Certified Medical Assistant School Programs
How to Find the Right One Near Bridgeport Connecticut
It’s time to choose and enroll in a medical assistant program near Bridgeport CT in order to receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? When checking out medical assistant programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. Medical assistant online courses are an alternative that you may decide is a more advantageous way to get your training (more on that later). The bottom line is that prior to selecting a program you must finish your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the colleges you are reviewing. And to assist you with that task, we have furnished some questions that you should ask each of the schools on your short list. But before we start that review, let's briefly talk about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of credentials and training that are offered.
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Medical Assistant Job Responsibilities
The job of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as demanding. Basically their duty is ensure that the Bridgeport CT hospitals, clinics and other medical care centers where they work operate successfully. Based 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 giving direct assistance to the nurses, doctors and other health professionals but may also be found performing duties at the front desk or in an office. Some of the potential duties of a medical assistant include:
- Completing insurance forms and filing claims
- Scheduling and confirming appointments
- Taking vital signs and weighing patients
- Collecting blood and other tissue and fluid samples
- Preparing instruments and rooms for doctors
- Providing basic support during examinations and procedures
Although medical assistants may carry out almost any activity they are authorized to under Connecticut law, some choose to specialize in a specific area and attain certification. Two of the options available are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Medical Assistant Education
Compared to many other medical professionals, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, many Bridgeport CT health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (we'll cover accreditation later ) that are certified. There are generally two options offered for a formal education. The first and fastest route to becoming a medical assistant is to acquire a diploma or a certificate. These programs normally take about one year to complete, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are designed to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are typically 2 year programs offered at junior and community colleges as well as trade 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 usually have a practical component requiring an internship with a local medical 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 Certification Options
As earlier stated, becoming certified is not a legal mandate, but is an excellent option for individuals who wish to boost their careers. Not only will it help in securing employment after graduation, but it may also help with preliminary salary negotiations. Some possible Bridgeport CT medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not received accredited formal training or certification. One of the most popular and arguably the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to take the CMA exam, a candidate must be a graduate or will be graduating within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Alternative certifications are available as well, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.
Medical Assistant Online Classes
There are numerous accredited medical assistant programs available online too. 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 a particularly good alternative for students who continue to work full time while pursuing their degree or certificate. As an extra benefit, many online programs have lower tuitions than the more traditional on campus alternatives. Supplemental expenses including those for commuting, textbooks and school supplies can be reduced also. Just remember that any requirements for practical training or internships must still be fulfilled, but they can typically be carried out in Bridgeport CT area healthcare facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of going to supervised classes on-campus, then this mode of getting your education might be the ideal choice for you. Between the online lessons and the practical training, everything necessary to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.
Concerns to Ask Medical Assistant Programs
Before you can start evaluating your medical assistant school alternatives, you have to determine which kind of credential you want to earn, and if you want to attend classes on campus or online at home. As soon as those selections have been made, you can begin the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, some students restrict their searches to the colleges that are nearest to Bridgeport CT with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are several additional issues that you need to explore when evaluating programs. To help you with that process, below are some questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are thinking about before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Medical Assistant College Accredited? There are a number of great reasons to verify that the school you choose is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps ensure that the instruction you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you plan on becoming certified, you need to complete an accredited program. Two of the approved 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 examination. Also, if you anticipate applying for a student loan or financial aid, they are normally not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, a number of prospective Bridgeport CT employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited college.
What is the Program's Passage Percentage? Most of the accredited medical assistant schools develop their programs to ready students to pass one or more certification exams. First, you need to learn which of the certifications the schools you are reviewing are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then naturally you will want to choose a program concentrating on that certification. Next, ask what the school'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. Obviously programs with low rates are those that you will want to avoid.
Which Credentials are Provided? As we previously covered, there are essentially two paths to getting medical assistant training. You can enroll in a certificate or diploma program and get entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is closer to one year. Or you can decide to acquire an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will require approximately two years to accomplish in a community college or trade school. Whichever program you decide to enroll in, make sure that the schools you are reviewing provide the kind of program you are interested in.
Are Internships Available? Numerous medical assistant colleges offer internship programs with Bridgeport CT area health care providers. They are a great way to receive hands-on practical training and experience. They may also assist students establish relationships within the Bridgeport medical community. And as an added perk, they are an advantage on resumes and for job interviews too.
Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding that very first job may be a challenging undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they receive a little help from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are evaluating provide job placement assistance in the Bridgeport CT area and find out what their placement rate is. If a program has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the medical community. It also indicates 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 get throughout your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to furnish greater access to teachers and face to face interaction. If possible, try to monitor a few classes before selecting a school to witness what the teaching atmosphere is like and just how much attention the students get.
Is Class Scheduling Accommodating? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant college while you continue working full time, it's imperative that the program you select offers classes that fit your schedule. If you have to go to classes at night or on weekends near Bridgeport CT, make sure that those times are available. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online school, but you will also have to schedule any internships or clinical training that will be required. Additionally, ask what the policy is for making up classes that you might have to miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
More Info on How to Train to Become a CMA in Bridgeport
Choose the Right Bridgeport Medical Assistant Program
It's essential to begin your new career on the right foot by selecting a medical assistant school that will furnish the proper training. Whether you're planning to begin a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to pursue medical assistance as your life long career, you must acquire the right information on available programs prior to making your decision. There are so many colleges 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, confirm that the program you decide on is accredited by a recognized agency, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you plan on taking the CMA certification exam. Irrespective of the kind of credential that you intend to earn or if you have decided to attend either an online or on-campus school, make sure to ask the questions we have provided so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by selecting the ideal program you can ultimately start a gratifying career as a medical assistant in Bridgeport Connecticut.
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