Vocational Training Program Student Has Noting to Show for...

Where so many qualified medical assistants are graduating from formal training programs, only to find themselves competing with their peers for available medical assistant jobs, obtaining medical assistant certification takes on a whole new meaning. Many medical assistant schools gear their program and curriculum toward their own preferred certification organization with which they have a contract or agreement, however, what they are not always telling their medical assistant student body is that there are additional other well recognized medical assistant certification sponsors offering their services and professional membership opportunities to those who qualify.

"After paying $9,000, I have nothing!" When Silvia Pascu laid out $9,000 to attend the Canadian Aesthetics Academy in 2007 she shared the aspirations of many new Canadians looking for a foothold in a promising career. Unfortunately she wound up enrolling into a program that did not hold up to the promise and her own expectations. The same is happening all over the USA at questionable cyber schools with questionable practices who target prospective medical assistant students.

We urge future medical assistants to do their research before signing up for anything. It is up to each individual to decide which type of medical assistant program, regardless whether it is on campus, or online, best meets their needs. One of the best places to begin checking for a formal healthcare training program's quality and reputation is the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the largest programmatic accreditor in the health sciences field, Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) along with various consumer protection organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau.

Unrecognized School Accreditation Entities

Consumers must be aware that there is a list of unrecognized accreditation entities which identify themselves as accreditors of higher education institutions, but lack necessary legal authority or government recognition to provide such educational accreditation.

Being a Smart Consumer Pays Off

Don't become one of those horror stories where students wind up with certificates, or diplomas that are completely worthless and with job placement assistance that consists of nothing but a list of doctors copied from the local area's Yellow Pages (if that much!).

 This is not to discourage anybody; indeed, there are many excellent distance education programs offered online, including for the healthcare professionals.  

Like any consumer, prospective medical assistant students must be careful and aware of gray-area, non-accredited programs, or diploma mills, especially online as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. These programs are not designed for those hoping to start a new career, but rather to move unsuspecting consumer's money from their pocket into their own for very little in exchange. Read more: Warning signs that an institution may be offering fraudulent or substandard degrees

Be Smart and Choose Wisely

Those looking for a medical assistant school must first understand the purpose AND value of a good medical assistant training with supervised skill practice in a clinical setting. Before signing up anywhere you must be aware that there are bogus schools out there making false promises and false representations to churn out diplomas that will get you nowhere on today's highly selective and competitive job market. Here is Wikipedia's list of unrecognized school accreditors.

• Researching Medical Assistant Schools
  
  Being a smart consumer pays off when choosing vocational training programs especially online. Warning signs and 14 program quality check points include...
• Schoos and Medical Assisting Programs
  
  Medical Assistant training programs that can be completed quickly. Vocational training schools and colleges in your area offering medical assistant career programs.
• Medical Assisant Training Finanacial Aid
• Government Consumer Warnings
  
  Accreditation doesn't automatically mean that learners will qualify for state or national certification upon completing the course. Be an informed consumer...
• Bogus Certificates and Degrees
  
  Prospective medical assistants looking for online medical assistant courses can find gray area online medical assistant programs without any special pre-enrollment conditions.