3 Month Medical Assistant Program Fieldale VA

How to Pick a Medical Assistant School Program near Fieldale Virginia

Fieldale VA medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Fieldale VA, it’s time to select a college that will provide the proper training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? Many potential students begin by researching the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their residences and then lean toward those that have the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are extremely important such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important issues also. You might decide to research several online medical assistant programs as an alternative as well (more on that later). The bottom line is that before you select a program you need to complete your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the colleges you are assessing. And to help you with that process, we have furnished several questions that you need to ask each of the schools 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 kind of training and credentials that are available.

The Job of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Fieldale VA nursing home patientThe duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Basically their function is ensure that the Fieldale VA hospitals, clinics and other healthcare institutions where they work run efficiently. 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 physicians, nurses and other medical practitioners 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:

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

While medical assistants can perform almost any duty they are authorized to under Virginia law, some opt 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

Unlike many other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, many Fieldale VA health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that are certified. There are generally 2 options provided for a formal education. The first and quickest route to becoming a medical assistant is to acquire a certificate or diploma. These programs normally take about 1 year to finish, a few as little as six to nine months. They are developed to teach the basics of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to attain an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs offered at junior and community colleges as well as technical and vocational schools. They are more extensive in nature than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They usually have a practical component involving an internship with a local healthcare practice. Associate Degrees are commonly 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 Schools

woman attending medical assistant school online in Fieldale VAThere are numerous accredited medical assistant programs available online also. They are an excellent option for individuals who may not have time to go to classes on campus but could fit them in if attended at home. This is a particularly good choice for students who continue to work full time while earning their degree or certificate. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs have lower tuitions than the more conventional on-campus alternatives. Supplemental costs including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies may be minimized also. But keep in mind that any requirements for clinical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can typically be carried out in Fieldale VA area medical facilities. If you can learn without the formal structure of participating in supervised classes on campus, then this approach to receiving your education may be the ideal option for you. With the online classes and the practical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As stated previously, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent idea for those who wish to boost their careers. It will not only help in attaining a position after graduation, but it can also enhance initial salary negotiations. Some potential Fieldale VA medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not obtained accredited formal training or certification. Among the most popular and perhaps the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to take the CMA exam, a candidate must have graduated or will graduate within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are available as well, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.

Concerns to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Fieldale VA medical assistant programsPrior to reviewing your medical assistant school options, you have to determine which type of credential you would like to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online from home. Once those choices have been made, you can start the process of researching medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, some prospective students restrict their searches to the colleges that are closest to Fieldale VA with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are several additional issues that you should examine when researching programs. To assist you with that process, below are a few questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to verify that the program you enroll in is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps ensure that the instruction you receive will be both extensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you plan on becoming certified, you need to enroll in an accredited program. Two of the acknowledged 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 school is not accredited by one of these organizations, you will not be qualified to take the CMA exam. Also, if you plan on applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are often not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, as mentioned previously, many potential Fieldale VA 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 colleges develop their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification examinations. First, you must determine which of the certifications the colleges you are looking at are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for instance, then obviously you will need to choose a program focused on that certification. Second, learn what the program’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. This is just one of the ways to help assess the quality of a school’s program. Naturally schools with low rates are those that you will prefer to avoid.

Which Credentials are Provided? As we covered earlier, there are generally two routes to getting medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and receive entry level training in the fastest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can decide to acquire an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will require about two years to finish in a junior college or vocational school. Whatever program you choose to enroll in, make sure that the schools you are considering provide the type of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Offered? Numerous medical assistant programs sponsor internship programs with Fieldale VA area medical care providers. They are an excellent method to get hands-on practical training and experience. They can also help students establish relationships within the Fieldale health care community. And as an added benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews as well.

Is Job Placement Support Furnished? Finding that very first job can be a daunting task for medical assistant school graduates unless they have a little help from a job placement program. Confirm that the schools you are interviewing offer job placement assistance in the Fieldale VA area and find out what their placement rate is. If a college has a higher job placement rate for its students, it indicates that it has an excellent reputation within the medical community. It also indicates that it has a large network of employers to help place students in jobs.

How Big are the Classrooms? Class size might be an indicator of how much personal instruction you will receive throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to provide greater access to teachers and one-on-one interaction. If convenient, try to attend a few classes before choosing a school to witness 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 college while you continue working full-time, it’s essential that the college you select provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Fieldale VA, verify that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online program, but you will still have to schedule any internships or clinical training that might be required. Additionally, find out what the policy 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 Fieldale Virginia?

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

Fieldale, Virginia

The area was first settled in 1760 by planter George Waller, an officer in the state militia who was later promoted to Colonel, and his wife Ann Winston (Carr), first cousin of statesman Patrick Henry, as a protected ford across the Smith River.[3] The local militia trained on Col. Waller's acreage.[4] The settlement was subsequently known as Waller's Ford for over a century. A Virginia Historical Highway Marker unveiled in September 2007 marks the location of Col. Waller's plantation.[5] In 1916, Marshall Field & Company purchased the site from the Waller heirs and established Fieldcrest Mills, the town of Fieldale, and an 8,500-square-foot (790 m2) company clubhouse, all completed in 1919.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 929 people, 420 households, and 275 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 575.6 people per square mile (222.8/km²). There were 473 housing units at an average density of 293.1/sq mi (113.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.20% White, 1.83% African American, 0.11% Pacific Islander, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.

There were 420 households out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.78.

Choose the Right Medical Assistant Training Fieldale VA

Fieldale VA medical assistant studentIt’s essential to start your new career on the right foot by enrolling in a medical assistant program that will furnish the right training. Regardless if 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 appropriate info on available programs before making your selection. There are such a large number of colleges offering training these days that you can make a selection based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have covered in this article, make certain that the program you select is accredited by an acknowledged agency, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you anticipate taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in 3 Month Medical Assistant Program. But irrespective of the kind of credential that you plan to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an on-campus or online school, don’t forget 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 begin a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Fieldale VA.

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