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Medical Assistant Training
In contrast to many other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become licensed, certified, or to have a college degree. However, many Ohio health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we'll cover accreditation later ) that are certified. There are generally two options available for a formal education. The first and quickest route to becoming a medical assistant is to earn a diploma or a certificate. These programs usually take about one year to complete, a few as little as six to nine 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 usually two year programs provided 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 liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They often have a clinical component involving an internship with a local medical facility. Associate Degrees are often a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a four year Bachelor's Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.
Medical Assistant Certification Programs
As earlier stated, certification is not a legal mandate, but is a good idea for graduates who want to advance their careers. Not only will it help in obtaining a job after graduation, but it might also help with initial salary negotiations. A number of potential Ohio medical employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not attained certification or accredited formal training. Among the most popular and possibly the most respected 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 thirty days from an accredited medical assistant program. Alternative certifications are offered also, including the CCMA and the CMAA that we discussed earlier which are offered by the NHA.
Online Medical Assistant Training
There are many accredited medical assistant programs available online as well. They are a good option for students who might not have the time to attend classes on campus but could fit them in if accessible at home. This is a particularly good choice for students who continue working full-time while attaining their certificate or degree. As an extra benefit, some online schools have cheaper tuitions than the more traditional on campus options. Ancillary costs including those for textbooks, commuting and school supplies might be lessened as well. But keep in mind that any requirements for practical training or internships must still be met, but they can usually be carried out in Ohio health care facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of going to supervised classes on campus, then this method of getting your education might be the best option for you. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything needed to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant is provided.