Medical Assistant Schools in Vermont
Training to become a medical assistant can be done on the job, or by voluntarily undergoing training and certification first. Becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA), while not legally required, is now preferred and often required by healthcare employers and would better qualify you for your future job. Certification can be obtained in as little as one to two years, and requires both courses and a final examination.
Medical Assistant Training Programs in Vermont
You can choose a training program that requires a year of study, or opt for a more thorough associate degree, which takes two years. Training will cover both the clinical and the clerical side of medical assisting, because medical assistants’ job duties can vary depending on their job and place of employment. You will be trained in medical billing, record keeping, patient and insurance communication, medical terminology and basic pharmacology. You’ll also learn how to assess patients, draw blood, take blood pressure, prepare patients for procedures, and assist physicians, among other duties. It’s an occupation that involves many skills and multi-tasking in both the administrative and clinical side. Medical assistants can work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, doctors’ offices, or specialists’ offices, such as podiatrists, chiropractors, or optometrists.
Any training is beneficial, but a diploma from an accredited program is a must for certification. There are not many accredited training programs in your state, but distance learning accompanied by an internship is a viable option if you are opting for certification. Accreditation of programs is determined by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). You can check CAAHEP’s website for an up-to-date list of accredited programs state-wide.
Once you have completed your training, if you have chosen an accredited program, you can opt for taking the certification exam. This is given by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). It consists of two hundred multiple choice questions and is computer based. Completion or near completion of your training from an accredited program is required before registering. If you pass this, you will be a certified medical assistant (CMA).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 650 medical assistants working in Vermont in 2008. This is growing rapidly though, and according to Vermont Department of Labor, it is the tenth fastest growing occupation in Vermont and has been projected to grow at a rate of 32% between 2006 and 2016. The mean annual salary in 2008 was $31,190, and the mean hourly rate was $15.00. You can earn even more by gaining more training and pursuing a specialization. The healthcare industry is booming as the state struggles to meet the needs of its growing aging population. Medical support staff in particular will continue to be in demand for many years because it is cost-effective and has grown with advances in technology. This translates to great job security for you, so get started on your training now for a secure job as a trained medical assistant.
Medical billing and coding programs in Vermont are gaining popularity due to the career growth and earning potential for professionals in this field.
(Sources: AAMA, Salary.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CAAHEP)
