medical assistant

Understanding the Value of Medical Assistant Externships

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What Is a Medical Assisting Externship?

The externship portion of MA training at Coyne College is an essential part of preparing you to enter the healthcare field upon completion of your training course. Externship opportunities are designed to help you get the experience and mentorship you need before you begin applying for jobs. It’s a type of job shadowing, but you will not just be watching, but assisting doctors, nurses and other health professionals as they provide patient care.

Externships can take place in a variety of medical settings. Depending on where your interests lie, you can tailor your hands-on experience to be something that is exciting and engaging to you personally. A few locations where you might be able to job shadow an experienced medical assistant include

  • hospitals
  • medical billing offices
  • urgent cares
  • clinics
  • physician practices

Requirement for Certification

The hands-on hours you get during an externship are a requirement to complete your medical assistant coursework and get certified in most MA programs in Chicago and around the country. As you learn about your duties from an experienced MA, you will also get to put the skills you learned in the classroom into practice. You will be evaluated by the professionals overseeing your work to make sure you are developing the skills you need to be a good medical assistant. These reports go back to your instructors who use them to determine if you have completed the requirements for the course. The externship is usually the very last part of the course you need to complete before taking the certification exam.

medical-assisting-training

Gain Real Life Experience

No matter how great classroom instruction is, nothing really prepares like real life experience. As you follow your mentor, you will start by observing what he does. Soon after, you will be given opportunities to try performing some of the tasks you have been observing and learning about. Whether performing assessments, giving medications, removing stitches, collecting specimens or educating patients, you will grow your knowledge and confidence as you practice. Medical assistant externships are a great way to gain experience so that you are ready to work on your own.

How do I Get an Externship in Medical Assisting?

Medical assisting is the frontline of healthcare. Since MAs are often the first person a patient sees when they come in to be seen, it is important that any medical assistant feels confident enough to keep the patient calm. An excellent way to increase your confidence as you train is to get lots of really good hands-on learning during your externship. Finding a good fit for your career aspirations is an important part of this process. Rather than taking whatever opportunity comes your way, there are things you can do to narrow down your options and make sure you will gain the experience and knowledge you need.

Know Your Interests and Schedule

If you are particularly interested in a certain field of medicine, you may choose to pursue that route for an externship. As you reach out to potential sites, make sure you have a clear understanding of what the requirements are for your program, including the number of hours needed and timeline you have for completion. This will help the clinic or hospital determine if they will be able to give you the experience you need. It is also helpful to plan your schedule ahead of time so that you know exactly what days and times you will be available to be on site for the externship.

Reach Out to Your Instructors and Peers

Given that your teachers and staff members are experienced in the medical assisting field, they likely have lots of great connections to help you find an externship that suits your interests. You can also choose to speak to former students who have completed externships to see what their thoughts are on their experiences. If you aren’t sure if the positions you are looking at would be a good fit, discussing them with others can help you gain some insight.

Gain Real Life Experience
Medical assistant externships are a great way to gain experience so that you are ready to work on your own.
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Know Your Interests and Schedule
If you are particularly interested in a certain field of medicine, you may choose to pursue that route for an externship.
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Reach Out
Reach Out to Your Coyne College Instructors and Peers
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What Will I Be Doing During my Externship?

Medical assistants play a vital role in the medical world. Depending on where you choose to complete your training, you may find yourself performing a variety of tasks including

  • Assessing patients by checking vital signs, reviewing patient history and performing preliminary observation of injuries or illnesses
  • Perform laboratory testing by collecting and processing blood and specimen samples, packing and sending samples to the lab and filling out necessary paperwork
  • Prepare patients for medical procedures such as EKG testing
  • Assist in clerical duties such as scheduling appointments, answering phones, collecting insurance information and preparing patient files
  • Administering medications orally and via injection as ordered by a physician
  • Assist patients with mobility and other activities of daily living
  • Educate patients about various health conditions, treatments and other recommendations from their physicians

Medical assisting is a fast-paced career that is vital to the healthcare industry today. It is essential to receive the right kind of training through classroom learning and hands on experience. As the first and last person patients see, a knowledgable and skilled medical assistant can make a big impact on how that they feel about their care. If becoming an MA sounds like an exciting career you would like to pursue, consider looking into programs in your area. As you prepare for a fulfilling career in the healthcare industry, you will learn the techniques, skills and knowledge it takes to be a true professional.

