How to Pick a Medical Assistant School near Eau Claire Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to enter the gratifying profession of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Eau Claire WI, it’s time to select a school that will provide the proper training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? Most future students start by checking out the medical assistant schools that are closest to their homes and then gravitate toward those that have the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are very important, such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are critical factors as well. You may want to look into some online medical assistant programs as an alternative also (more about that later). The main point is that before you select a college you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all relevant aspects of the schools you are reviewing. And to assist you with that process, we have included some questions that you need to ask all of the schools on your “maybe” list. But prior to starting 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 Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant

The role of a medical assistant can be varied as well as demanding. Primarily their role is ensure that the Eau Claire WI hospitals, clinics and other healthcare centers where they work operate 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 responsible for providing direct assistance to the nurses, doctors and other health professionals but can also be found performing duties at the front desk or in an office. Some of the possible duties of a medical assistant include:

• Completing insurance forms and filing claims
• Setting and confirming appointments
• Taking vital signs and weighing patients
• Collecting blood and other tissue and fluid specimens
• Preparing instruments and rooms for doctors
• Supplying general support during examinations and procedures

Even though medical assistants can carry out almost any duty they are qualified to under Wisconsin law, some elect to specialize in a particular area and attain certification. Two of the options available are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Courses

In contrast to most other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to have a college degree. However, many Eau Claire WI health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are basically two options provided for a formal education. The first and quickest route to becoming a medical assistant is to attain a certificate or diploma. These programs normally take about one 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 2 year programs provided at junior and community colleges as well as technical and vocational schools. They are more comprehensive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They frequently have a clinical element 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.

Online Medical Assistant Programs

There are a number of accredited medical assistant programs available online as well. They are an excellent choice for students who may not have the time to go to classes on campus but could work them in if accessible 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, some online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on campus alternatives. Supplemental expenses including those for commuting, textbooks and school supplies might be reduced also. But bear in mind that any requirements for practical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can usually be carried out in Eau Claire WI area medical care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of going to supervised classes on campus, then this mode of receiving your training might be the ideal choice for you. Between the online classes and the practical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As previously mentioned, certification is not a legal mandate, but is an excellent choice for those who wish to boost their careers. Not only will it help in obtaining employment after graduation, but it can also enhance preliminary salary negotiations. Some potential Eau Claire WI medical employers just will not employ a medical assistant that has not received certification or accredited formal training. The most popular and possibly 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 examination, an applicant must be a graduate 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

Before you can start evaluating your medical assistant school options, you have to determine which kind of credential you would like to attain, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online at home. After those selections have been made, you can start the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of students restrict their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Eau Claire WI with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are several additional considerations that you need to examine when assessing schools. To help you with that task, below are some questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are a number of good reasons to confirm that the school you select is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps ensure that the instruction you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, 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 school is not accredited by either of these agencies, 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 frequently not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as mentioned previously, many prospective Eau Claire WI employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.

What is the Program’s Passage Rate? The majority of accredited medical assistant colleges develop their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. First, you need to find out which of the certifications the schools you are looking at are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then of course you will need to choose a program focused on that certification. Next, ask what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. This is just 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 Credentials are Offered? As we previously covered, there are generally two routes to obtaining medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and receive entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, however the average is about one year. Or you can decide to acquire an Associate Degree and receive a broader education that will require about 2 years to accomplish in a junior college or trade school. Whatever program you elect to enroll in, confirm that the schools you are considering provide the type of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Available? Many medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Eau Claire WI area medical care providers. They are an excellent way to receive hands-on clinical experience and training. They may also help students establish relationships within the Eau Claire health care community. And as an additional perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.

Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Finding that very first job can be a difficult undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they receive a little help from a job placement program. Verify that the schools you are interviewing provide job placement assistance in the Eau Claire WI area and ask what their placement rate is. If a college has a high job placement rate for its students, it indicates that it has a good reputation within the medical community. It also indicates that it has a broad network of employers to help place students in jobs.

How Big are the Classrooms? Class size can be an indicator of how much personal instruction you will receive during your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to provide increased access to teachers and one-on-one interaction. If practical, try to sit in on a couple of classes before selecting a program to witness what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Convenient? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant program while you continue to work full time, it’s essential that the program you enroll in provides classes that fit your schedule. If you have to attend classes at night or on weekends near Eau Claire WI, confirm that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online program, but you will also need to schedule all clinical training or internships that may be required. Additionally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Eau Claire Wisconsin?

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

Select the Right Medical Assistant Program Eau Claire WI

It’s essential to start your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant program that will furnish the right training. Whether you’re objective is to begin a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you need to acquire the appropriate info on available programs prior to making your selection. There are so many schools offering training these days that you can make a selection based on your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have addressed in this article, make sure that the program you decide on is accredited by a recognized agency, such as the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you anticipate taking the CMA certification examination. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Colleges That Offer Medical Assistant Degrees. 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 so you can evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the right program you can subsequently start a gratifying career as a medical assistant in Eau Claire WI.

More Medical Locations in Wisconsin

Clinical Medical Assistant Niagara WI

What Can A Medical Assistant Do Black Earth WI

Evening Medical Assistant Programs Coon Valley WI

Medical Assistant Training Program Arena WI

Medical Assistant Student Marshall WI

Medical Assistant Class Requirements Centuria WI

Medical Assistant Vocational Schools Clear Lake WI

How Long Is Medical Assistant Training Oregon WI

Medical Assistant Classes Online Germantown WI

Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate Program Viroqua WI