How to Enroll In a Medical Assistant School Program near Uniontown Pennsylvania
Once you have made a decision to become a part of the rewarding profession of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Uniontown PA, it’s time to select a college that will furnish the right training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? Many prospective students start by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their homes and then lean toward those that have the lowest tuition. While location and cost are very important, such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are important factors as well. You might decide to research some online medical assistant programs as an alternative as well (more about that later). The bottom line is that before you select a college you must finish your due diligence and compare all relevant aspects of the schools you are evaluating. And to assist you with that process, we have furnished a few questions that you need to ask each of the colleges on your short list. But before we start that review, let’s briefly talk about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of credentials and training that are available.
The Duties of a Medical Assistant
The duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Primarily their role is to make sure that the Uniontown PA clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities where they work operate successfully. Based on the type or size of facility, they may be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller facilities both. They are tasked with giving direct assistance to the physicians, nurses and other health professionals but may also be found performing duties at the front desk or in an office. Some of the many responsibilities of a medical assistant include:
- Completing insurance forms and filing claims
- Setting and confirming appointments
- Weighing and taking patients vital signs
- Taking blood and other fluid and tissue samples
- Preparing instruments and rooms for physicians
- Supplying basic support during exams and procedures
While medical assistants can perform almost any activity they are authorized to under Pennsylvania law, some prefer to specialize in a specific area and attain certification. Two of the options offered 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 licensed, certified, or to obtain a college degree. However, many Uniontown PA health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are essentially 2 choices offered for a formal education. The first and fastest route to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. These programs generally take about 1 year to complete, a few as little as six to nine 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 community and junior colleges together with technical and vocational schools. They are more expansive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They usually have a clinical component requiring an internship with a local healthcare 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 Courses
There are many accredited medical assistant programs offered online also. They are an excellent alternative for those who might not have the time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if attended at home. This is an especially good option for students who continue to work full time while earning their certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, many online programs have lower tuitions than the more traditional on-campus alternatives. Supplemental costs including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies might be lessened also. But bear in mind that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can usually be carried out in Uniontown PA area medical care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of attending supervised classes on-campus, then this mode of receiving your education might be the right choice for you. With the online lessons and the clinical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.
Certification Options for Medical Assistants
As previously mentioned, becoming certified is not a legal mandate, but is a good option for individuals who want to boost their careers. Not only will it help in attaining a position after graduation, but it can also enhance preliminary salary negotiations. Some possible Uniontown PA medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not attained accredited formal training or certification. Among 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 sit for the CMA examination, a candidate must be a graduate or will graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are offered as well, for instance the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are offered by the NHA.
Questions to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges
Prior to examining your medical assistant school alternatives, you must decide which type of credential you want to earn, and if you want to attend classes on campus or online at home. After those choices have been made, you can begin the process of evaluating medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, some potential students limit their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Uniontown PA with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are several additional considerations that you should examine when evaluating programs. To assist you with that task, following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are thinking about before making your final selection.
Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to make sure that the college you select is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps guarantee 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 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 either of these agencies, you will not be allowed to take the CMA exam. Additionally, if you plan on obtaining a student loan or financial aid, they are normally not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, many prospective Uniontown PA employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.
What is the Program’s Passing Rate? Most of the accredited medical assistant schools create their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification examinations. To begin with, you need to learn which of the certifications the programs you are reviewing are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for instance, then of course you will need to enroll in a program targeting that certification. Next, ask what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is one of the methods to help assess the quality of a school’s program. Of course programs with low rates are those that you will want to avoid.
Which Programs are Provided? As we previously covered, there are essentially two paths to obtaining medical assistant training. You can enroll in a diploma or certificate program and obtain entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is closer to one year. Or you can choose to obtain an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will require about 2 years to finish in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you choose to pursue, make sure that the colleges you are reviewing offer the kind of program you have an interest in.
Are Internships Sponsored? A large number of medical assistant colleges offer internship programs with Uniontown PA area medical care providers. They are a great means to receive hands-on practical training and experience. They may also help students build relationships within the Uniontown medical community. And as an added benefit, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.
Is Job Placement Service Provided? Landing that very first job can be a daunting undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain a little assistance from a job placement program. Verify that the schools you are researching provide job placement assistance in the Uniontown PA area and find out what their placement rate is. If a program has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it indicates that it has a good reputation within the health care community. It also indicates that it has a wide network of contacts to help place students in jobs.
How Big are the Classes? Class size may be an indication of how much individual instruction you will get during your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to furnish greater access to instructors and face to face interaction. If possible, try to attend a couple of classes before enrolling in a program to observe what the teaching atmosphere is like and how much attention the students get.
Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant school while you continue to work full-time, it’s imperative that the college you choose offers classes that fit your schedule. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Uniontown PA, make certain that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online college, but you will still have to schedule all internships or clinical training that will be required. Additionally, find out 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 Uniontown Pennsylvania?
If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Uniontown PA area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
Uniontown is a city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States, 46 miles (74 km) southeast of Pittsburgh and part of the Greater Pittsburgh Region. The population was 10,372 at the 2010 census,[3] down from 12,422 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat and largest city of Fayette County.[4]
Popularly known as "Beesontown", the "town of Union" was founded by Henry Beeson on July 4, 1776, coincidentally the same date the United States Declaration of Independence was ratified.[5] The National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, was routed through Uniontown in the early 19th century, and the town grew along with the road (now US 40). 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Uniontown is Fort Necessity, built by George Washington during the French and Indian War (part of the international Seven Years' War) as well as the site of the Battle of Jumonville Glen, where the North American branch of the war began.
Uniontown's role in the Underground Railroad in the antebellum years is commemorated by a marker on the corner of East Main Street and Baker Alley.[6] Residents helped slaves escaping from the South to freedom.
Select the Right Medical Assistant Program Uniontown PA
It’s imperative to start your new career on the right foot by enrolling in a medical assistant program that will provide the proper training. Whether you’re goal is to begin a career in health care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your lifetime career, you must get the right info on available programs prior to making your decision. There are such a large number of schools providing training these days that you can make a selection based upon your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have covered in this article, confirm that the program you select is accredited by a recognized organization, such as the CAAHEP. This is particularly critical if you intend on taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Training. But regardless of the type 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 compare programs and make an informed decision. And by picking the best program you can ultimately start a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Uniontown PA.
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