What to Expect from a Medical Assistant Certification Exam

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Medical Assistant Certification Exam

Certification can be a valuable credential for medical assistants. Not only is it an indicator of your skills and knowledge, it can also help you stand out among other candidates and appear more marketable to future employers. You may be required to earn certification depending on your employer.

There are a few different bodies that offer medical assistant certifications, such as the National Center for Competency Testing and American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). For the purposes of this blog, however, we’ll focus on the RMA exam issued by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

Passing the RMA won’t be easy. It will test your general knowledge, administrative knowledge and clinical knowledge of the medical assisting profession. Here are some helpful tidbits to know for when you’re preparing to earn your RMA certification from AMT.

Exam structure

AMT’s RMA exam consists of anywhere between 200 and 230 questions, all multiple choice. The questions on the exam are weighted depending on their difficulty. It is also in your best interest to eliminate options you know to be incorrect, as picking an answer that is the second-best will still help your score more than the worst answer.

For example, if the answer to a question is “femur” and you choose another leg bone, perhaps “tibia,” you are likely to be rewarded more than someone who answers “scapula.” The scoring system can be confusing, so you’ll want to read up on it prior to taking the exam. For this, AMT’s Candidate Handbook is a great resource.

 

Exam timing

The AMT’s RMA exam has a time limit of two hours. With at least 200 items on the exam, you’ll have to pace yourself to make sure you have enough time to answer them all. Taking practice exams is a good way to learn how to effectively budget your time over the course of the exam. Managing your time spent on questions will help you save more time for the harder ones while you breeze through those you know like the back of your hand.

Subject matter

AMT’s RMA exam is designed to test your general knowledge of medical assisting across many areas of the discipline. The exam covers four major subject areas: anatomy and physiology, administrative medical assisting, clinical medical assisting and clinical patient interaction.

The RMA exam is not divided into subjects, so you need to be prepared for a question from any of these categories at any time. You can find a more complete rundown of material that is on the exam in AMT’s RMA exam outline.

Study resources available

AMT offers an abundance of resources to help guide you in your studies for the RMA exam. These include a list of suggested readings and references, as well as online review courses that are available for a fee.. AMT’s website is full of other helpful study resources as well. These handy resources can help you make the most of your time spent preparing to ace the RMA exam and earn your RMA certification.

Practice exams

Speaking of resources, some of the most helpful ones available are online practice exams. These are also available through the AMT for a fee. Medical assistant practice tests give you a feel for what the real exam will be like and can help you figure out which subject areas you need to focus on most in your preparation. Depending on your medical assisting school, practice exams may be available for free or at a discounted rate.

Before you get ready to take the RMA, you need to learn the skills. There’s no better place in Chicagoland to do that than Coyne College.

MA Exam

Launch your medical assisting career at Coyne

Coyne College’s Medical Assistant program is your first step to becoming a medical assistant. Coyne’s medical assisting program will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge you need to succeed in a booming profession.

You’ll take courses in subjects like medical terminology, pharmacology and medical billing, taught by our experienced instructors. We’re so dedicated to your success that our curriculum includes a 6-week portion on electronic health records and a required externship.

You can complete our program in as soon as 54 weeks, meaning you can be ready for an entry-level role in a little over one year. We offer day options at our campus in the heart of the Chicago Loop.

Learn more about the medical assisting program at Coyne College in Chicago by calling us at 800-720-3990 or visiting coynecollege.edu today!

6 Things You Didn’t Know About Medical Assistants

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Medical Assistants - Coyne College

You may not know it, but you’ve likely had many interactions with medical assistants over the course of your life. Medical assistants work alongside doctors and nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. From doctors’ offices to immediate care clinics and hospitals, medical assistants play important roles in making sure healthcare facilities run smoothly. These are six things you didn’t know about medical assistants.

Medical Assisting Programs Chicago - Coyne College

Jack-of-all-trades

Medical assistants are among the most versatile healthcare workers. They are trained to perform both administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and maintaining patient records, and patient care-related duties, like taking blood pressure and helping doctors with patient exams. A medical assistant’s specific responsibilities depend on the size of the practice and the needs of the doctors and the facility. In some cases, medical assistants may be permitted to administer medication. In all cases, medical assistants help run the office.

