Medical Assistant Web Forum
Our Motto: "If Medical Assistants post it - Medical Assistants will reply!"
Teach,
don't forget: many feelings come into play when members read your message.
For one, those who paid around $16,000 or more for medical assisting training like I did at Porter & Chester might be a bit hurt by reading that they could have paid much less and graduated without the huge burden of student loans and other debts. I agree, when I compared what I could have paid by going to our well respected community college (STCC "Stick) in Springfield, Massachusetts, I almost choked, too. I graduated six years ago and am STILL thousands of dollars in debt (student loan).
I feel like I should have done better research and some "price shopping" and could have paid only a fraction.
But then again, when I get that lump in my throat each time the monly bill is due (student loan payment) I tell myself: "That's okay". I enjoyed my time as a medical assistant student at a great school and I was given all the tools and a real chance to flourish as a professional -- and that's priceless.
So I continue to pay up while I enjoy the benefits, make the most of it, and just never look back.
However, not everybody can do that. Your message is of no help to those who have already gone to school and graduated and are stuck with their bills. On the other hand, your message CAN make a difference to those who are contemplating higher education or medical assisting training. Sometimes I wish someone had told me that education varies GREATLY regarding quality, cost, and outcome (such as accreditation, job placement assistance, tuition and grants).
Therefore, don't feel bad that you have inadvertently stirred up a little bit of a reaction here. In reading the responses, I feel that none are truly hostile and a little controversy (ie. pros and cons) is a good thing.
I encourage everybody to be proactive and participate actively in this very interesting topic.
Danni
Your Professional Title/Credentials: Website Owner/Site Admin
Lori,
I am convinced that Teach cannot teach everything a medical assistant needs to know in such a short time. Obviously not. It would be best if she told us a bit more about her program and what the goals are. I am just guessing when I say this:
The reason why Teach can "get away" with training MA's in such a short time is the simple fact that medical assistants do not even NEED to go to school. Remember, in the USA anybody can be trained right on the job under the doctor's direct supervision. State laws do NOT mandate proper medical assistant training and certification. All that is voluntary.
So, if Teach is able to teach her students FUNDAMENTAL skills and provide basic knowledge they can indeed be hired and trained further right on the job. Employers, I am sure, are willing to do this if they know the school is serious about their program and what they do.
Now, when it comes to credits from this sort of training, I am sure they do not transfer to any colleges for later application toward a highrer degree. But interestingly, many of the younger generations, especially right after HS, are not very concerned about that. Their highest goal is to get a job and make money ASAP. This has much to do with the present state of our economy. People need money!
And the employers are still looking to hire for as little wages as they can get away with. They do not care much for whether an MA has a degree, they care for whether the person is trainable and can do the job for as little pay as possible. If you don't believe it, then why do you think the proposed raise of the minimum wage was rejected?
So that the rich can remain rich or get richer, and the poor can stay poor. And doctors, (not all, but mostly specialists) belong to the rich group, not the poor. Medicine in no longer paid by a meal or a quilt, it is a BUSINESS! And doctors run their offices as such.
Your Professional Title/Credentials: Website Owner/Site Admin
Lori, you bring up many valid points and I do know about untrained MA's, believe me! My students have class for approx. 186 hours in addition to their internships- They are supervised by either an LVN, RN or MD while on site.
They cannot take verbal orders. Any medications are verified by the RN or MD. (this is always true in California). I am in constant contact with their supervisors and visit them while they are working. No student can give an injection without passing the med math test and knowing how to read a PDR. They must know about any med they are injecting. We have a guest speaker from the health department discuss all the childhood immunizations. Having spent a lot of time in peds, I know how scary it can be to give five injections to a baby. I agree that one semester is a very short time and it is entry level. I would like to hear opinions about more classtime, longer internships, etc.
I want to assure you that I would never give a certificate to anyone... My signature assures that the student has passed all proficiencies. I have dropped students and we have a great adult counselor who provides wonderful career direction and free classes for basic skills. Are we perfect? Heck no.. Our class is very small- 48 students... drop rate can be up to 25%
As far as the salary, my students starting salary range is $11.00 to 13.00 per hour. Two graduates in June are making $15.00 per hour in a specialty office.
I agree that the MA's should be licensed.. I support the effort and plan to talk with our local office.
I look forward to hearing from everyone.
Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA- Regional Occupational Program- Clinical Medical Assisting Instructor
Are You Working? Yes
In my humble opinion……I am not all together sure that the amount of time one spends in school makes a better or worse MA. When and where I went to school I went for 2 years, one year front, one year back and that didn’t include my externship (one for front and one for back)…..If you where a patient would that make you feel more comfortable? Would you feel more secure letting me give your child a shot?
I went to school almost 25 years ago….How relevant is what I learned then to a medical practice now? As an MA are you really and truly aware of what all the side effects for every medication you could possibly be asked to give, could (or should) you off the cuff answer a patients questions about their medications and treatment?
