Hi, I was wondering if anyone is located around Ny(Buffalo) and could share there experiences? Thank You :)

Are You Still In School? yes

Hi cmm4ever, my name is Diana. I don't live near Buffalo but live in DeRuyter, NY (between Syr & Cortland). I graduated from MA in July (took & passed my CCMA, CMAA, CBCS exams in August)and still havent found a job. I am hoping to land a job in the South so my search has focused on that region but I have applied for a few in Syracuse but no luck. I wish you luck on your search.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: CCMA, CMAA, CBCS

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? No

Thanks for responding. I wish you luck, and by the way were did you attend school? Was it an Associates program?

Are You Still In School? yes

I took the course at OCM BOCES Center for New Careers in Cortland. It was 6 months long, full-time days, Mon-Fri 830a-330p (780 hours). Very hands-on and intensive. We also took tours at the xray dept, labratory, sterilization dept and trauma unit at University Hospital in Syracuse. We attended a job fair, performed mock interviews, and did a 1 month internship. The course was $6100, incl books, 3 sets of scrubs, stethoscope. We paid separately for whichever national exams we chose to take ($150 each). At graduation, we received a certificate and our ma pins. It is upsetting that after devoting all that time and money to not be able to find work. I don't regret the decision but would like to secure a job! Anyway, how about you?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: CCMA, CMAA, CBCS

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? No

Well I started college at Trocaire right after highschool in FA 07 ever hear of it? I took some pre req's first, and then finally got into my original program which was Radiologic Technology. I was taking 7 classes at once when I started that in FA 08 AND IT WAS ALOT!I got all A's and B's in all of my classes besides in the clinical portion which she failed me and I do not believe I ever deserved that grade! Maybe I should of faught it more yet again, I realized I didnt like it that much and the school never seems to care anyways. NOW... I am towards the end of my first semester in the Medical Assistant program.It's an Associates degree program, but I am supposed to graduate within 3 semesters instead of 4 since I had like 7 classes that transferred over. Im kind of mad though because I had 10 that didnt! SORRY SO LONG... was your program accredited and could you/did you take the certification exam? I thought I heard that you cant even take the exam to be certified if its a certificate when you graduated. I have been hearing that employers want you certified and I hope it goes good for me as well as you! I cant wait until im DONE!!!!!!!

Are You Still In School? yes

The program is accredited through the Council on Occupational Education in Atlanta, GA. At the end of the course, we were provided the opportunity to sit for the national exams, offered through the National Healthcare Association. The exams were like $150 each and consisted of 200 multiple choice questions. I took, and passed the exams for CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant), CMAA (Certified Medical Administrative Assistant) and CBCS (Certified Billing & Coding Specialist) because I figured it would help with employment opportunities. I was so wrong! I feel I wasted like $8000 and 6 months because I can't get a job. Every job I have applied to, thousands (NY, NC, SC, GA, TN, KS)have all said it is because I don't have at least 1 year experience in a medical setting. With my certifications, I can work either front or back office but so far, no luck and I have been out ofschool since July. I can't get experience because I cant get a job and feel that I am losing my skills because I cant use them. Anyway, I wish you much luck with your schooling and future endeavors.

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? No