Different medical assisting specialties

A medical assistant’s job will be different depending on the kind of practice in which they work. For example, a podiatric medical assistant is likely to take molds of feet, which may then be used to create custom orthotics. A medical assistant who works with an oncologist would likely perform tasks associated with treating cancer. In a more general sense, some medical assisting roles are more focused on the administrative side, while others primarily handle clinical tasks. Becoming a medical assistant presents you opportunities to work in different settings and discover what kind of medical assisting you like best.

 

Constantly changing

As with other jobs in the healthcare industry, the roles and responsibilities of medical assistants are always changing. For example, electronic health records (EHRs) are getting closer to becoming universal, meaning medical assistants will have to stay up-to-date on how to properly maintain patient data. There are likely other medical innovations in the pipeline that will also affect medical assisting in the near future. There are also changes that come with starting a new job, perhaps in a different specialization or a facility with different needs from the position. Adaptability is important as a medical assistant.

Fast-growing profession

The healthcare industry is booming, and is anticipated to continue growing in the near future. Medical assisting is among the fastest-growing professions in the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the number of medical assistant jobs will increase 29 percent through 2026, compared to 2016’s total. This is due in part to the increased need for healthcare services, preventative and otherwise, among baby boomers. This need has resulted in more healthcare facilities that treat the ailments associated with aging.

 

There’s a professional association

The American Association of Medical Assistants provides resources to individuals in the medical assisting profession. Such resources include networking, legal protection and more. They also administer a certification exam (RMA) that can help you be more marketable in the eyes of employers. There are other bodies that offer different certification credentials, and many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants.

 

Other educational opportunities

Working as a medical assistant can provide a sturdy foundation for your career in the healthcare industry. Much of what you learn in a medical assistant training program or working in a practice can help you should you choose to go back to school to pursue a degree for a higher position in healthcare, such as a nurse practitioner. Working in the field as a medical assistant can also help you establish connections that can help you find employment further down the road.

Are you looking to break into the healthcare industry with a well-rounded set of practical skills? Studying to become a medical assistant could be the right path for you. There’s no better place to study medical assisting in Chicagoland than Coyne College.

MA Programs Chicago

Launch your career in healthcare at Coyne College

Coyne College’s Medical Assistant program thoroughly prepares you to enter the healthcare field as a medical assistant. You will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed as a medical assistant. Some of the topics covered in the program’s curriculum include:

  •      Medical Terminology
  •      Pharmacology
  •      Anatomy and Pathophysiology
  •      Basic Insurance and Billing
  •      And more!

Coyne’s highly knowledgeable instructors have years of meaningful experience in the workforce. Coyne College’s program also features a six-week portion dedicated to EHRs.

All medical assisting students are required to complete an externship following the completion of all of the necessary coursework. Following the completion of the program and your externship, you will be ready to enter the workforce as a medical assistant in any number of healthcare settings.

The program can be completed in as little as 54 weeks, allowing you to be ready for meaningful work as entry-level role medical assistant in just over one year. Day options are offered at the Coyne College campus in the heart of the Chicago Loop at the intersection of State and Madison Streets.

Coyne’s students receive a well-rounded medical assistant education that provides them with a toolbox for success in the healthcare industry.

To learn more about Coyne College’s Medical Assistant program, call us at 800-720-3990, or fill out the online form, and an admission representative will contact you.

Coyne College’s Medical Assistant Program: Classroom Training with Hands-on Skills

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Medical Assistant Program

Medical assistants are the unsung heroes of the healthcare industry. Without them, doctors and nurses could not provide the quality of care to the number of people they see on a daily basis. Medical assistants handle important tasks like updating patients’ medical charts, taking vitals and even answering phones and scheduling appointments. They are the utility knives of medical facilities that rely on them to keep things running smoothly.

Are you eager to start your career as a multifaceted healthcare professional in a booming industry? Coyne College’s Medical Assistant program can help you get there. At Coyne College in Chicago, our program combines the essential knowledge found in textbooks with the practical hands-on experience in skills you’ll use from day one. Our experienced instructors are committed to helping you master the information and skills necessary for you to be a competent medical assistant.

