Category Archives: Indiana

CMA Medical Assistant Westpoint IN

How to Select a Medical Assistant Training Program near Westpoint Indiana

Westpoint IN medical assistant checking pulseOnce you have made a decision to join the rewarding profession of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Westpoint IN, it’s time to choose a school that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? Most prospective students start by researching the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then gravitate toward those that have the lowest tuition. While cost and location are extremely important such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are critical issues also. You may decide to research a few online medical assistant programs as an option as well (more on that later). The main point is that prior to selecting a program you must carry out your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are reviewing. And to help you with that process, we have provided some questions that you need to ask each 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 type of credentials and training that are offered.

The Function of a Medical Assistant

medical assistant with Westpoint IN nursing home patientThe duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Essentially their duty is to make sure that the Westpoint IN hospitals, clinics 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 practices both. They are tasked with providing direct assistance to the nurses, doctors and other health professionals but may also be found working at the front desk or in an office. Some of the possible functions of a medical assistant include:

  • Filling out insurance forms and filing claims
  • Scheduling and verifying appointments
  • Weighing and taking patients vital signs
  • Taking blood and other tissue and fluid samples
  • Preparing instruments and rooms for physicians
  • Supplying basic support during exams and procedures

Even though medical assistants can carry out almost any task they are authorized to under Indiana law, some opt to specialize in a particular area and obtain certification. Two of the options 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 Training Courses

Compared to most other medical practitioners, medical assistants are not mandated to become certified, licensed, or to obtain a college degree. However, many Westpoint IN health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that are certified. There are basically two options available for a formal education. The first and shortest way to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a diploma or a certificate. These programs typically take about a year to finish, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are developed to teach the basics of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are normally two year programs offered at junior and community colleges in addition to vocational and technical schools. They are more expansive in design than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant training. They frequently have a practical component involving an internship with a local medical facility. 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 similar field.

Online Medical Assistant Classes

woman attending medical assistant school online in Westpoint INThere are a number of accredited medical assistant programs accessible online also. They are an excellent option for those who may not have the time to go to 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 certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on-campus alternatives. Supplemental expenses including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies may be minimized as well. Just bear in mind that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can often be completed in Westpoint IN area medical facilities. If you can earn a degree without the rigid structure of participating in supervised classes on campus, then this method of getting your training may be the ideal choice for you. Between the online lessons and the clinical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, certification is not a legal mandate, but is an excellent choice for those who want to boost their careers. Not only will it help in obtaining a position after graduation, but it can also help with preliminary salary negotiations. Many possible Westpoint IN medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not obtained certification or accredited formal training. One of the most popular and arguably 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, a candidate must be a graduate or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are available also, including the CMAA and the CCMA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.

Points to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges

Questions to ask Westpoint IN medical assistant programsPrior to evaluating your medical assistant school alternatives, you have to decide which kind of credential you would like to attain, and if you want to attend classes on campus or online at home. Once those choices have been made, you can begin the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many potential students restrict their searches to the schools that are closest to Westpoint IN with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional issues that you need to examine when assessing programs. To assist you with that task, following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are thinking about before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are a number of great reasons to make certain that the college you enroll in is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you plan on becoming certified, you must enroll in an accredited program. Two of the accepted organizations for accreditation are the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). If your program is not accredited by one of these agencies, you will not be eligible to take the CMA exam. Also, if you anticipate applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as previously mentioned, many potential Westpoint IN employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

What is the School’s Passing Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant schools develop their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. To start with, you must determine 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 obviously you will need to select a program concentrating on that certification. Next, learn what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. Doing this is just one of the means to help assess the quality of a school’s program. Naturally schools with lower rates are ones that you will prefer to avoid.

Which Credentials are Offered? As we previously covered, there are generally two paths to acquiring medical assistant training. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program and obtain entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, however the average is about 1 year. Or you can elect to obtain an Associate Degree and receive a broader education that will take approximately 2 years to complete in a junior college or vocational school. Whichever program you elect to pursue, make certain that the schools you are considering provide the kind of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Sponsored? Many medical assistant programs offer internship programs with Westpoint IN area medical providers. They are a great means to get hands-on practical experience and training. They may also assist students build relationships within the Westpoint health care community. And as an additional benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding that initial job can be a challenging task for graduating medical assistant students unless they receive some help from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are interviewing offer job placement assistance in the Westpoint IN area and find out what their placement rate is. If a college has a high job placement rate for its students, it affirms that it has an excellent reputation within the health care community. It also signifies that it has a broad network of contacts to help place students in jobs.

How Large are the Classes? Class size can be an indication of how much personal instruction you will get throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to furnish increased access to teachers and one-on-one interaction. If possible, try to sit in on a couple of classes before enrolling in a college to observe what the teaching atmosphere is like and just how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you plan on attending a medical assistant school while you continue to work full-time, it’s essential that the school you enroll in offers classes that fit your schedule. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Westpoint IN, verify that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online school, but you will still have to schedule any clinical training or internships that may be required. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes that you may have to miss due to illness, work or family issues.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Westpoint Indiana?

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

The Westpoint

The Westpoint (Chinese: 西港中心) is a skyscraper located in the Sai Ying Pun district of Hong Kong. The tower rises 41 floors and 186 metres (610 ft) in height.[2] The building was completed in 1999.[1] It was designed by architectural firm Ho & Partners Architects, and was developed by Chun Wo Construction & Engineering.[2] The Westpoint, which stands as the 84th-tallest building in Hong Kong, is composed entirely of office space.[1] The building is architecturally unique due to its ball structure that adorns the roof; the ball is home to a private club.[2]

The building was originally meant to serve as the headquarters of the Chinese state-owned corporation China Merchants Group, but was sold to the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the early 2000s.[3] The entire building is occupied by this office and the ground level is heavily fortified and protected by security. The top level houses the director’s office, a clubhouse, and a grand ballroom. Other features of the building include a gym, a conference centre, banquet facilities, exhibition space, and a beauty salon with barbers from mainland China.[3]

Choose the Right Medical Assistant Course Westpoint IN

Westpoint IN medical assistant studentIt’s important to start your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant college that will furnish the appropriate training. Regardless if you’re objective is to begin a career in healthcare starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you must acquire the appropriate information on available programs prior to making your decision. There are so many schools offering training nowadays that you can make a selection based upon your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have discussed in this article, confirm that the program you select is accredited by an acknowledged organization, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially important if you intend on taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in CMA Medical Assistant. But irrespective of the kind of credential that you intend to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an online or on-campus school, make sure to ask the questions we have provided in order to evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the ideal program you can subsequently start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Westpoint IN.

More Medical Locations in Indiana

  • Medical Assistant Information Medora IN
  • What Can You Do With A Medical Assistant Degree Elkhart IN
  • What Can A Medical Assistant Do Veedersburg IN
  • Medical Assistant Classes Near Me Hanover IN
  • How Long Are Medical Assistant Courses Madison IN
  • Certify Medical Assistant Farmersburg IN
  • Medical Assistant Online Rochester IN
  • 6 Month Program For Medical Assistant Brownsburg IN
  • Medical Assistant Vocational Schools Munster IN
  • How Long To Become A Medical Assistant Van Buren IN
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 6

    Innovative Medicine
    2 Reviews
    Internal Medicine
    Phone:
    3554 Promenade Pkwy, Ste H, Lafayette, IN 47909

    Homecare By Design
    2 Reviews
    Home Health Care, Personal Assistants, Personal Care Services
    Phone:
    917 Sagamore Pkwy W, West Lafayette, IN 47906

    Hoosiers at Home
    1 Reviews
    Home Health Care
    Phone:
    839 Main St, Lafayette, IN 47901

    Angels Senior Home Solutions
    1 Reviews
    Home Health Care, Retirement Homes, Personal Care Services
    Phone:
    156-A Sagamore Pkwy W, West Lafayette, IN 47906

    Hanau Health Clinic
    4 Reviews
    Naturopathic/Holistic
    Phone:
    160 Sagamore Pkwy W, West Lafayette, IN 47906

    Randall Dermatology
    8 Reviews
    Dermatologists, Cosmetic Surgeons, Medical Spas
    Phone:
    124 Sagamore Pkwy W, West Lafayette, IN 47906