? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant program while you continue working full-time, it’s essential that the school you select provides classes that fit your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Rockhill Furnace PA, make certain that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will also have 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 Rockhill Furnace Pennsylvania?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Rockhill Furnace PA area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Rockhill, Pennsylvania
Rockhill or Rockhill Furnace is a borough in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States.[3] The population was 371 at the 2010 census,[4] down from 414 at the 2000 census. It is the site of the East Broad Top Railroad.
Rockhill is located in southern Huntingdon County at 40°14′35″N 77°54′2″W / 40.24306°N 77.90056°W / 40.24306; -77.90056 (40.242927, -77.900433).[6] It sits on the southwest side of Blacklog Creek, across from its neighbor, the borough of Orbisonia. It is bordered to the west by 920-foot-high (280 m) Saddle Back Ridge. Pennsylvania Route 994 passes through Rockhill, ending to the north in Orbisonia at U.S. Route 522 and leading southwest 6 miles (10 km) to Three Springs.
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 414 people, 173 households, and 119 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,323.8 people per square mile (515.6/km²). There were 186 housing units at an average density of 594.7 per square mile (231.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.28% White, 0.72% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.42% of the population.
Select the Right Medical Assistant Training Program Rockhill Furnace PA
It’s essential to begin your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant school that will furnish the appropriate training. Regardless if you’re objective is to begin a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your lifetime career, you must obtain the right info on available programs prior to making your selection. There are such a large number of colleges providing training these days that you can make a decision based on your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have addressed in this article, make sure that the program you choose is accredited by an acknowledged organization, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially important if you anticipate taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Online Medical Assistant Certification Programs. But irrespective of the type of credential that you intend to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an online or on-campus school, don’t forget to ask the questions we have provided so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the ideal program you can subsequently start a gratifying career as a medical assistant in Rockhill Furnace PA.
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