In December of 2018, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) renewed their efforts to spread awareness about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). According to the AAMA, “Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. The term FASDs is used to define the range of physical, mental, behavioral, and learning disabilities that can result from prenatal alcohol exposure.”

For the past four years, the AAMA has collaborated with the Mountain Plains FASD Practice and Implementation Center (Mountain Plains PIC) in a coordinated national effort to prevent FASDs. They have joined forces to better prepare Medical Assistants to “reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancies (AEPs) and intervene with patients who engage in risky or hazardous alcohol use.” Additionally, this not-for-profit initiative is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, recent funding from the CDC will allow for continued collaboration through 2022!

Check out what the AAMA had to say about this news in their December press release:

“This new collaboration, known as the Medical Assistant Practice Improvement Collaborative (MA-PIC), will build on the work started by the Mountain Plains PIC by developing, delivering, disseminating, and evaluating training and materials for Medical Assisting students and practitioners on how to conduct alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI). These activities will teach Medical Assistants to assist their overseeing providers in identifying patients’ risky drinking behaviors and provide health education to change those behaviors, especially among women of childbearing age to prevent AEPs and FASDs.”

The Importance of Medical Assistants

According to the AAMA, screening and intervention for patients drinking alcohol at unhealthy levels is more effective when Medical Assistants are a part of the healthcare team. Consider the skills and knowledge Medical Assistants have when it comes to providing patient education and prevention techniques. The AAMA lists the following as reasons why Medical Assistants could play a key role in screening for unhealthy alcohol use:

• Their high level of patient interaction
• Their vital role as liaison between patient and provider
• Their familiarity with electronic medical records/patient health history
• Their ability to connect with patients culturally and linguistically
• Their scope of practice allows them to be trained as health coaches, provide counseling and education to reinforce physician advice, and follow up with patients

Since physicians usually do not have the time for alcohol screening or brief intervention, reallocating these tasks to Medical Assistants would save them time and ultimately benefit the patient. The AAMA said it best: “To maximize efficiency, Medical Assistants can conduct screening as part of the routine patient intake, thereby increasing the chance of identifying risky drinking in patient populations. Making the provider aware of a patient’s positive screening results facilitates follow-up and can improve integrated preventive care in healthcare teams.”

Without a doubt, Medical Assistants are key players on the healthcare team. They have the unique opportunity to advance the goals of this national health initiative and help put an end to dangerous alcohol consumption.

About the Medical Assistant Program at Eagle Gate College

Are you interested in Medical Assistant training? Eagle Gate offers an MA program that can be completed in as little as 10 months! An exemplary school, Eagle Gate College is known for giving power to students and associates by teaching cutting-edge, skills-based education, and leadership and personal effectiveness skills to have the career and life they desire. They are caring professionals who empower individuals to achieve personal excellence through student-centered, market-driven education.

At Eagle Gate, current MA students learn through informative lectures and practical training. Graduates of their MA program are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In other words, students who have successfully completed the program will meet the educational requirements for the National Certification exam for Medical Assistants and may be eligible to sit for it. This exam is administered on campus and may be taken through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

For more information, please contact a school representative at (801) 333-7133. Change your future with Eagle Gate!

Once you’ve made the decision to pursue Medical Assisting, it’s time to find a program that will equip you with the education and practical skills you’ll need to be successful in the field. When you consider the impact higher education can have on your future, it makes sense that you would only want to invest in the best schools. If you find yourself conducting online searches for “finding the best MA school near me” or “finding the best medical programs in my area,” there are some critical questions you might want to ask before making any big changes.

It’s important to note that not all Medical Assistant programs are the same. Some programs are held in a traditional classroom with a seasoned instructor providing informative lectures. Other programs are held entirely online, creating flexibility for working professionals or those not in ideal locations. This is why it’s so important to discern your strengths, limitations, and needs. For instance, if you’re looking for a program that offers a combination of expert lectures and active learning, Eagle Gate College maintains a dynamic program that might be ideal for you!

All About Medical Assisting Curriculums

Many Medical Assisting curriculums focus on practical skills required for the career, including a background in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, basic medical procedures, and administrative policies. Core skills are usually gained in the classroom before getting put to the test through hands-on lab work and supervised externships. When considering different Medical Assistant programs, it’s important to ask about the number of hours the program provides/requires for a supervised externship.

Some Medical Assisting students highly value the mentorship and practical experience that can be gained through a real-world externship. Successful graduates will then have the ability to interview for open Medical Assisting jobs at clinics, physicians’ offices, and hospitals, where they can market the experience they’ve gained through school. Additionally, some Medical Assisting programs also provide students with a general skillset that includes interpersonal communication, professionalism, and problem solving. Others might also include lessons on OSHA and HIPAA guidelines.

