How to Choose a Great Medical Assistant School in New York

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a medical assistant, this could be the perfect time for it.  Demand for medical assistants is only growing, and it pays fairly well too, with entry-level salaries beginning above $30K per year.

A medical assistant (MA) is responsible for numerous tasks, such as:

• Working with patients and answering questions
• Taking vitals
• Preparing patients for procedures
• Sterilizing and storing instruments
• Administrative tasks, such as filing, or arranging appointments at partner clinics

Better yet, attending a medical assistant school in New York is much easier than actual medical school!  The requirements to become certified are much lower, and most people can finish their training in only 1-2 years.  That makes it one of the best possible ways to get your foot in the door in the medical field.

The big question is, which NY medical assistant school should you choose?  These are some of the most important factors to consider.

Six Critical Questions To Ask When Choosing A Medical Assistant School In New York

1 – Are they accredited?

Since certification standards in New York for MAs are quite low, your hire ability as a new graduate is going to largely depend on the reputation of the school you attend.

You want a school that has been fully accredited by recognized bodies such as the Accrediting Counsil for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).  In some cases, you might not even be allowed to sit for a certification test if your school wasn’t accredited by a respected body.

So, it’s absolutely vital to start out your search by focusing on schools that are accredited by ACCET, CAAHEP or ABHES.  If they aren’t, look elsewhere.

2 – What will it cost?

Becoming an MA is fairly demanding so costs for training are a factor – but it’s far less expensive than attending full medical school!  If you choose to attend a school that specializes in MA training, expect to pay several thousand dollars at a bare minimum.  Better schools will often charge more like $10K-$15K – and it’s usually worth it because they’ll carry more weight with your future employers.

Keep in mind, the starting salary for MAs is $30K per year, so the return on investment here is quite good.  This is one of the most affordable paths to get yourself into the medical field.

3 – What financial aid do they offer?

$10,000 is cheap compared to medical school, but that’s still a substantial amount of cash.  If you need financial assistance, there are options.  A good medical assistant school in New York will have a financial aid office and be able to talk you through your options.

It’s also worth filling out a FAFSA, the standard Federal application for all government-funded financial aid.  While most of this aid goes to people attending full colleges and universities, there is also financial aid available for vocational schools.

Finally, at the least, your school should offer payment plans that allow you to easily pay back the cost of schooling over time.

4 – What are their cancellation policies?

Never ‘sign on the dotted line’ with a medical assistant school until you’ve carefully read the legal documentation, particularly when it comes to cancelation.  Your agreement with the school is a legally binding document. So you don’t want to be caught off guard if something happens and you have to drop out.

These policies should be clearly spelled out on the school’s website, or in their enrollment documentation.  If you have any questions, be sure to ask someone at the school before you commit.

5 – How satisfied and successful are their students?

How is the school perceived by its students?  Hopefully, the MA schools you’re looking at will have testimonials from past graduates attesting to their quality.

Another important factor is the school’s retention and graduation rates.  That is, how many students drop out compared to how many graduate.  These numbers may be openly published on the school’s website – which is always a good sign – or you may need to contact the school directly to find out.

And if they don’t want to talk about the topic, or won’t give specific numbers, that’s a very bad sign.  Find a school that’s proud of their retention and graduation rates.

6 – Will they help you find a job after graduation?

Finally, look into what sort of job-placement services the school offers, or what other post-grad assistance they provide.  The best medical assistant schools in New York will be able to help you find a job after you graduate, such as offering a job board.

The better schools may even have direct contacts at various NY medical facilities and put in a good word for you.

Contact Our Medical Assistant School in New York Today

If you’re ready for an exciting career in medicine as a medical assistant, the Westchester School for Dental Assistants can help make it happen.  Contact our team now to learn more!