FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) What is a Medical Assistant? Medical Assistants assist with administrative tasks and minor clinical procedures, to keep doctor's offices, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care sttings running smoothly. Students study all major aspects of this profession in ourMedical Assistant Distance Education Program. What are the daily duties of a Medical Assistant? The duties of Medical Assistants vary, depending on office location, size, and specialty. In small practices, Medical Assistants usually are "generalists", handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area under the supervision of department administrators. Medical Assistants perform many administrative duties. They answer telephones, greet patients, update and file patient medical records, fill out insurance forms, handle correspondence, schedule appointments, arrange for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handle billing and bookkeeping. What types of clinical tasks do Medical Assistants Perform? Clinical duties vary grealy according to national and state laws. The daily clinical duties of a Medical Assistant may include: taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical Assistants may also be asked to help collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They may also be asked to instruct patients about medication and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy. In certain medical offices Medical Assistants may assist in drawing blood, preparing patients for x rays, taking EGKs (electrocardiograms), removing sutures, and changing dressings (bandages). Medical Assistants that perform some of these more advanced clinical procedures may receive additional training in clinical procedures. This training is most often given on an informal basis at a clinic or doctor’s office. Some Medical Assistants recieve additional training in a traditional classroom or a weekend seminar setting. The clinical aspect of Medical Assistant training varies greatly depending on country and state laws, as well as the individual medical setting itself. What is Distance Education? Distance education takes place when an instructor and the students are separated by a physical distance and the students do not have to attend traditional on-campus classes. Most schools use new technology (such as the internet) along with traditional instructional methods (such as textbook reading assignments) to educate the students. These types of programs can provide adults with a second chance at an education, reach those disadvantaged by limited time, distance or physical disability and update the knowledge base of workers at their places of employment. Our Medical Assistant program combines required textbook reading assignments, CD-ROM viewing assignments and a few internet web based tasks. After completion of these assignments the students take our online final exam to access their knowledge in the three basic areas of Medical Assisting. Please note that students may take our final exam as often as need at no additional charge. Take a moment to view the details of our innovative program listed on our Medical Assistant distance education program registration page. Is distance education (home study) effective? Yes! Most studies show distance education to be more effective then traditional classroom education since the students are allowed to study at their own pace. As a result most of our student easily find employement shortly after completing our distance education program. How much does your distance education program cost? For current tuition costs and fees please view our Medical Asssistant Distance Education Program information and registration page. ***PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TUITION SAVINGS DURING OUR CURRENT TUITION DRIVE!*** What are the prerequisites (requirements) for admission? In an effort to make our program available to a diverse population we have an open admission policy, however all students must have access to the internet and computer skills sufficient enough for a distance education program. Students must have an ethical commitment to work in a professional medical environment and conduct themselves in a professional manner. Most of our students have completed high school, however some advanced students in their last year of high school may eligable begin our program. A senior high school student should contact us prior to enrolling, so we can evaluate their application for early enrollment. A student should have sufficient reading and computer skills to complete an online independent distance education (home study) program. Keep in mind that most employers will require a high school or GED diploma. How long does your distance education program take to complete? The length of time to complete your studies depends on you. Most student are able to complete our online Medical Assistant program in under 3 months. One of the big advantages of distance learning is the absence of attendance requirements! With no attendance requirements, you can easily continue to work while you pursue your studies. You can work at your own pace, so you may take as long as needed to complete our distance education home study program. The faster you work, the quicker you will complete our program. Most students successfully complete our program in under 3 months, however many students are able to complete our Medical Assistant program in a shorter period of time. This is the major advantage of distance education (home study), the fact that you can work in your spare time and at your own pace. Register Today! Do I need to take a license exam after completing your program? In most cases No. In the United States and most countries medical assistants, office managers, medical receptionists and other support staff members do not need a license to work for in a physician’s office, hospital, clinic or other health care facility. Although medical assistants are not currently licensed in the United States, some states may require limited permits in radiography, invasive procedures and other limited areas of practice. If you have any additional questions please consult with your appropriate state or local governmental departments. Are any course materials required? All students entering our Medical Assistant program are required to purchase the textbook: "Prentice Hall Health Outline Review for Medical Assistants" (2nd edition), by Marsha Perkins Hemby. This text and enclosed CD-ROM contain all the materials required to successfully complete our Medical Assistant distance education program. The text is available at www.Amazon.com for $45.33 (used copies are often available at a reduced price) or may be purchased directly from the publisher Prentice Hall at www.PrenHall.com for $40.80. How do I register for you program? Just click on any of our distance education program registration links and you can fully enroll online. With our secure PayPal affiliation you can safely pay with most credit cards, checks and other payment methods. Our fees are listed in US dollars, however we accept most world currencies. You may also send a check or money order directly to our school at: St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants, Distance Education Program, 1455 Tallevast Road, Suite L0130, Sarasota, Florida, 34243 USA. Remember to make all checks payable to: "St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants". When registering by mail enclose your name, address, phone number and email address. Mail registration usually takes 3-4 weeks, so please be patient. Online registration is usually processed within a few days. Please take note that since this is a distance education program all registration fees are final and non-refundable. What happens after I register? Shortly after you register for our program we will review your application for admission to our school, then within a few days you will be sent (via email) your student ID and password needed to sign in for the on line assignments and to take our final exam. Please note that, if you are not accepted to our program, all your fees will be refunded within 24 hours. Also if you register by mail the process usually takes about 3-4 weeks, so please be patient. Is Financial Aid or Student Loans Available for distance education programs? Most countries do not yet help student with distance education class work. If you believe you may be eligable for some finacial aid then you should contact your country's department of higher education. In addition many employers will help pay a student to take our classes and advance their education. What is the future for Medical Assistants? According to the United States Department of Labor, "health care will continue to be one of the fastest growing industries in our economy. Employment in health-related occupations is projected to grow to over 24 million by the year 2005 in the United Sates", most other developed countries predict similar growth. Why Should I register for St. Augustine School of Medical Assitants Medical Assistant Program? With St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants' convenient Distance Education (Home Study) program, you can earn prestige as a dedicated professional. In today’s competitive health care environment, having diverse, up-to-date skills can be the difference between career success and career stagnation. Advancement opportunities abound for men and women with multiple health care skills and state-of-the-art knowledge, and that’s why the St. Augustine School of Medical Assistant’s program can help you achieve success in your health care career. With our proven Distance Learning (Home Study) course, we prepare you to establish yourself in an in-demand health care specialty and prepare for a secure future in a respected career field within the fast growing health care industry. Join the health care team as a Medical Assistant! What do I receive after completing your program? When you successfully complete the required course of study and our final exam you'll receive an attractive certificate of completion and a copy of your transcripts from the "St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants". Graduation from the prestigious St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants stands as proof of your dedication to success and evidence of your new knowledge and skills. How much money do Medical Assistants earn? The typical average annual salary in the United States is $28,600 to $38,500. Many offices, clinics, hospitals and nursing homes offer additional benefit packages to their employees with salary bonuses and regular pay increases. Remember, with our Convenient and Secure Online Registration you can start working towards a brighter future today! |
| St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants Department of Distance Education |