When I went to school to become a paramedic it was only 52 weeks, 8 hours a week…we learned a lot of the same things that MA’s learn, and a lot of things that MA’s don’t. How do you feel knowing that the a person can do cardio version, pericardiocentisis, and push morphine IV only has 200 hrs of class room training? Would it make you feel better that I had 200hr of field work also? You can only learn so much from the book. I can read 30 pages on how to take a pulse, but taking 30 pulses will teach me more.
As for what a patient thinks coming in to an office – and once again this is just my opinion.. When I room a patient, or talk to a patient on the phone unless they have a background in the medical field, they think you are a nurse – if you have read any of my other posts, this is a huge pet peeve of mine – I’M NOT A NURSE . In 20 some years of working in the medical field I have never had anyone ever question me about my training before I gave their baby shots. I agree that patients should be more aware – but I don’t think they are.
I think that it is important to get a good base of knowledge, in whatever field you choose, to be passionate about it, be curious, ask questions and take each and every chance to get more knowledge. Medications, techniques, treatment and equipment change everyday. The basics of good vitals monitoring, sterile technique, injection and venipucture, hand washing, professionalism, and medical terminology are what you need to get started but to succeed as a Medical Assistant you have learn to be an extension of the Dr. you work under, and to know as much as you can about the area you are in. I really don’t care if the MA at the Derm office knows anything about childhood immunizations, but I do what her to be knowable enough about Kenolog injection to know that if it doesn’t go deep IM that I will get a dimple in my butt. Knowledge is power, and it is what the person absorbs from the school, not so much the school itself. I have known very excellent Dr.’s who got their degrees in shifty third rate schools, as well as quacks that I wouldn’t let touch my dog who have been awarded accolades from Harvard. If your a low C student, who doesn’t crack your books but can get by, your still an MA at the end of the program, good school or bad and you’ll still be a substandard MA.
IMHO,
Chil
Your Professional Title/Credentials: M.A
Are You Still In School? no
Are You Working? yes
Well there you have it Lori, you just proved my point. You as a manager assure that the people who work at your office know the drugs you use at your office. You don't rely on them knowing every detail when they leave school. If as a manager you assumed that they knew everything, that would be substandard.
And yes if your good at your job you will advance and be given more responsibilty, and even responsibilty of others. Your outlook as you embark on your journey to mentor these new MA's is wonderful, and you really seem to have a commitment to quility. I'm sure you will also continue to get more training and education to keep upto date with issues that are important to your practice - your doctors.
I'm glad we agree
Your Professional Title/Credentials: M.A
Are You Still In School? no
Are You Working? yes
"This makes me wonder if we are 'dumbing down' the ma program. I think licensure for ma's is the only way to prevent this from continuing"………posted by Lori
So, What I am hearing you say is -
the only way to prevent errors the licensure and going though a certain program? Because people with a license never make mistakes and people with posh training do not make mistakes either? You are also undauntedly certain that had your employee actually given that shot (which could easily have happened) the patient would have died, there would have been no possibility for any other outcome. I am also hearing that because of the above facts that you believe that Teach is putting out substandard MA's, and degrading MA's as a whole?
Lori, your views are interesting. However I think you reaction is harsh and short sighted. I think as a community we could be more proactive by encouraging TEACH to continue to take pride in what she is doing in the program she is working in.
I applaud the fact the program that Teach is working with has both state and community college accreditation. 1 semester may seem short, but Teach did mention that front office was another semester, which is a full year of school. Teach also mentioned that most of her students are high school students so many of the English, math, and computer science classes have probably been covered. I also believe that the students still going to class 3 hours a week during the internship is a wonderful idea. This allows the students the see the real world and come back with relevant questions. Being able to walk out of high school with your MA – that would be great!!!!! I’m sure having a job that pays $11.00 an hour right out of HS helps many of these students afford college. I think that programs like the one Teach works with should be encouraged. She did mentioned it is a public program though the public schools for 18yr seniors – this is how I like to see my tax dollars at work. As Tracy said, I wish I could have gotten college credit in HS.
Many well known universities offer nursing degrees online in 9 months, when you graduate you pass your boards and have a state blessing just like everyone else. So if they only go to school for 9 month but they can be an RN and be trusted be cause they have to be a license to be an RN how does this fit into your regulation theory? In my opinion it not the dog in fight, it’s the fight in the dog, but that’s just one dog’s opinion.
Teach, thanks for letting us know about your program, it sounds great. How do the HS kids qualify? How is the program funded though the HS. Are there special qualifications for the non high school students who attend? Do your student belong to HOSA, it is like DECA or FFA but for high school and college student who are interested in health care careers? Are there a lot of programs like yours in California? Does any one else know about this kind of programs in their state?
Your Professional Title/Credentials: M.A
Are You Still In School? no
Are You Working? yes
Teach,
I checked out the website - wow, so I checked in to our local school district and we have a program. Nothing like yours, students can take a group of electives (medical term, bio, health science classes where they learn cpr, first aid, OSHA requirements, basic office skill and such) to get a HS diploma with a health science focus. They do have the students to find employment in health related areas, from what I understand they usually end up doing courier and specimen sorting for the labs. I'm going to interview a couple of them front office and medical records (faxing and filing). Thank you once again for opening my eyes to the resources of vocational training.