Medical Assistant Program With Hands on Skills

In our program, we cover a wide variety of subjects relevant to the medical assisting profession. Such courses include:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Pharmacology
  • Anatomy and Pathophysiology
  • Basic Insurance and Billing
  • Medical Office Procedures
  • Law and Ethics
  • And more!

To best prepare you for the world of electronic health records (EHRs), we even dedicate six weeks of the program to learning EHRs.

As a student in Coyne College’s Medical Assistant program, you will complete an externship that will allow you to use the skills you’ve learned to work in a real-world medical assisting environment. The best way to get good at something is to do it, which is why the externship is such a crucial part of our curriculum.

Did we mention medical assistants are among the most in-demand professionals in the workforce today? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 29 percent increase in medical assistant jobs through 2026. Coyne College’s Medical Assistant program and Career Services staff can help you take full advantage of the numerous opportunities available in this in-demand field.

Medical Assistant Program at Coyne College Chicago

With day scheduling options available, you can earn a diploma in as little as 54 weeks and capitalize on the bounty of jobs sooner.

At Coyne College, we have over 120 years of experience preparing students for meaningful careers with a combination of classroom and hands-on learning. Come see for yourself everything Coyne College’s Medical Assistant program has to offer. Call us at 800-720-3990, or visit our homepage at www.coynecollege.edu. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to Become a Successful Medical Assistant

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Medical Assistant Programs Chicago

Medical assistants help doctors’ offices, immediate care facilities and other medical facilities function the way they should. They perform duties such as scheduling appointments, taking vital signs and maintaining patient records. Medical assistants are capable of handling clinical and administrative tasks physicians and nurses need them to; they are the Swiss Army knives of the healthcare industry. You may be wondering how you become a medical assistant. What kind of training and attributes do you need to be successful in the occupation? Luckily, if you read on you’ll find out how to become a successful medical assistant.

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The Future of Medical Assisting

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Medical Assisting (MA) School

Medical-Assisting
The healthcare industry employs more people than any other industry in America. This is not expected to change any time soon, which is good for people seeking careers in healthcare-related fields. It’s not just nurses or specialist doctors who attended years of medical school; it’s a number of talented support staff whose jobs make providing health care to millions of people possible. One kind of support position is called a medical assistant.

Medical assistants are projected to see one of the largest jumps in employment among all jobs in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates a 29 percent increase in medical assistant positions through 2026 relative to 2016’s total. There are many reasons for this expected spike, particularly the percentage of the population that is reaching retirement age. The generation referred to as the Baby Boomers will require more medical care as they continue to age. More people needing care means more healthcare employees will be needed. Another reason for the uptick in demand is that more people currently have access to health insurance than in the past. Once again, more patients requires more staff members to help treat them.

For those who may not know, medical assistants work in a variety of different medical settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices and immediate care centers. Essentially, anywhere you receive medical care there are likely medical assistants helping doctors and nurses run the facility.

Medical Assistant Program ChicagoMedical assistants commonly perform tasks such as taking patients’ vitals, recording patient information, helping doctors with patient exams and scheduling appointments. The duties of medical assistants vary depending on the doctors and nurses under whom they work. Different medical offices have different needs. Some offices may need someone to handle mostly clerical tasks, whereas others may need a medical assistant to be more involved in helping with patient care. The beauty of being a medical assistant is that you will be prepared to handle the needs of any medical office.

To break into the medical assisting occupation, most employers require the completion of a training program. Such programs are commonly offered at local trade schools and community colleges. Most programs can be completed in less than two years and teach you the skills you need to be successful in medical assisting roles. Some employers may require you to achieve certification by passing the Registered Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, administered at Coyne College. Earning the certification credential is a good idea even if prospective employers do not require it, as it can potentially make you more valuable and stand out from other candidates.

Additionally, experience as a medical assistant can serve as a stepping stone for the advancement of your education in another healthcare profession down the line.

In conclusion, now is a great time to pursue a career in medical assisting, and job prospects are expected to remain bright for years to come. There are sure to be changed in the technology used in the coming years and the challenges that come with them. Medical assisting programs will have to make changes to their course materials accordingly.

