4 answers
Daisha
Student
Baltimore, Maryland
1
Question
Asked
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What’s hard about becoming a medical assistant ?
What’s hard about becoming a medical assistant with a learning disability??
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4 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Daisha pursuing a career in medicine doesn’t have to require many years of schooling and a career as a doctor or a nurse. In fact, there are plenty of people who work behind the scenes at hospitals and healthcare facilities to ensure quality patient care. Medical assistants, in particular, play a vital role in the day-to-day success of the healthcare team. As a medical assistant, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients and contribute to the overall success of a hospital, doctor’s office or healthcare facility.
Daisha may I suggest you take some free introductory courses in order to become more familiar with the field. Most courses and lessons are taught in video format, though some are offered in text form. Occasionally, smartphone app options are also available. Lessons are self-paced, and most are accessible without a login. These free options can give you a starting foundation in the medical assisting field, but more advanced coursework is necessary in order to become certified.
Daisha when you are ready, you will need to obtain a certificate, diploma, or associate degree that shows you have obtained the skills and knowledge necessary to support medical staff and assist in providing patient care. There are several colleges in the country that offer you the option of pursuing an MA program online.
ASHWORTH COLLEGE
https://www.ashworthcollege.edu
The college’s online medical assistant course is a certificate program that you can complete at your own pace. The curriculum emphasizes administrative procedures, so classes focus on medical front office management, medical documentation and processing insurance claims. You’ll have access to online labs and research libraries as well as to an internet student portal where you’ll complete lesson modules. For students who are on the go, Ashworth College also provides a convenient smartphone app. Students benefit from a supportive online community they keep in touch with through discussion forums, email, live chat and webinars.
AMERICAN CAREER COLLEGE
https://americancareercollege.edu
The Medical Assistant Training Program at the American Career College is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and offers one of the fastest path to a career as a medical assistant. Students can earn their diploma in as few as nine months after completing the hybrid online and on-campus curriculum.
ULTIMATE MEDICAL ACADEMY
https://learn.ultimatemedical.edu
The online associate degree for the medical administrative assistant program at Ultimate Medical Academy provides students with an overview of check-in procedures, insurance claims, medical coding, appointment scheduling, and more. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions as well as to sit for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam upon meeting eligibility requirements
Daisha may I suggest you take some free introductory courses in order to become more familiar with the field. Most courses and lessons are taught in video format, though some are offered in text form. Occasionally, smartphone app options are also available. Lessons are self-paced, and most are accessible without a login. These free options can give you a starting foundation in the medical assisting field, but more advanced coursework is necessary in order to become certified.
Daisha when you are ready, you will need to obtain a certificate, diploma, or associate degree that shows you have obtained the skills and knowledge necessary to support medical staff and assist in providing patient care. There are several colleges in the country that offer you the option of pursuing an MA program online.
ASHWORTH COLLEGE
https://www.ashworthcollege.edu
The college’s online medical assistant course is a certificate program that you can complete at your own pace. The curriculum emphasizes administrative procedures, so classes focus on medical front office management, medical documentation and processing insurance claims. You’ll have access to online labs and research libraries as well as to an internet student portal where you’ll complete lesson modules. For students who are on the go, Ashworth College also provides a convenient smartphone app. Students benefit from a supportive online community they keep in touch with through discussion forums, email, live chat and webinars.
AMERICAN CAREER COLLEGE
https://americancareercollege.edu
The Medical Assistant Training Program at the American Career College is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and offers one of the fastest path to a career as a medical assistant. Students can earn their diploma in as few as nine months after completing the hybrid online and on-campus curriculum.
ULTIMATE MEDICAL ACADEMY
https://learn.ultimatemedical.edu
The online associate degree for the medical administrative assistant program at Ultimate Medical Academy provides students with an overview of check-in procedures, insurance claims, medical coding, appointment scheduling, and more. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions as well as to sit for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam upon meeting eligibility requirements
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Daisha !
Even though you are wondering about the difficulty with an academic path, your experience will be completely different than others who have a learning or sensory disability. It can be encouraging to hear other people speak of their experiences, but there are some things that you can consider to figure out your own personal way to manage college. Think about how you are doing in high school and ask us about particular issues that may be making you anticipate difficulties in college.
I have known three people, two with learning disabilities and one with a sensory disability. One who has a learning disability obtained a Bachelors, one similar obtained a Masters and the person who has a sensory disability obtained a Masters Degree, so this can be done. One of them who had a learning disability just took their time with getting their Bachelors Degree, classes here and there with gaps. The other person with the learning disability used to say that she just had a lot of help.
The programs to become a medical assistant are not very lengthy, but you will have to explore at the different schools if you could take gaps. You can take the education nine to twelve months for a diploma or certificate, or go two years to obtain an Associates Degree. I would recommend going to a college for the two year Associates Degree because on a college campus, you may find more assistance for students that have a disability. In your city, explore Anne Arundel Community College or Harford Community College at which you can obtain your AAS Degree for Medical Assistant.
My advice is to visit the colleges and take a tour and orientation. Explore their student services and if they have an office that specifically serves
students that have a disability. Ask about the availability of tutors on campus, too. Your experience is going to depend on how many classes you can work with each semester. Find out the classes you will need to take, if gaps are allowed, if going part time is allowed for the Medical Assistant Program. It is all going to depend on what your particular learning disability is as there are many.
