How to Pick a Medical Assistant Course in Odessa Washington
Once you have made a decision to join the gratifying field of healthcare and enroll in a medical assistant course in Odessa WA, it’s time to select a college that will furnish the proper training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently pick the right one? Many future students start by checking out the medical assistant schools that are nearest to their homes and then lean toward those that have the most affordable tuition. While location and cost are extremely important such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important factors as well. You might choose to take a look at some online medical assistant programs as an alternative as well (more on that later). The bottom line is that before you select a college you need to finish your due diligence and compare all relevant aspects of the colleges you are evaluating. And to help you with that task, we have included a few questions that you need to ask each of the colleges on your short list. But prior to starting that review, let’s talk a little bit about the function of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are offered.
The Job of a Medical Assistant
The duties of a medical assistant can be diverse as well as challenging. Basically their role is to make sure that the Odessa WA hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities where they work run successfully. Depending on the type or size of facility, they may be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller facilities both. They are responsible for giving direct support to the physicians, nurses and other medical practitioners but may also be found working in an office or at the front desk. Some of the potential duties of a medical assistant include:
- Completing insurance forms and filing claims
- Setting and confirming appointments
- Taking vital signs and weighing patients
- Taking blood and other fluid and tissue samples
- Preparing rooms and instruments for physicians
- Supplying basic support during examinations and procedures
Although Odessa WA medical assistants may perform almost any task they are authorized to under Washington law, some opt to specialize in a specific area and earn certification. Two of the choices 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 Training Courses and Certification
In contrast to most other medical practitioners, medical assistants are not required to become licensed, certified, or to earn a college degree. However, a number of Odessa WA employers prefer to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training program (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that are certified. There are generally two choices provided for a formal education. The first and shortest path 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 6 to 9 months. They are developed to teach the basics of medical assisting and prepare graduates for entry level positions. The second alternative is to earn an Associate Degree, which are typically two year programs provided at community and junior colleges as well as vocational and technical schools. They are more extensive in nature than the certificate or diploma programs, and include general education courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They often have a clinical component requiring an internship with a local healthcare practice. Associate Degrees are commonly a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a four year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.
As stated previously, becoming certified is not a legal requirement, but is an excellent idea for those who wish to advance their careers. It will not only help in getting employment after graduation, but it may also help with preliminary salary negotiations. Some possible Odessa WA employers simply will not hire a medical assistant that has not received certification or accredited formal training. Among the most popular and possibly the most respected 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 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Additional certifications are available as well, for instance the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.
Online Medical Assistant Colleges
There are a number of accredited medical assistant programs accessible online also. They are an excellent alternative for students who may not have time to attend classes on campus but could work them in if accessible at home. This is an especially good option for students who continue to work full-time while pursuing their certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools have lower tuitions than the more traditional on campus options. Supplemental costs such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies can be minimized as well. But bear in mind that any requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can typically be carried out in area Washington healthcare facilities. If you can learn without the formal structure of participating in supervised classes on campus, then this mode of getting your training might be the best choice for you. With the online lessons and the clinical training, everything necessary to achieve proficiency to perform as a medical assistant in Odessa WA is provided.
Concerns to Ask Medical Assistant Programs
Prior to reviewing 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 near Odessa WA or online from home. After those selections have been made, you can start the process of researching programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many prospective students confine their searches to the colleges that are nearest to home with the most affordable tuitions. Although location and cost are significant qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are several additional issues that you need to explore when researching Washington programs. To help you with that task, following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are thinking about before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Medical Assistant Program Accredited? There are a number of great reasons to ensure that the school you enroll in is accredited. To start with, accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive will be both extensive 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 Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). If your program is not accredited by one of these agencies, you will not be qualified to take the CMA exam. Also, if you anticipate obtaining a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not available for non-accredited programs. And last, as mentioned previously, a number of prospective Odessa WA employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited program.
What is the Program’s Passing Percentage? The majority of accredited Odessa WA area medical assistant schools create their programs to prep students to pass one or more certification exams. First, you need to determine which of the certifications the programs you are considering are preparing their students to take. If you are planning on taking the CMA for example, then of course you will want to select a program focused on that certification. Next, learn what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. This is one of the methods to help evaluate the quality of a school’s program. Naturally schools with lower rates are those that you will want to eliminate.
Which Programs are Provided? As we previously covered, there are generally two paths to obtaining medical assistant training. You can choose a diploma or certificate program and obtain entry level training in the fastest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, although the average is about one year. Or you can choose to earn an Associate Degree and receive a more comprehensive education that will require about two years to finish in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you choose to pursue, make certain that the Odessa WA area colleges you are reviewing provide the kind of program you have an interest in.
Are Internships Provided? Numerous Washington medical assistant colleges offer internship programs with local medical providers. They are an excellent method to obtain hands-on clinical training and experience. They can also assist students build relationships within the Odessa WA healthcare community. And as an additional benefit, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing that initial job may be a daunting undertaking for medical assistant school graduates unless they receive a little assistance from a job placement program. Verify that the schools you are evaluating offer job placement assistance and find out what their placement rate is. If a program has a high job placement rate for its students, it indicates that it has an excellent reputation within the medical community. It also suggests that it has a broad network of contacts in the Odessa WA area to help place students in jobs.
How Big are the Classes? Class size can be an indication of how much personal instruction you will get throughout your training. Smaller classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more likely to furnish greater access to instructors and face to face interaction. If convenient, try to sit in on a few classes before selecting a college in the Odessa WA area to observe what the teaching atmosphere is like and how much attention the students get.
Is Class Scheduling Practical? If you plan on attending a medical assistant program while you continue working full time, it’s important that the program you select offers classes that fit your schedule. If you have to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends in Odessa WA, verify that those times are offered. You might be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online school, but you will also need to schedule any clinical training or internships that might be required. Also, find out what the policy is for making up classes that you may have to miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Enroll in the Best Medical Assistant Program in Odessa WA
It’s imperative to begin your new career on the right foot by picking a medical assistant school that will furnish the appropriate training. Regardless if you’re goal is to launch a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your life long career, you need to acquire the right information on available programs before making your selection. There are such a large number of schools providing training these days that you can make a decision based upon your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have addressed in this article, make sure that the program you choose is accredited by an acknowledged organization, for example the CAAHEP. This is especially critical if you intend on taking the CMA certification examination. But irrespective of the type of credential that you intend 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 so you can evaluate programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the right program you can ultimately begin a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Odessa WA.
Why Did You Want to Be a Medical Assistant?When getting ready to interview for a medical assistant position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask candidates is "What drove you to select medical assistance as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming a CMA, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to medical assisting, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an excellent medical assistant and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.
Some Cities in Washington That May Be Of Interest