Certified Medical Assistant Programs
How to Pick the Right One Near Juneau Alaska

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a medical assistant program near Juneau AK so you can receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. And in order to pick the best one you must evaluate and compare each of the schools you are considering. Many future students begin by evaluating the medical assistant schools that are closest to their homes and then gravitate toward those that have the lowest tuition. While cost and location are extremely important such things as accreditation, internship programs and job assistance are important factors also. You might choose to take a look at some online medical assistant programs as an alternative also (more on that later). Irrespective of your leaning toward either online or on campus schooling, the main point is that you must do your due diligence prior to selecting a program. And to assist you with that task, we have included several questions that you need to ask each of the schools on your "maybe" list. But prior to starting that review, let's briefly talk about the role of a medical assistant and the type of credentials and training that are available.

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Medical Assistant Job Description 

The responsibilities of a medical assistant can be varied as well as demanding. Primarily their function is ensure that the Juneau AK clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities where they work operate efficiently. Depending on the size or type of facility, they can be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative 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 performing duties in an office or at the front desk. Some of the many responsibilities of a medical assistant include:

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

Although medical assistants may carry out almost any task they are qualified to under Alaska law, some choose to specialize in a specific area and earn 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

In contrast to many other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to obtain a college degree. However, a number of Juneau AK health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that are certified. There are essentially two choices provided for a formal education. The first and quickest path to becoming a medical assistant is to obtain a certificate or diploma. These programs generally take about one year to complete, some as little as 6 to 9 months. They are developed to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are normally two year programs provided at junior and community colleges as well as technical and vocational schools. They are more expansive in design than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They frequently have a clinical component involving an internship with a local medical practice. Associate Degrees are often 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 Certification Programs

As stated previously, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent idea for graduates who wish to advance their careers. Not only will it help in getting a job after graduation, but it may also enhance initial salary negotiations. Some potential Juneau AK medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not obtained certification or accredited formal training. Among the most popular and possibly the most highly regarded certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to apply for the CMA exam, an applicant must be a graduate or will graduate within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are available also, including the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.

Medical Assistant Online Classes

There are a number of accredited medical assistant programs offered online too. They are an excellent option for individuals who may not have the time to go to classes on campus but could work them in if attended at home. This is a particularly good alternative for students who continue to work full-time while pursuing their certificate or degree. As an added benefit, some online programs have lower tuitions than the more conventional on campus options. Supplemental expenses including those for commuting, textbooks and school supplies can be reduced also. Just remember that all requirements for practical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can usually be carried out in Juneau AK area medical facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of attending supervised classes on-campus, then this method of receiving your training may be the right option for you. With the online courses and the practical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Colleges

Before you can start examining your medical assistant school alternatives, you must determine which kind of credential you want to earn, and if you would prefer attending classes on campus or online at home. After those decisions have been made, you can begin the process of researching medical assistant schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, some students confine their searches to the colleges that are closest to Juneau AK with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional issues that you need to look at when researching schools. To assist you with that task, following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are thinking about before making your final selection.

Is the Medical Assistant School Accredited? There are many great reasons to ensure that the school you select is accredited. First, accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you intend to become certified, you must 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 organizations, you will not be eligible to take the CMA exam. Additionally, if you plan on applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as mentioned previously, a number of potential Juneau AK employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.

What is the School's Passing Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools develop their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. First, you must learn 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 naturally you will need to enroll in a program concentrating on that certification. Next, find out what the program's passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. This is one of the means to help assess the quality of a school's program. Of course schools with low rates are those that you will prefer to avoid.

Which Credentials are Available? As we covered earlier, there are basically two paths to acquiring medical assistant training. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program and receive entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can elect to earn an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will take about 2 years to finish in a junior college or trade school. Whichever program you choose to enroll in, make certain that the schools you are considering provide the kind of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Available? Numerous medical assistant colleges offer internship programs with Juneau AK area healthcare providers. They are an excellent way to obtain hands-on practical training and experience. They may also help students establish relationships within the Juneau healthcare community. And as an additional benefit, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing that first job may be a challenging task for medical assistant school graduates unless they receive a little help from a job placement program. Verify that the schools you are researching provide job placement assistance in the Juneau AK 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 a good reputation within the health care community. It also indicates that it has a large network of employers to help place students in jobs.

How Large are the Classrooms? Class size might be an indicator of how much personal instruction you will get throughout your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to furnish increased access to instructors and one-on-one interaction. If possible, try to sit in on a few classes before selecting a school to see what the teaching atmosphere is like and just how much attention the students receive.

Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you plan on attending a medical assistant school while you continue to work full time, it's important that the school you select offers classes that fit your schedule. If you have to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Juneau AK, verify that those times are available. You may be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online school, but you will also need to schedule any internships or practical training that may be required. Additionally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn How to Become a Medical Assistant in Juneau

Choose the Right Juneau Medical Assistant School

It's imperative to start your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant school that will furnish the appropriate training. Whether you're goal is to begin 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 prior to making your selection. There are such a large number of schools offering training these days that you can make a decision based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have discussed in this article, verify that the program you decide on is accredited by a recognized organization, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially important if you intend on taking the CMA certification exam. 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 picking the ideal program you can ultimately start a gratifying career as a medical assistant in Juneau Alaska.

 

Juneau Medical Assistant Schools | Juneau Medical Assistant Training