Some learning disabilities are Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Dysphasia/Aphasia, Auditory Processing Disorder, Visual Processing Disorder, and Nonverbal Learning Disability. Read more about each one and see what features you may have and then read more about that specific one. There is assistance for these kind of issues that you can reach out to in your community.
Good resources for you would be at Abilities Network, League For People With Disabilities, The Arc Baltimore, Maryland Disability Law Center,
all located in Baltimore. Do a search for their websites for more information.
Baltimore County Government also has resources that you can explore and I have left the link to their website below.
Do not give up, you can do it. Pace yourself, know your limits and try not to worry. College will be a very exciting time, meeting people who all have the same goal as you and I encourage you to follow through with your career academics and goals. I wish you all the best moving forward !
BALTIMORE COUNTY GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR RESOURCES https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/boards-commissions/disabilities-commission/resources
Even though you are wondering about the difficulty with an academic path, your experience will be completely different than others who have a learning or sensory disability. It can be encouraging to hear other people speak of their experiences, but there are some things that you can consider to figure out your own personal way to manage college. Think about how you are doing in high school and ask us about particular issues that may be making you anticipate difficulties in college.
I have known three people, two with learning disabilities and one with a sensory disability. One who has a learning disability obtained a Bachelors, one similar obtained a Masters and the person who has a sensory disability obtained a Masters Degree, so this can be done. One of them who had a learning disability just took their time with getting their Bachelors Degree, classes here and there with gaps. The other person with the learning disability used to say that she just had a lot of help.
The programs to become a medical assistant are not very lengthy, but you will have to explore at the different schools if you could take gaps. You can take the education nine to twelve months for a diploma or certificate, or go two years to obtain an Associates Degree. I would recommend going to a college for the two year Associates Degree because on a college campus, you may find more assistance for students that have a disability. In your city, explore Anne Arundel Community College or Harford Community College at which you can obtain your AAS Degree for Medical Assistant.
My advice is to visit the colleges and take a tour and orientation. Explore their student services and if they have an office that specifically serves
students that have a disability. Ask about the availability of tutors on campus, too. Your experience is going to depend on how many classes you can work with each semester. Find out the classes you will need to take, if gaps are allowed, if going part time is allowed for the Medical Assistant Program. It is all going to depend on what your particular learning disability is as there are many.
Some learning disabilities are Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Dysphasia/Aphasia, Auditory Processing Disorder, Visual Processing Disorder, and Nonverbal Learning Disability. Read more about each one and see what features you may have and then read more about that specific one. There is assistance for these kind of issues that you can reach out to in your community.
Good resources for you would be at Abilities Network, League For People With Disabilities, The Arc Baltimore, Maryland Disability Law Center,
all located in Baltimore. Do a search for their websites for more information.
Baltimore County Government also has resources that you can explore and I have left the link to their website below.
Do not give up, you can do it. Pace yourself, know your limits and try not to worry. College will be a very exciting time, meeting people who all have the same goal as you and I encourage you to follow through with your career academics and goals. I wish you all the best moving forward !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Diane Frazier
Consultant
3
Answers
Montross, Virginia
Updated
Diane’s Answer
It's important to realize that Medical Assistants and Medical Administrative Assistants each have unique roles! The Medical Assistant focuses on clinical duties, while the Medical Administrative Assistant often works behind the scenes in the office. Both roles are crucial and offer different ways to contribute to the healthcare field. Keep exploring to find the path that suits you best!
Aleah Harris
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
26
Answers
California, Missouri
Updated
Aleah’s Answer
Daisha,
Becoming a Medical Assistant is a great career path, even if you have a learning disability, because it requires hands on clinicals and skills labs, as well as reading, writing papers, quizzes, and tests. If you struggle with the book work you may catch on better in clinicals and vice versa. Let the college you plan to attend know that you have a learning disability and what type of disability it is so they know how to assist you. Most colleges are willing to work with you to make course work and clinicals accessible to you. If you enjoy interacting with people, have a caring heart, and are interested in healthcare, becoming a Medical Assistant is a great opportunity for you! I would highly recommend a community college, due to smaller class sizes and more personal connections with teachers and classmates. I would also recommend getting an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting, rather than just a certificate, as it opens more doors, you are a top applicant, and you have the potential to earn more money. I thoroughly love my chosen career as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and am actually the team lead at my clinic, in charge of our nursing staff of six nurses/MA’s! Medical Assisting has great potential! Best of luck!
Inform the colleges you apply to of your learning disability and ask what services they offer to support your success.
Job shadow a Medical Assistant to make sure this field is for you!
Becoming a Medical Assistant is a great career path, even if you have a learning disability, because it requires hands on clinicals and skills labs, as well as reading, writing papers, quizzes, and tests. If you struggle with the book work you may catch on better in clinicals and vice versa. Let the college you plan to attend know that you have a learning disability and what type of disability it is so they know how to assist you. Most colleges are willing to work with you to make course work and clinicals accessible to you. If you enjoy interacting with people, have a caring heart, and are interested in healthcare, becoming a Medical Assistant is a great opportunity for you! I would highly recommend a community college, due to smaller class sizes and more personal connections with teachers and classmates. I would also recommend getting an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting, rather than just a certificate, as it opens more doors, you are a top applicant, and you have the potential to earn more money. I thoroughly love my chosen career as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and am actually the team lead at my clinic, in charge of our nursing staff of six nurses/MA’s! Medical Assisting has great potential! Best of luck!
Aleah recommends the following next steps: