Category Archives: Nevada

Medical Assistant Credentials Silver Springs NV

How to Enroll In a Medical Assistant Program near Silver Springs Nevada

Silver Springs NV medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have made a decision to join the rewarding profession of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Silver Springs NV, it’s time to choose a school that will furnish the proper training. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? Many prospective students start by researching the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then gravitate toward those that have the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are extremely important such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are critical issues also. You might choose to research a few online medical assistant programs as an option also (more about that later). The bottom line is that before you select a program you must complete your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the schools you are reviewing. And to assist you with that process, we have provided a few questions that you should ask each of the colleges on your short list. But prior to starting 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 Duties of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Silver Springs NV nursing home patientThe duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Basically their job is ensure that the Silver Springs NV clinics, hospitals and other medical care institutions where they work run efficiently. Depending 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 medical professionals but may also be found performing duties 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
  • Setting and verifying appointments
  • Taking vital signs and weighing patients
  • Collecting blood and other tissue and fluid specimens
  • Preparing rooms and instruments for doctors
  • Giving basic support during examinations and procedures

While medical assistants may carry out almost any task they are authorized to under Nevada law, some prefer to specialize in a particular area and obtain 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 Training Programs

Compared to most other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to obtain a college degree. However, a number of Silver Springs NV health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that are certified. There are basically two options provided for a formal education. The first and shortest route to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. These programs generally take about one year to complete, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are created to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to earn an Associate Degree, which are normally two year programs provided at community and junior colleges in addition to technical and vocational schools. They are more extensive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant training. They frequently have a clinical component requiring an internship with a local healthcare practice. Associate Degrees are often 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 Programs

woman attending medical assistant school online in Silver Springs NVThere are many accredited medical assistant programs accessible online as well. They are an excellent alternative for those who may not have the time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if attended at home. This is an especially good alternative for students who continue to work full time while earning their degree or certificate. As an additional benefit, some online programs have lower tuitions than the more conventional on campus alternatives. Ancillary expenses including those for commuting, textbooks and school supplies may be reduced as well. But remember that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can usually be performed in Silver Springs NV area medical facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of going to supervised classes on campus, then this method of getting your education may be the best choice for you. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Programs for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent choice for graduates who want to boost their careers. It will not only help in obtaining a position after graduation, but it may also help with preliminary salary negotiations. A number of possible Silver Springs NV medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not attained accredited formal training or certification. 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 exam, an applicant must have graduated or will be graduating within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are offered also, for instance the CMAA and the CCMA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Programs

Questions to ask Silver Springs NV medical assistant programsBefore you can start reviewing your medical assistant school alternatives, you need to determine which type of credential you want to attain, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online at home. As soon as those decisions have been made, you can begin the process of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of potential students limit their searches to the colleges that are closest to Silver Springs NV with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifications, they are by no means the only ones. There are several additional issues that you should examine when evaluating schools. To help you with that process, below are some questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are thinking about before making your ultimate choice.

Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are a number of great reasons to ensure that the school you choose is accredited. To begin with, accreditation helps ensure that the training 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 acknowledged 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. Additionally, if you anticipate applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, many potential Silver Springs NV employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.

What is the School’s Passage Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant schools create their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification exams. To start with, you must find out which of the certifications the colleges you are considering are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for instance, then of course you will need to enroll in a program concentrating on that certification. Second, learn what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. Doing this is just one of the ways to help evaluate the quality of a college’s program. Naturally schools with low rates are ones that you will want to eliminate.

Which Credentials are Available? As we covered earlier, there are basically two paths to getting medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and get entry level training in the shortest amount of time, from as little as 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 about 2 years to finish in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you decide to pursue, confirm that the schools you are looking at offer the kind of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Provided? A large number of medical assistant colleges offer internship programs with Silver Springs NV area medical care providers. They are an excellent means to get hands-on practical experience and training. They can also help students develop relationships within the Silver Springs medical community. And as an additional perk, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews as well.

Is Job Placement Service Offered? Finding that very first job may be a daunting task for graduating medical assistant students unless they have a little help from a job placement program. Confirm that the colleges you are interviewing offer job placement assistance in the Silver Springs NV area and ask 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 positions.

How Big are the Classes? Class size may be an indicator of how much individual instruction you will receive during your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to offer greater access to teachers and face to face interaction. If possible, try to sit in on a few classes before choosing a program to witness what the teaching environment is like and just how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Convenient? If you plan on attending a medical assistant college while you continue to work on a full time basis, it’s essential that the program you choose offers classes that accommodate your schedule. If you have to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Silver Springs NV, verify that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online college, but you will also need to schedule any internships or clinical training that will be required. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Silver Springs Nevada?

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

Silver Springs, Nevada

Silver Springs is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lyon County, Nevada, United States at the intersection of U.S. 50 (California Trail) and U.S. 95A. The population was 5,296 at the 2010 census. Lahontan Reservoir, Lahontan State Recreation Area and historic Fort Churchill State Historic Park are all located nearby. The area is served by the Silver Springs Airport.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 4,708 people, 1,766 households, and 1,227 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 65.0 people per square mile (25.1/km2). There were 1,935 housing units at an average density of 26.7 per square mile (10.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.67% White, 1.21% African American, 1.83% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 1.47% from other races, and 3.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.63% of the population.

There were 1,766 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.

Select the Ideal Medical Assistant School Silver Springs NV

Silver Springs NV medical assistant studentIt’s important to start your new career on the right foot by picking a medical assistant program that will provide the appropriate training. Whether you’re objective is to launch a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your lifetime career, you must get the appropriate info on available programs before making your decision. There are so many colleges 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 choose is accredited by an acknowledged agency, for example the CAAHEP. This is particularly important if you anticipate taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Medical Assistant Credentials. But regardless of the type of credential that you intend to earn or if you have decided to attend either an online or on-campus school, be sure to ask the questions we have provided so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the right program you can subsequently start a fulfilling career as a medical assistant in Silver Springs NV.

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