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Medical Assistant Programs
In contrast to many other healthcare practitioners, medical assistants are not mandated to become certified, licensed, or to earn a college degree. However, a number of California health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (more on accreditation later ) that are certified. There are generally two options provided for a formal education. The first and fastest way to becoming a medical assistant is to earn a certificate or diploma. These programs generally take about one year to complete, some as little as six to nine months. They are developed to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to earn an Associate Degree, which are usually 2 year programs available at junior and community colleges together with vocational and technical schools. They are more expansive in design than the diploma or certificate 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 medical practice. Associate Degrees are often a pre-requisite for and credits can be transferred to a four year Bachelor's Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a related field.
Medical Assistant Certification Options
As earlier stated, becoming certified is not a legal mandate, but is a good idea for those who want to advance their careers. Not only will it help in attaining employment after graduation, but it might also help with preliminary salary negotiations. Many possible California medical employers just will not employ a medical assistant that has not received accredited formal training or certification. The most popular and arguably the most highly regarded certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered 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, for instance the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.
Medical Assistant Online Training
There are a number of accredited medical assistant programs offered online too. They are an excellent choice for individuals who might not have time to go to classes on campus but could fit them in if attended at home. This is a particularly good option for students who continue working full-time while earning their certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, some online schools have lower tuitions than the more conventional on-campus alternatives. Ancillary costs including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies can be minimized also. Just keep in mind that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can typically be performed in California healthcare facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of attending supervised classes on campus, then this approach to receiving your education might be the right choice for you. Between the online lessons and the clinical training, everything necessary to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.