Pursuing a career as a medical assistant while still in college can be a strategic move for students looking to gain clinical experience, explore healthcare careers, or secure a stable job while completing their degree. Whether you’re a pre-med student aiming to enhance your resume or someone considering a shift into the medical field, becoming a medical assistant offers a valuable stepping stone into healthcare. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step approach specifically designed for college students.
Understanding the Requirements
Before jumping into training, it’s crucial to understand the key requirements to become a medical assistant. The healthcare industry demands a certain level of education, certification, and hands-on experience to ensure professionals are well-prepared for the job. Here are the three primary requirements:
1. Proper Training
Medical assistants handle various clinical and administrative tasks in healthcare settings. To ensure competency, employers expect candidates to have formal training in medical procedures, patient care, and administrative responsibilities. Enrolling in a recognized training program is the first step to entering this field.
2. Certification
Most employers prefer or require certification from a recognized national body, such as the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Obtaining certification as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) proves your skills and knowledge, making you a more competitive job candidate. A recent survey found that 80% of employers require certification for medical assistants.
3. Hands-On Clinical Experience
Although not always mandatory, clinical experience can significantly improve job prospects. Many medical assistant training programs include externships or partnerships with healthcare facilities, allowing students to gain practical experience before applying for full-time positions.
Finding the Right Training While in College
As a college student, balancing coursework with medical assistant training can be challenging. It’s essential to choose a program that offers flexibility, affordability, and proper accreditation. Let’s explore the options.
Traditional On-Campus Programs
Many community colleges and vocational schools offer medical assistant programs, but they may not be the best fit for college students due to:
- High Tuition Costs: Programs can cost up to $15,000, adding financial strain on top of existing college expenses.
- Rigid Schedules: Fixed class times may conflict with college courses.
- Lengthy Completion Time: Some programs take up to two years, making it difficult to manage alongside a degree program.
Online Medical Assistant Programs
Online medical assistant programs offer a more flexible alternative, allowing students to study at their own pace while continuing their college education. However, it’s important to be cautious and choose a reputable program. Some key concerns with online programs include:
- Lack of University Certification: Many online programs don’t provide certificates from accredited universities.
- Accreditation Issues: Some programs are not recognized by employers, rendering the certification ineffective.
- Insufficient Exam Preparation: Some programs fail to prepare students for the CCMA certification exam.
- Limited Hands-On Experience: Few online programs offer externship opportunities, which are essential for gaining practical skills.
The Ideal Checklist for College Students
To ensure you choose the right program, consider the following checklist:
- True Flexibility: The program should be 100% online and self-paced, allowing you to study around your college schedule.
- Credibility: Look for programs affiliated with accredited institutions that provide university-issued certificates.
- Certification Preparation: Ensure the program fully prepares you for the CCMA certification exam.
- Hands-On Clinical Experience: The program should offer externship opportunities or job placement assistance.
- Efficiency: Opt for training that can be completed in 3-4 months instead of years.
- Affordability: The program should be budget-friendly, ideally under $2,000, to avoid additional financial burden.
Exploring the Preppy Approach
One option that checks all the boxes is Preppy‘s online medical assistant training program designed for college students. It provides:
- 100% Online, Self-Paced Learning: Study whenever and wherever you want, making it perfect for college life.
- Accredited University Certificate: Preppy partners with a nonprofit accredited university, ensuring your certification holds value in the healthcare industry.
- Fast Completion Time: The program can be completed in as little as four months.
- CCMA Exam Preparation: The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the national certification exam.
- Externship Opportunities: Gain hands-on clinical experience through healthcare partnerships across the U.S.
- Job Assistance Services: Get support in connecting with healthcare employers after completing the program.
- Affordable Tuition: Compared to traditional programs, Preppy is significantly more cost-effective.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a medical assistant while in college is an excellent way to gain clinical experience, explore healthcare careers, and secure job opportunities before graduating. By choosing a flexible and accredited training program like Preppy, you can efficiently complete your certification without disrupting your college education. If you’re serious about a future in healthcare, now is the perfect time to start working towards your goal.
Also read: Medical Coding School – What to Know Before Enrolling
About:
Preppy was founded by higher education expert, Grant Aldrich, who’s work on college affordability and accessibility has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader’s Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.
Time is money. Instead of programs that could take 2 years, Preppy provides you education in a few months through immersive online training.
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