Certified Medical Assistant Schools
How to Choose the Right One Near Bridgeport Connecticut
Once you have decided to join the rewarding field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant school near Bridgeport CT, it's time to choose a school that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? When looking for medical assistant schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. Online medical assistant courses are another option that you may decide is a more beneficial way to get your training (more on that topic later). The bottom line is that before you select a college you must finish your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are examining. And to assist you with that task, we have provided a few questions that you need to ask each of the schools on your "maybe" list. But before we start that review, let's briefly talk about the kind of training and credentials that are offered.
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Medical Assistant Training Courses
Compared to many other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, many Bridgeport CT health care employers would rather hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we'll cover accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are basically two options provided for a formal education. The first and shortest route to becoming a medical assistant is to earn a certificate or diploma. These programs generally take about one year to complete, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are created to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to obtain an Associate Degree, which are usually 2 year programs available at community and junior colleges as well as technical and vocational schools. They are more comprehensive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They usually have a clinical element requiring an internship with a local healthcare practice. Associate Degrees are routinely 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 previously mentioned, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good choice for graduates who want to boost their careers. It will not only help in obtaining a job after graduation, but it may also enhance initial salary negotiations. Some possible Bridgeport CT medical employers simply will not employ a medical assistant that has not obtained accredited formal training or certification. Among the most popular and arguably the most highly regarded certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify to take the CMA exam, an applicant must have graduated or will graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are available also, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we discussed earlier which are provided by the NHA.
Online Medical Assistant Classes
There are numerous accredited medical assistant programs accessible online as well. They are an excellent option for those 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 option for students who continue to work full time while attaining their certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, many online programs have lower tuitions than the more conventional on campus alternatives. Supplemental expenses such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies can be reduced also. Just bear in mind that any requirements for clinical training or internships must still be satisfied, but they can typically be completed in Bridgeport CT area medical care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of participating in supervised classes on campus, then this method of getting your education may be the ideal choice for you. Between the online classes and the practical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is furnished.
What to Ask Medical Assistant Schools
Before you can start reviewing your medical assistant school options, you have to choose which type of credential you would like to attain, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online from home. As soon as those choices have been made, you can start the process of evaluating medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, some prospective students restrict their searches to the colleges that are closest to Bridgeport CT with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are significant qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are several additional considerations that you need to explore when researching schools. To help you with that task, below are some questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are thinking about before making your final choice.
Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are many great reasons to ensure that the college you select is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Second, if you intend to become certified, you must complete an accredited program. Two of the acknowledged 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 program is not accredited by one of these agencies, you will not be qualified to take the CMA exam. Additionally, if you intend on applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are often not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, as previously mentioned, a number of potential Bridgeport CT employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.
What is the School's Passing Rate? Most of the accredited medical assistant colleges develop their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification exams. To start with, you need to learn which of the certifications the programs you are considering are preparing their students for. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then obviously you will need to select a program targeting that certification. Next, learn what the program's passage rate is for the certification and contrast it to the national average. This is one of the means to help assess the quality of a college's program. Naturally schools with low rates are those that you will want to eliminate.
Which Credentials are Available? As we previously covered, there are basically two routes to obtaining 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 1 year. Or you can elect to earn an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will take approximately two years to accomplish in a junior 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 have an interest in.
Are Internships Offered? Many medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Bridgeport CT area medical providers. They are an excellent means to receive hands-on clinical training and experience. They may also help students develop relationships within the Bridgeport healthcare community. And as an additional benefit, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.
Is Job Placement Service Provided? Getting that first job may be a difficult undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain a little assistance from a job placement program. Confirm that the colleges you are researching offer job placement assistance in the Bridgeport CT area and ask what their placement rate is. If a program has a high job placement rate for its graduates, it affirms that it has an excellent reputation within the healthcare community. It also signifies that it has a wide network of contacts to help place students in jobs.
How Big 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 provide greater access to instructors and one-on-one interaction. If possible, try to sit in on a few classes before choosing a program to see 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 school while you continue working full time, it's essential that the program you select offers classes that fit your schedule. If you need to attend 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 program, but you will also need to schedule all internships or practical training that will be required. Additionally, find out what the policy is for making up classes that you might have to miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
Learn How to Study to Become a Medical Assistant 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 provide 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 life long career, you must acquire the appropriate info on available programs prior to making your decision. There are such a large number of schools offering training nowadays that you can make a selection based upon your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have addressed in this article, make certain that the program you choose is accredited by a recognized agency, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you plan on taking the CMA certification exam. Regardless of the kind of credential that you plan to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an online or on-campus 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 right program you can subsequently start a gratifying career as a medical assistant in Bridgeport Connecticut.
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