Lori,
I checked out the website. I think you have to be very careful when you decide you want the government to regulate something. This opinion isn’t arbitrary ask any one who went thought the paramedic national registry and licensing a few years ago - just because they regulate you doesn't mean it going to be done by people who know anything about the subject.
A prime example of this is the “no child left behind”. States have to prove that the students know certain skills, so instead of getting a well rounded education, teachers “teach to the test” and the children are be taught how prepare for and take tests. How about school lunches, the government regulates those and what they serve children is really notorious, safe and healthy? and what about the “Government Certified” levy’s in New Orleans, oh and FEMA? That is government regulation at work.
I noticed on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, who provide governmental oversight, offers access to employers (for a fee) and the nurse (who pays for the test, and licensing) them self, not much help to the general public.
Your Professional Title/Credentials: M.A., EMT-P, MSNE,
Are You Still In School? no
Are You Working? yes
My thoughts exactlly! I think I could learn alot from both of you, and of course you know that research has shown that spirted debate helps keep the mind young, and wards off the depression of becoming elderly. 
That is very interesting about the nursing union!
I don't know about your state but a lot of what is "turned out" as a high school graduate is frighting.
I can't even imagine how one would get someone though MA school who couldn't get though HS, just the reading required would be difficult. I think that education standard has really gone down in alot of areas, not just MA school.
Chil
Your Professional Title/Credentials: M.A., EMT-P, MSNE,
Are You Still In School? no
Are You Working? yes
*FYI *
Maryland has laws governing the scope of MA's. I think if you go to the AMT website you may be able to find it there. In Maryland MA's can even start IV's, DC them and push IV meds (with a MD in the room). We can also inject IV contrast.
Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA, DT, CNA
Are You Still In School? yes
Are You Working? yes
I'm in AZ, the super red part on the weather map right now 
We are one of the states where "things" are pretty laid out. Enforcement of the code - that's a different story.
ARIZONA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
TITLE 4. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
CHAPTER 16. ALLOPATHIC BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS
ARTICLE 3 . MEDICAL ASSISTANTS
our state board regs
http://www.azmdboard.org/Regulatory/MA/303.htm
These or the requirments that a school must meet for it's MA's to work in AZ. This also has the stardard of what MA's can do in at (plus the add list in the 303 regs above.
http://www.caahep.org/documents/MA%20Standards.pdf
Your Professional Title/Credentials: M.A., EMT-P, MSNE,
Are You Still In School? no
Are You Working? yes
Lori, you are beahving like a snob, to say that someone is "substandard" when you are new to any field you are substandard, no MA can walk on the job and know exactly what to do, everyone must be trained in some sort of way, also, MAs are amost always employed with a nurse on staff, and hardly ever deal with medications that can be really dangerous,I think you are trying to big up MAs to be more than they are. I have seen plenty of people get trained on the job to be an MA and let's face it MAs will NEVER be licensed or cosidered " Nurse Techs" so let's give TEACH a break, I'm sure if her students get hired,and can maintain employment, without "killikg" anybody she must be doing something right -SHEESH-
Your Professional Title/Credentials: CMA
Are You Still In School? No
Are You Working? yes
I'm curious about how to find an employer that starts off with a good pay rate.Let's face it I'm trying to the pay I deserve without having to get started off with $7-$8.00 an hr.Do you have any suggestions?
Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA student
Are You Still In School? yes
Are You Working? no
Suzanne,
I was just curious how you became an MA instrutor? I have been thinking about attending an MA program and gain some field experience, and later on become an instrutor. What is an average salary for MA instrutor?
I also read on one of the post, you mention that MA are really in high demand, why is that everyone is complaining about the profession. What is an acceptable wage for an MA? If I was fresh out of school as an MA, I would probably seek to get at least 15.00. Another question, what is the difference between an MA I and MA II. I've seen some job posting seeking an MA II.
Sorry for asking too many questions at once. I've been reading all these posts on this forum and others such as indeed.com, and people have such negativity towards this profession.
Thanks for answering my questions.
from my experience these private schools are crap with a capital c. I went to maric now kaplan. I dropped half way through. The school was so negative i had panic attacks which i no longer have since i dropped. Many people who go there are under age 25 and way too immature for the field! Alot of them are pregnant and have 5 kids, dirt poor, drug addicts, fresh out of prison or thieves! We had a student who was a shakey drug addict giving injections! Other students were bragging about drug use or were worried about drug screenings when they got to back office. the back office teacher i had was a real B-- gave me the eeebie jeebies when i first met her. high turn over of teachers and ma directer got fired. Im working with vocational rehab and my worker thought ma would not be good for me as i have a back injury and major depression. I am now persuing a certificate for free through the mental health system to be a peer advocate. hope it works out. I got picked on by the younger "children" in the school because im quiet, smart and kept to myself. I didnt fit in either and didnt want to assiciate with the immature lowlifes who went there. Im a good nice person with morals. too bad if they dont like that!!
Your Professional Title/Credentials: ma school drop out and happy about it
Are You Still In School? no
