Certified Medical Assistant Programs
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Bangor Maine

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a medical assistant school near Bangor ME so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. And so that you pick the right one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you are considering. Many prospective students start by checking out the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their residences and then gravitate toward those that have the most affordable tuition. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. You may decide to research a few online medical assistant programs as an option also (more on that later). The bottom line is that before you select a program you need to complete your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are examining. And to assist you with that task, we have included several questions that you need to ask each of the colleges on your "maybe" list. But prior to starting that review, let's briefly talk about the function of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are available.

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Medical Assistant Job Responsibilities 

The job of a medical assistant can be varied as well as challenging. Essentially their job is to make sure that the Bangor ME hospitals, clinics and other healthcare centers where they work operate successfully. Based on the size or type of facility, they may be more of a clinical assistant, an administrative assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are tasked with giving direct assistance to the physicians, nurses and other medical practitioners but can also be found working in an office or at the front desk. Some of the possible functions of a medical assistant include:

• Filling out insurance forms and submitting claims
• Setting and verifying appointments
• Taking vital signs and weighing patients
• Collecting blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
• Preparing instruments and rooms for physicians
• Providing general support during examinations and procedures

Although medical assistants can perform almost any activity they are authorized to under Maine law, some elect to specialize in a specific area and earn certification. Two of the choices offered are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Programs

In contrast to many other medical practitioners, medical assistants are not mandated to become certified, licensed, or to obtain a college degree. However, a number of Bangor ME health care employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (more on accreditation later ) that have earned certification. There are essentially two choices available for a formal education. The first and fastest path to becoming a medical assistant is to acquire a diploma or a certificate. These programs normally take about one year to complete, some as little as six to nine months. They are created to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to acquire an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs available at community and junior colleges as well as technical and vocational schools. They are more extensive in design than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant courses. They usually have a practical element requiring an internship with a local healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are routinely a pre-requisite for and credits can be transferred to a 4 year Bachelor's Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.

Medical Assistant Certification Options

As stated previously, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is a good option for those who wish to boost their careers. Not only will it help in attaining a position after graduation, but it can also enhance initial salary negotiations. Many possible Bangor ME medical employers just will not hire a medical assistant that has not received certification or accredited formal training. The most popular and possibly the most highly regarded certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to apply for the CMA exam, a candidate must be a graduate or will graduate within thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are available as well, including the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.

Medical Assistant Online Training

There are many accredited medical assistant programs available online also. They are an excellent alternative for students who might not have the time to go to classes on campus but could work them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good alternative for students who continue to work full-time while attaining their degree or certificate. As an extra benefit, some online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more conventional on-campus options. Supplemental expenses such as for commuting, textbooks and school supplies might be lessened also. But remember that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can often be completed in Bangor ME area medical facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of participating in supervised classes on-campus, then this mode of receiving your education might be the ideal choice for you. Between the online courses and the clinical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Prior to reviewing your medical assistant school options, you need to determine which type of credential you would like to attain, and if you would prefer attending classes on-campus or online from home. After those selections have been made, you can start the process of researching medical assistant schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, some prospective students confine their searches to the schools that are closest to Bangor ME with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are important qualifiers, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional considerations that you must examine when researching programs. To assist you with that process, following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are thinking about before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Medical Assistant School Accredited? There are many great reasons to make certain that the program you choose is accredited. First, accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you intend to become certified, you need to complete an accredited program. Two of the approved organizations 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 anticipate obtaining a student loan or financial aid, they are often not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as previously mentioned, a number of potential Bangor ME employers will not employ a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.

What is the Program's Passage Rate? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools develop their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification exams. To start with, you must learn which of the certifications the schools you are considering are preparing their students to take. If you are interested in taking the CMA for instance, then obviously you will want to choose a program concentrating on that certification. Second, learn what the school's passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. This is just one of the ways to help assess the quality of a school's program. Obviously schools with low rates are ones that you will want to avoid.

Which Credentials are Provided? As we covered earlier, there are generally two paths to getting medical assistant training. You can choose a diploma or certificate program and obtain entry level training in the shortest amount of time, from as little as 6 months, although the average is closer to one year. Or you can choose to obtain an Associate Degree and get a broader education that will take approximately 2 years to finish in a community college or trade school. Whichever program you choose to enroll in, make sure that the colleges you are considering offer the type of program you are interested in.

Are Internships Available? A large number of medical assistant colleges sponsor internship programs with Bangor ME area health care providers. They are a great method to get hands-on practical experience and training. They can also assist students build relationships within the Bangor medical community. And as an added perk, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews too.

Is Job Placement Help Supplied? Finding that very first job can be a daunting undertaking for graduating medical assistant students unless they receive some assistance from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are evaluating offer job placement assistance in the Bangor ME area and ask what their placement rate is. If a college has a higher job placement rate for its graduates, it affirms that it has a good reputation within the medical community. It also signifies that it has a wide network of employers to help place students in positions.

How Big are the Classrooms? Class size might be an indicator of how much personal attention you will get throughout your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to furnish increased access to instructors and face to face interaction. If possible, try to attend a couple of classes before choosing a program to experience what the teaching environment is like and how much attention the students receive.

Is Class Scheduling Accessible? If you plan on attending a medical assistant program while you continue working full time, it's important that the college you select provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Bangor ME, make sure that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in easier with an online program, but you will also need to schedule any clinical training or internships 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.

Learn How to Train to Become a CMA in Bangor

Enroll in the Right Bangor Medical Assistant School

It's imperative to start your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant college that will provide 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 lifetime career, you must obtain the right info on available programs before making your decision. There are such a large number of schools providing training nowadays that you can make a selection based on your individual circumstances and personal preferences. And as we have covered in this article, verify that the program you choose is accredited by an acknowledged organization, 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 plan to earn or if you have made a decision to attend either an on-campus or online school, don't forget to ask the questions we have provided in order to compare programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the right program you can ultimately begin a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Bangor Maine.

 

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