Training

February 13, 2022

Medical Assistant Final Exam

Preparing For Your Finals Medical assistant final exams are given at the end of a formal vocational training program to allow the student to graduate. National professional certification bodies then offer certification exams to provide these successful graduates with industry-recognized professional credentials. To be better prepared for your medical assisting finals you should use every resource your instructors provided: your textbooks,hand-outs, and lecture notes taken in class can be your MOST important and effective study tools. There also are different medical assistant certification exam textbooks you can buy in book stores and online from Amazon.com, or sometimes on eBay. It doesn’t matter if they are used. Studying For Your Certification Many medical assistants are also planning on sitting for a certification exam after graduation. While the final exam covers everything that was taught in class, the certification exam covers a broad range of medical assisting areas of knowledge to assure proficiency and competency in all areas of general medical assisting, clinical and administrative. The exam typically is timed and consists of multiple-choice questions taken either in writing paper or electronically through Prometric testing services, which takes place in computer-lab typesetting and results will be instantly logged. There are study and review websites, flashcards online, textbooks, and booklets with medical assistant certification practice questions for certification applicants. You can contact your chosen certification provider and ask if they can mail you a practice exam or if one is available for download on their website. A medical assistant from Florida tells us in our Medical Assistant forum: I was surprised that about 85-90% […]
February 13, 2022

Preparing for the Medical Assistant Externship

First off, remember that the externship has to do with YOU! Medical assistant school graduates need skills that allow them to function in a real workplace dealing with real people, therefore, most medical assisting training programs provide their student body an externship of at least 160 hours before taking their final exams. The medical assistant’s externship marks the point of transition from being a student to becoming a qualified medical assistant. Purpose of the Externship The externship is a unique learning opportunity similar to an internship to provide students a short period of practical experience in the field. The medical assistant student works a regular work schedule without pay in an actual medical facility with an emphasis on on-the-job training to solidify skills previously learned in class. Performance and attendance are carefully tracked by the medical office manager and reported back to the student’s school. Attendance and punctuality are indicators of reliability and professionalism. The medical assisting externship usually consists of:    (a) A minimum of 160 contact hours   (b) Placement in an ambulatory health care setting   (c) Supervised instruction by health care professionals   (d) Performance monitored by the school Your Externship Experience Some students may experience some degree of nervousness and anxiety before the externship begins. Anxiety is a basic human emotion consisting of fear stemming from the uncertainty that typically appears when an individual perceives an event as a threat to self-esteem (Sarason, 1988). It creates the feelings of fear, apprehension or worries; however, a certain degree of anxiety is a common emotion medical assistant students often share and has nothing […]
February 13, 2022

Classroom Instruction

Formal vocational education and training are NOT always required to become a qualified medical assistant. Medical assistant training is either provided through a vocational training program, or directly on the job under the supervision of a medical doctor, but many opt to go back to school and earn their certificates, diplomas, and degrees via classroom instruction. Medical assistant training can take place in one of the following types of settings: In a secondary, postsecondary, or adult education program offered at Community Colleges and private post-secondary Vocational Training Institutions across the country. If the institution is properly accredited and approved graduates may sit for the national certification exams. Under a licensed medical doctor on the job, or in some instances under a registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, or physician assistant (PA). The supervising licensed health care professional is directly responsible for determining the content of the training and the proficiency of the medical assistant in training, however, lacking formal documented training medical assistants trained on the job may not always qualify to sit for nationally recognized medical assistant certification exams. Online, via self-study and distance education.  If the course is accredited and approved by the Department of Education or CAAHEP graduates may sit for the national certification exams. The physician, or licensed health care practitioner in charge must then determine the skill level and capabilities of the medical assistant trained online. From Novice To Expert Where does the road begin? Many medical assistant students enrolled in programs falsely believe that the road to success doesn’t start until they get to their first […]
February 13, 2022

Training Programs

People can become medical assistants in two ways, either through direct on-the-job training or through formal post-secondary vocational training from a trade school or college. Completing a typical classroom-based training program that ends with a medical assistant diploma teaches the clinical medical assistant aspects and the administrative aspects, which may take about 9-11 months from start to finish. Those interested usually need to have a high school diploma/GED to qualify for a school-based vocational training program. When contacting a vocational training institution you should already have an idea about:      1. What are your short and long-term career goals?     2. What are the educational requirements to succeed?     3. What are employers’ expectations and how much do they pay?     4. What are the present job market predictions and future outlooks? Find out how long the program will take, whether it qualifies you for recognized certifications, and what kind of documentation you will receive upon graduation. Ask whether the program is completely campus-based, a combination of classroom instruction and online learning, or entirely web-based. If it IS a distance education program, ask whether the certificate or diploma you earn will have the words “online program” printed on it.  Ask whether the program requires an externship in a medical office and who will be responsible for locating and securing a suitable externship site; also, whether you will qualify to sit for a medical assistant certification exam. Find out how long the program has been in existence, how many people have graduated successfully, and what their job placement rate is.  If it is an online course, ask whether their certificate […]