All About the Importance of Due Diligence

While searching for programs that interest you, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) suggests that you thoroughly investigate these programs before taking further action. You can typically do so by either poring through each institution’s website or contacting the program directors with a few questions. On the AAMA’s website, they list several sample questions that you might want to ask:

+ What are the tuition costs and financial aid options?

+ What are the academic prerequisites?

+ How long does it take to complete the program?

+ What specific topics are covered?

+ What does the practicum involve?

+ What percent of the program’s students/graduates pass the CMA (AAMA) Exam?

+ Will you contact the AAMA Certification Department and give them permission to share your exam pass rates with me?

All About the MA Program at Eagle Gate College

Committing to online research and meeting with school representatives are some of the best ways to learn more about the Medical Assistant programs in your area. Another option is to hold informational interviews with graduates of the programs you are considering. Working Medical Assistants will likely be able to give you a unique perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of these programs. To help you narrow down your decision, we’d like to tell you a little more about Eagle Gate College!

The Eagle Gate College Group is known for giving power to students and associates by teaching cutting-edge, skills-based education, and leadership and personal effectiveness skills to have the career and life they desire. We are caring professionals who empower individuals to achieve personal excellence through student-centered, market-driven education.

If you’d like to change your career but do not want to spend years in school, you might want to consider the Medical Assistant program at Eagle Gate College; it can be completed in as little as 10 months. For more information, please contact a school representative at (801) 333-7133!

The decision to pursue a career in healthcare may feel like a calling for those who want to serve members of their community. Careers in this industry are vital to the overall health of society, and they often provide fulfillment, longevity, and job security. If you are interested in pursuing a “hands-on” career in healthcare that requires less than a year of schooling, Medical Assisting may be the perfect fit for you!

After researching the profession online and speaking with current Medical Assistants working in the field, some may outline actionable steps to take to become a certified Medical Assistant. Eagle Gate College has helped countless aspiring Medical Assistants receive the education and clinical training they need to hit the job market with a lucrative set of skills. Not only will these skills help them earn a living, but they will likely feel a sense of gratification knowing that what they are doing is serving those in need.

The Primary Path Taken for Medical Assisting

The steps to become a certified Medical Assistant typically depend on location and personal goals. While there are numerous paths one could take, generally speaking, potential MAs often complete a formal Medical Assistant program before seeking certification. It’s important to note that while graduating from an MA program might make a candidate more appealing to potential employers, it is technically not required. Additionally, certification is not always a requirement.

In some physicians’ offices and clinics, Medical Assistants receive informal “on the job” training and learn the profession as they see patients. However, some employers may prefer and even expect Medical Assistants to apply after receiving a formal education in Medical Assisting, be it through a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree. When selecting the right program, it’s vital that you meet with admissions representatives and possibly even MA students to ensure that the school is a good fit.

Essential Components to Consider

Different students value different things in a formal program. One student may feel that a close student-to-teacher ratio is vital to success in the classroom, while another might value the number of clinical hours spent with patients. Take a moment to consider what is important to you and ask the right questions when meeting with admissions representatives.

After completing your program, it’s time to apply for jobs, which can cause anxiety for some graduates. However, one of the best aspects of attending a Medical Assistant program—particularly the one you’ll find at Eagle Gate College—is the access to a fantastic career services team. Together with a career coach, you can develop job search strategies that will help you target the best facilities and lead toward the jobs you desire.

About the Medical Assistant Program at Eagle Gate College

Eagle Gate offers an MA program that can be completed in as little as 10 months. An exemplary school, Eagle Gate College is known for giving power to students and associates by teaching cutting-edge, skills-based education, and leadership and personal effectiveness skills to have the career and life they desire. They are caring professionals who empower individuals to achieve personal excellence through student-centered, market-driven education.

At Eagle Gate, current MA students learn through informative lectures and practical training. Graduates of their MA program are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In other words, students that have successfully completed the program will meet the educational requirements for the National Certification exam for Medical Assistants and may be eligible to sit for it. This exam is administered on campus and may be taken through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

Below are a few questions Eagle Gate has commonly seen about formal training:

+ What are a few differences between a Vocational Nurse and a Medical Assistant? Delve into this here.

+ Can you work as a Medical Assistant without being qualified? An Eagle Gate article may help—check it out here.

+ How long is Medical Assistant school? Check out another Eagle Gate article here.

+ Once you’re a certified MA, how can you grow your career? Read more about this here.

For more information, please contact a school representative at (801) 333-7133. Change your future with Eagle Gate!