Vera Said:

Are all those TV ads for going for a medical education such medical assistant and such reliable?

We Answered:

Another thing to consider is that the schools on TV do not let you transfer credits to real colleges or vice versa. I learned this the hard way. The schools on tv can cost you around $17,000 while the college course can be around $4,000 and you can get pell grants and financial aid. Then if you want to move up to another degree or field of study you can use the college credits you already have. I started off in one of those tv schools and all we did is watch movies and the education was a joke!

Ben Said:

Where can I get a quality education & earn a medical assistant degree in a short period of time in Chicago?

We Answered:

Depends on how much pre-requisite work you have already. If none- then you need to fulfill the most basic pre-requisites, just to qualify for MA pre-requisites! Your timeframe of 8-11 months, should actually be about two years- if you're going into this field cold.

Zachary Said:

What education is needed for a medical assistant?

We Answered:

Vocational-technical schools and community and junior colleges offer formal programs in medical assistant training. Programs are usually a year long and courses cover:

* anatomy
* physiology
* medical terminology
* office practices
* insurance processing
* lab techniques
* clinical and diagnostic procedures
* first aid

This is projected to be the fastest growing career between 2002 and 2012 by the Department of Labor. Job prospects are best for certified medical assistants.

Joyce Said:

What are the differences between a LPN and a Certified/Registered Medical Assistant in DUTIES not education?

We Answered:

like here at this Psychiatric Hospital I work at LPN Cannot Order for a Patient to be put in Restraints or go to Time Out.

Lawrence Said:

EMT, Paramedic, Surgical Tech, EKG Tech, Medical Assistant education help for Physician Assistant School?

We Answered:

The EKG, and nurses aid probably would not be very useful, compared to the others. Paramedic would be great but that's a pretty long & intense course for something you don't really want to do (and not fair to take a scare position from someone who wants to be a paramedic). Surg tech & MA would be useful given the skills (MA more so); EMT program is pretty light. on material learned & there are really no skills taught. From all these, I would recommend the MA.

Addendum: This person is trying to get into PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT school NOT nursing & not physical therapy. MA schooling affords the greatest skill set that a PA can use (and I KNOW what I am talking about here!!!!). The things a CNA does are just not that useful for PA school, sorry, but true, as a PA will not be doing much nursing skills A MA learns to draw blood, bandage, irrigate ears & eyes, set up sterile trays, take vital signs, give meds, give shots, TB tests, simple lab tests (Hgb & UA etc), remove sutures, set up suture trays & wound care, and much more. The CNA does not learn this stuff & this is what you would do more of as a PA.

Honestly what is with the thumbs down?? I am the only PA answering the question & I am giving my opinion based upon I went to PA school AND a PA residency! (BTW/I do draw blood & I do set up all my own trays)