If you want to begin your medical assisting career with a proven top-notch program, look no further than Coyne College’s medical assistant program.

Start Your Journey at Coyne College

Medical Assisting School chicagoCoyne College is one of Chicago’s premier trade schools, proudly offering its medical assistant program to future healthcare professionals. To best accommodate working adults, Coyne offers day and night options for the medical assisting program. Coyne College’s medical assisting program is offered at the Coyne College campus, located in the heart of the Chicago Loop at the intersection of State and Madison streets.

Coyne College’s medical assistant program thoroughly prepares you to enter the healthcare field as a medical assistant. The program can be completed in as soon as 54 weeks, allowing you to be ready for an entry-level role in a little over one year.

As a medical assisting student at Coyne College, you will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed as a medical assistant. Some of the topics covered in the program’s curriculum include:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Pharmacology
  • Anatomy and Pathophysiology
  • Basic Insurance and Billing
  • And more!

You will learn the ins and outs of medical assisting in an environment surrounded by instructors dedicated to helping you succeed. Coyne’s highly knowledgeable instructors have years of meaningful experience in the workforce. Coyne College’s program also features a six-week portion dedicated to electronic health records.

All medical assisting students are required to complete an externship following the completion of all of the necessary coursework. Following the completion of the program and your externship, you will be ready to enter the workforce as a medical assistant in any number of healthcare settings.

With more than 110 years of experience in helping aspiring skilled trade professionals realize their dreams, Coyne College has a well-developed network of resources to help students gain employment after they finish their studies.

Coyne College offers students career assistance, including mock interviews, externships and resume help. These resources can help students secure externships after completing the program.

Coyne’s students receive a well-rounded medical assistant education that provides them with a toolbox for success in the healthcare industry.
Start your journey to bettering the lives of patients today by visiting https://www.coynecollege.edu/.

Medical Assistant: Things to know about most underappreciated Career choice

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medical assistant underappreciated career choice

In the bustling world of American healthcare, one of the most underappreciated, yet vital roles, is that of a medical assistant. Medical assistants are, in many ways, the adhesive that holds medical offices and facilities together. They are crucial members of a doctor’s staff who help with a varying mix of both administrative and clinical tasks – they are jacks of many trades. Some of the tasks they typically perform include checking blood pressure, escorting patients through the facility, sanitizing equipment and scheduling patients’ appointments.

Because of the vital role they play, along with the increased need for healthcare, medical assisting is one of the most rapidly growing fields currently and is anticipated to remain so into the coming years. Per data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is projected to climb 29 percent through 2026.

To enter the field, most employers require medical assistants to have a certificate from a community college or vocational school, which can usually be achieved in less than two years. Some employers may require national CMA certification, depending on the state. Certification can make a medical assistant more desirable in the eyes of employers.

Needless to say, doctors and other healthcare professionals could not keep their offices, clinics and other facilities open without the toil of their skilled medical assistants. In playing such a versatile role, medical assistants use a vast array of equipment.

Physician’s Office

Within the setting of a physician’s office, medical assistants are the staff members with whom patients interact first. They are the ones who announce patients’ names to the waiting room, signaling that the patient is ready to be seen. Typically, they will also conduct some basic practices and readings, some of which utilize some of the equipment mentioned below:

Blood Pressure Meter – Taking vitals, such as blood pressure, is one of the primary duties of medical assistants. Blood pressure meters consist of a cuff that is placed around the patient’s arm and inflated with air to get a reading of their blood pressure. The kind of meter used depends on the office or facility. It is advantageous for medical assistants to know how to take blood pressure manually, as not all facilities have machines.

Stethoscope – Stethoscopes can be used in conjunction with the manual blood pressure cuff to get a reading of a patient’s blood pressure. They are also used to listen to a patient’s heart and lungs in an effort to determine if there are any problems with those organs.

Autoclave – Medical assistants are typically tasked with the cleaning of medical tools. To achieve this end, they often employ a machine called an autoclave. An autoclave uses high temperatures of steam to sterilize equipment prior to use on future patients.

Computer and Computer Programs – As with many other modern office jobs, computers are essential tools in medical office settings. Medical assistants use computers for tasks such as maintaining patient health records and scheduling appointments.

