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Medical Assistant--FAQs
Where do medical assistants work?
Medical assistants may be employed in physicians' offices, hospitals,
outpatient clinics, occupational health centers, long-term care facilities, and
offices of other practitioners such as chiropractors.
How long can I take to complete the
program?
Of course, the faculty is committed to students' successful completion
of the program and would like students to progress to completion as efficiently
as possible. Because several of these courses develop clinical skills, the
courses must be completed in a finite time frame. Therefore, students must
complete the following courses within a 12-month timeframe or less: MOA-115,
MOA-144, MOA-147, MOA-155, and MOA-156. The medical assistant externship (MOA 155) must be completed within one semester of completing MOA 147.
MOA 155 must be completed within one year of completing MOA-115 and MOA-144.
What may be my salary?
In 2011 the mean annual salary for medical assistants in Illinois was
$31,440 - Resource: Bureau of Labor Statistic, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2011 Edition, Medical Assistants. Of course,
salary is commensurate with skills and experience.
How does my future look in the job
market?
Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking
medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2010-20
decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with
formal training or experience, and certification.
Employment change. Employment of medical
assistants is expected to grow 31 percent by 2020, much faster than
the average for all occupations. As the healthcare industry expands because of
technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population,
there will be an increased need for all healthcare workers. The increasing
prevalence of certain conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, also will
increase demand for healthcare services and medical assistants. Increasing use
of medical assistants to allow doctors to care for more patients will further
stimulate job growth.
Helping to drive job growth is the increasing
number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities that need a
high proportion of support personnel, particularly medical assistants who can
handle both administrative and clinical duties. In addition, medical assistants
work mostly in primary care, a consistently growing sector of the healthcare
industry.
Job prospects. Jobseekers who want to work as
a medical assistant should find excellent job prospects. Medical assistants are
projected to account for a very large number of new jobs, and many other
opportunities will come from the need to replace workers leaving the occupation.
Medical assistants with formal training or experience-particularly those with
certification-should have the best job opportunities, since employers generally
prefer to hire these workers. (Retrieved 01/01/11
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm)
How will I practice my skills as a
student?
Courses taught on campus will provide hands-on experience in the
classroom and lab. In addition, students will complete 160 hours of an unpaid
clinical externship at an affiliated ambulatory health care center. Clinical
personnel will supervise student learning. Students will be apprised of the
available clinical assignments and efforts will be made to accommodate requests.
However, the ultimate decision for clinical assignments rests with the Program
coordinators.
Can I work full time while attending
classes?
If you are planning on a full-time course schedule it would be very
difficult to work full time. However, you can take classes on a part-time basis.
Students in the Medical Assistant
Program are required to achieve a minimum grade of "C" in all prerequisite and
required courses in order to progress within the Medical assistant Program. The
number of hours spent in the classroom and amount of study time required outside
class time is considerable to review and practice concepts. Students should plan
to spend approximately 2 hours at home studying, reviewing and preparing
assignments for every hour spent in class.
Do I need a physical exam?
Yes, you will need a completed health history and physical examination
form signed by a licensed physician. In addition you will need proof of required
immunizations. Student History and Physical Forms will be distributed the
semester before you begin your externship. Also, proof of health insurance will
be required at this time.
Do I need a drug screen?
Yes, in order to comply with clinical affiliation requirements, students will be
asked to submit a sample for drug screening prior to the start of externship.
Positive drug screen results will prohibit a student from being placed in a
clinical site.
Do I need a Criminal Background Check?
In order to comply with certain state statutes and/or clinical
affiliation agreements, students will be asked to complete a criminal background
check. Application forms for criminal background checks may be obtained through
the Career Programs Subdivision Office (B150). For information on criminal
background application procedures, please contact the Career Programs
Subdivision Office at (708) 974-5708.
Do I need a CPR card?
A valid CPR Healthcare Provider card will be required prior to your
externship assignment. Your instructor will provide you with a number of
resources where you may obtain CPR training for healthcare providers, including
resources available through Moraine Valley's Workforce Development Department.
The Moraine Valley course number is
AH8-039.
Students are financially responsible for the CPR training required. For more
information on CPR for healthcare providers, contact
Aurora Zwick,
Workforce Development, at (708) 974-5735.
Do I need to pass a certification exam
before I can be employed?
Graduates may be employed without having formal credentials. However,
the trend is toward certification and students are strongly urged to challenge a
certification exam following graduation.
How do I become certified as a medical
assistant?
Currently, graduates of the program are eligible to take the Certified
Medical Assistant certification examination through the American Association of
Medical assistants. Information about this organization can be obtained from
their Web site www.aama-ntl.org.
In addition, the registered Medical assistant
certification exam can also be challenged through the American Medical
Technologists. Information about this organization can be obtained at www.amt1.com.
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