Where Awareness Pays Off

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	Where Awareness Pays Off

	Move Your Career In The Right Direction!
	Do You Want Your Career To Stand Out or Stand Still? Sadly, many medical assistants have told us that not having sought certification sooner was a mistake they came to regret. Until they took charge their career went nowhere... but precious time was lost. We don't want this to happen to you! Take the first step in the right direction today. Receive this FREE Career Information Kit IT'S IMPORTANT - And 100% FREE!

Medical Assistant Education Caution

This Article is About Informed Decisions and Wise Choices

Many might not know this: marketing worthless certificates, fake diplomas, and bogus degrees is a billion dollar industry—so big indeed, that the U.S. government and state offices are warning consumers to use caution. Their goal is to provide consumers the tools and knowledge to make wise decisions when it comes to their education.

Knowing the accreditation status of an institution, or program and whether or not the organization doing the accreditation is recognized is valuable to students, families, and the public seeking quality higher education institutions and programs. Attending an institution or program accredited by a recognized organization is vital to students when seeking financial support for college, pursuing transfer of credit, or planning to sit for licensure examinations in a range of professions.

READ: Caution: Diploma Mills!

Students Must Be Aware!

Education programs are complex, including distance education offered online via computer-mediated means of communication. Schools must assure that their faculty has been trained in distance education and computer technology and is accessible to students via email and at their main campus location to respond to requests for help, grievances, and technical issues. Also, effective course design to facilitate interactive skills learning and learning goals, means to safeguard student learning and testing procedures must be in place. A well rounded medical assistant program should also include a field practicum and a timed final exam that accurately measures the student's knowledge and skills.

Online Classes are great for many... Especially for those who are already familiar with a subject or field of study and are seeking continuing education, refresher courses, or job related theoretical education to get a promotion or raise, or facilitate cross-training instruction into a related (but similar) position. A quality online program should provide means to interact with instructors via the Internet and in person.

But certainly not for everybody!!! One barrier to online learning is that various disciplines, especially in healthcare occupations, require proper training and protocol when it comes to patiens, and the general public. Errors in a medical office are inexcusable. Medical assistants are held accountable on a very high standard.

Hands-on patient care and examination room procedures (i.e. patient rooming, draping, EKG, blood pressure readings, body specimen collection, cultures, and screening, wound care, bandaging, aseptic techniques, infection control, venipuncture, and suture removal) should be taught in theory, and then practiced on a person under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor. Also, clinical pharmacology, medical transcription skills, and coding and billing procedures require lots of practice using actual equipment, computers, and medical office accounts management software.

Experts in the field agree that a well rounded program should also include a clinical internship / field externship at a pre-approved healthcare facility before graduation. These are areas where a self-paced, unguided, and non-accredited online course hardly ever delivers.

The US Department of Education has recently posted clear and explicit warnings against schools!

They also warn about deception by using unrecognized, or fake accreditations.

Consumers should also read the following...

The State of Maine has published a list of unaccredited degree suppliers (*).

Oregon State has published a list of unaccredited degree suppliers (*).

Texas State has published unaccredited degree suppliers on their "Fraudulent or Substandard Institutions (*). It is unlawful under the Texas Penal Code (section 32.52) to advertise fraudulent or substandard degrees in written or oral advertisement. Violation is a Class B Misdemeanor.

*As seen published on the respective websites on 12/27/2006

The Case of IAC, ACI, and the Three Stooges by John Bear

Anybody who gets ripped off should TAKE ACTION and file a complaint with their Attorney General's office. This is one way to put a stop to this!

What It Means to Be Certified

What sets medical assistants apart is their certification. Only those who received academic and clinical training in all required areas and did their externship can provide an employer documentation that they are well trained. Graduates from a properly accredited school can sit for the much desired certified medical assistant exam. Certified medical assistants are well educated, well versed, and specifically prepared for the high demands of today's healthcare system! Employers know and appreciate this.

Not only is a certified medical assistant's education thorough and diverse, it also is ongoing. Continued education requirements (annual CEU's) must be met to keep credentials current. A certified medical assistant credential is not something that's simply typed on a piece of paper; it is something that has to be earned!

Caution: Diploma Mills!

Extreme Caution Example

Rip-Off—Fighting Back