Telephone – Medical assistants, depending on the physician’s office in which they are employed, may be asked to answer phones and schedule patient appointments. This requires customer service skills and patience, in addition to being comfortable talking on the phone.

Medical Office

In medical offices where medical assistants play a larger role in the patient care side of things, they are often eligible to perform a greater variety of tasks using a wider range of tools. Of course, there is great variability depending on the office in which the medical assistant works.

Vaccines and Syringes – In certain settings, medical assistants may be eligible to administer vaccines, such as ones of the flu variety, to patients. Administration of vaccines, in most cases, requires the use of syringes.

Glucometers – Glucometers are used to measure the blood sugar levels of a patient. Usually, after pricking the patient’s finger and squeezing it to accumulate a sizable blood droplet, the droplet is collected with a strip that is inserted into the meter, which, after a few seconds, displays a reading. Finger pricks are also used to take blood samples for other kinds of tests.

Thermometer – A patient’s temperature is one of the vitals taken in the initial interaction with the medical assistant. Temporal scanning thermometers, which are less intrusive than other methods of taking one’s temperature are becoming increasingly common,

Gloves and Masks – Depending on the procedure with which they are assisting, medical assistants may be required to wear gloves, a mask covering their mouths and possibly a hairnet.

These are simply a few different examples of the kinds of equipment medical assistants come into contact with during their day-to-day practices. To reiterate, the kinds of duties and tools medical assistants are able to perform and use depends heavily on the doctor under whom they are working. If working in a multifaceted role in the booming healthcare industry is of interest to you, studying to become a medical assistant might be the perfect career choice for you.

Achieve Your Dreams with a Coyne Education

Coyne College is one of Chicago’s premier skilled trade education institutions and is proud to offer its medical assistant program to future healthcare professionals.

Coyne College’s medical assistant program thoroughly prepares you to enter the healthcare field as a medical assistant. The program can be completed in as little as 54 weeks. As a medical assisting student at Coyne College, you will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed as a medical assistant. Some of the topics covered in the program’s curriculum are:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Pharmacology
  • Anatomy and Pathophysiology
  • Basic Insurance and Billing
  • And more!

Coyne College’s medical assistant program also helps give its students a leg up on the competition by featuring a six-week portion dedicated to electronic health records.

During your time in Coyne’s program, you will learn the ins and outs of medical assisting in an environment where you are surrounded by instructors dedicated to helping you succeed. Coyne’s instructors are highly knowledgeable and have years of meaningful experience in the workforce.

Coyne College offers day classes for the Medical Assistant program. The program is offered at the Coyne College campus, located in the heart of the Chicago Loop at the intersection of State and Madison streets.

Following your studies, you will be required to complete an externship. After you complete the medical assistant certificate program, you will be ready to enter the workforce as a medical assistant in any number of healthcare settings.

Coyne College is dedicated to helping its students find gainful employment following the completion of their respective programs. To that end, Coyne offers a wealth of career services and job placement help for its students, including networking and resume advice.

Coyne College also offers its students career assistance, including mock interviews, externships and resume help. These resources can help students secure apprenticeships after completing the program. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

What are you waiting for? Dive into all that Coyne has to offer by visiting https://www.coynecollege.edu/.

Seven Questions to Ask When Choosing a Medical Assistant Program

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Medical Assistant Questions

Finding the right medical assistant program can be an overwhelming task to take on. There’s a lot riding on the decision you eventually make, one that will mark the beginning of your pursuit of a new career. It’s an investment of both time and money, but most importantly, it’s an investment in yourself and your future. It’s a choice you should think through thoroughly before making. With that being said, how do you evaluate whether or not a program is the right fit for you? You need to ask questions, lots of questions. Here are a few Medical Assistant questions to ask while choosing program:

  1. Are the school and program accredited?

Whether or not a school is accredited or affiliated with the governing bodies of an industry is a pretty good indicator of the quality of instruction the school provides, not to mention the validity of your completion of that school’s program as it pertains to your career. Accreditation can be highly important when it comes to earning certifications or licensures, depending on the occupation. For medical assisting, you should make sure the school you choose meets the accreditation guidelines of the American Association of Medical Assistants, as that will be a key part of your certification eligibility.

