Bertha Said:

Medical assistant programs advice?

We Answered:

Unfortunately, there aren't supposed to be too many jobs for the MA (or medical biller or coder) despite what those private $$ tech schools say. With the numerous training programs, the field is saturated with those looking for work.

If still wanting to get training, please opt for the more affordable county vo-tech school or community college as long as it's accredited within the industry.

Please steer clear of those online, for-profit schools (some have 'bricks and mortar' buildings and are even 'accredited') such as penn foster, capella, university of phoenix, US career, sanford brown, devry, stratford career, ashworth, everest, ITT tech, walden, kaplan, argosy, colorado tech and others as they are merely out to 'make a profit' (and course credits may not transfer): http://www.ripoffreport.com and can type into search.

US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ

Gary Said:

Dental assistant/medical assistant programs on Long Island?

We Answered:

Just a word to the wise regarding the MA field that, unfortunately, there aren't supposed to be too many jobs available (or with medical billing or coding) despite what those private $$ tech schools say. I'm not sure about the job availability for dental assisting though. If interested in either field, please consider the more affordable county vo-tech school or community college as long as it's accredited within the industry.

For general career info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and can type into search.

The 'american dental association' has a listing of their accredited programs: http://www.ada.org and one may click 'careers in dentistry' or such. Please do shadow a DA or someone in any field before embarking on signing up for schooling. Any local school that offers DA may have textbooks too in the school library that one may want to look through and kind of get a feel for if working with those with gum disease or really "sick" teeth may be for them.

For US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ

Everett Said:

medical assistant programs?

We Answered:

take the cna course .Go through the red cross.

Eduardo Said:

Washington Medical Assistant Programs?

We Answered:

You can find accredited MA programs here: http://caahep.org/Find-An-Accredited-Pro…

Donald Said:

Which has more competitive admissions: medical school or physician assistant programs?

We Answered:

I'm not sure about the stats for PA school, but I can't imagine it's more competitive than medical school, as currently almost 60% of people who apply to medical school each year don't get in *anywhere*.

I'd recommend basing your decision not on what is more competitive, but rather which career you prefer. While there are many similarities between being a physician and a physician's assistant, there are major differences. Do you want to have independence and autonomy in making your decisions, or do you prefer to defer to someone else? Does the idea of taking on the responsibility of a doctor appeal to you or discourage you?

At least from the MD perspective, being a PA is similar to being an intern for the rest of your life (and intern year is considered to be the most miserable year of an MD's training as you have a huge workload but have to have most of your medical decisions confirmed by someone else, and your thoughts/plans are often overruled by the supervising MD). But I know PAs who absolutely love what they do, and don't want autonomy (or find comfort in that ultimately the decision is someone else's).

Both are great career choices, it's just a matter of which is a better fit for your personality and goals.

Laurie Said:

Are there any trusted online medical assistant programs?

We Answered:

Honey don't even think of wasting your time. All you will do is waste money. Registered Medical Assistants are the only ones who have a chance at getting a job right now..and even THEY are complaining about being out of work. The market is saturated with Medical Assistants. If anything...sell stuff on eBay and stay home with the little one. But please, save the money and the heartache. You have a baby and I hate to see you waste your much needed money.

If you don't believe me, look on indeed.com and browse their forum section. Search "medical assisting"....you'll see.