  1. What kind of financial aid is available?

Deciding to continue your education is a substantial financial commitment, one that very few people make without the help of financial aid. Find out if the school you are considering offers scholarships. Even if it does not, many schools offer loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized), work study programs and grants from the federal government. Schools also tend to have staff members strictly dedicated to assisting you with how you’re going to pay for your education. For many people, financial affordability is a crucial factor in deciding where to study, so be sure to ask about financial aid possibilities, especially if you go on a campus visit.

  1. Does the school have a career services office?

Career services, which typically include mock interviews, helps with resumes and job search assistance are some of the most valuable resources postsecondary educational institutions have to offer. Some schools are better than others about utilizing their connections to alumni working in the field to help newly minted graduates make their way. Asking about the presence of a career services office on a school’s campus and the services it offers will give you a better idea of what kinds of resources will be available to you as a student.

  1. How experienced are the instructors?

The people who teach the classes at a given institution can make or break your educational experience. Obviously, some instructors are going to be more skilled and knowledgeable than others, but that’s how it is at any school. Inquire about the requirements the school has when hiring instructors to join the ranks of their faculty. Some may argue that continuing education is a situation in which you get out of it what you put into it, but having instructors who foster your curiosity and personal growth can be invaluable to your career and your life as a whole.

  1. Will the program prepare you for the CMA exam, and how?

As mentioned in response to the first question, completing a medical assisting program at an accredited school is a large factor in determining your eligibility for the CMA exam. If you have chosen one of the accredited schools, your education should cover most of what is needed to pass the exam and achieve certification. Even if prepping for the exam is not explicitly a sizable portion of the program, many schools have tutors and other academic resources available to help you prepare for and ace the CMA exam.

  1. Does the curriculum include hands-on training?

Studying the theory of a skilled trade like medical assisting is all well and good, but you also need hands-on practice to be adequately prepared for a real-life MA job. Understanding this, most programs offer a mix of textbook instruction and practical hands-on learning. If there’s a specific skill that you’re looking to be taught over the course of your medical assistant training, make sure to ask about it. To be safe, you should ask about the curriculum as a whole, especially if you can’t find specifics on the school’s website.

  1. What resources are available if you should need help?

College can be hard sometimes for a number of different reasons. The way an instructor teaches might not connect with how you learn. It might take you a little longer than your classmates for certain information to click. Inevitably, life, and all of the unexpected events that come with it, still happens when you’re in school. Regardless of the situation, it’s comforting to know that you can get help from whichever school you decide to attend. Schools may offer tutoring and other resources to help keep you on track. There’s no shame in getting help if you need it.

Now that you have a better idea of what kind of questions to ask before deciding on a medical assisting program, you’re ready to put these questions into action and find your perfect fit.

Achieve Your Dreams with a Coyne Education

Coyne College is one of Chicago’s top skilled trade education institutions and is proud to offer its medical assistant program to future healthcare professionals.

Coyne College offers day classes for the Medical Assistant program. The program is offered at the Coyne College campus, located in the heart of the Chicago Loop at the intersection of State and Madison streets.

Coyne College’s medical assistant program thoroughly prepares you to enter the healthcare field as a medical assistant. The program can be completed in as little as 54 weeks. As a medical assisting student at Coyne College, you will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed as a medical assistant. Some of the topics covered in the program’s curriculum are:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Pharmacology
  • Anatomy and Pathophysiology
  • Basic Insurance and Billing
  • And more!

Coyne College’s medical assistant program also helps give its students a leg up on the competition by featuring a six-week portion dedicated to electronic health records.

You will learn the ins and outs of medical assisting in an environment where you are surrounded by instructors dedicated to helping you succeed. Coyne’s instructors are highly knowledgeable and have years of meaningful experience in the workforce.

Following your studies, you will be required to complete an externship. After you complete the medical assistant certificate program, you will be ready to enter the workforce as a medical assistant in any number of healthcare settings.

Coyne College is dedicated to helping its students find gainful employment following the completion of their respective programs. To that end, Coyne offers a wealth of career services and job placement help for its students, including networking and resume advice.

Coyne College also offers its students career assistance, including mock interviews, externships and resume help. These resources can help students secure apprenticeships after completing the program. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

What are you waiting for? Dive into all that Coyne has to offer by visiting https://www.coynecollege.edu/.

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