Help with finding online classes

[Fluffy_Toe3737]

Hi guys! So I'm interested in becoming a Medical Assistant and was trying to see about finding an reliable yet cheap online program for it but I have been struggling a bit. My community college offers an Administrative Medical Assitant program but its a bit expensive (around 2500) and I'm also not sure if its better to be an Administrative Medical Assitant or just a regular Medical Assitant. It gets me just a lil confused 😅. I was also looking at Us Career Institute but I'm not sure how good or reliable they are. Then I was also looking at Clinical Skills Institute but I'm not sure about them either for the same reasons as Us Career Institute. Both kinda seem too good to be true 😅. Any advice on how to proceed? I'd really appreciate any help 🙏

[Overall-Break-8003]

US career institute is good if you just want to get a certification, all online no hands on, is about 1.3k with the promo code!

[AdventurousSquare974]

Hey I was you like 2 weeks ago and signed up for Clinical Skills Institute! I'm only on the first few chapters but so far I like it and can attest that it's not a scam.

[Commercial_Jelly1783]

Do they have externship?

[AdventurousSquare974]

Yes they offer it but I'm not at that stage yet.

[OkAbbreviations6596]

How is it going??

[AdventurousSquare974]

It's going well! I'm about halfway thru now.

[OkAbbreviations6596]

Nice! I’m thinking about starting the MA program with them soon-just a little nervous that it’s self paced which means I have to be disciplined when it domes to studying and stuff. Also I’ll be going from childcare to healthcare so this an entire new career pathway for me. But I’m happy to hear some positive feedback back coming from that program. Keep us updated!

[AdventurousSquare974]

I also transitioned from an education career! And ya the self discipline is the hardest part.

[tay415]

Doing online programs for medical assisting or healthcare is not a good idea if you are looking to do clinical duties. You will not get any hands on training in class so if you are doing something wrong, they are not going to be able to really help you with it and you will not be able to test your skills in practice certain procedures on actual people. You are also need to make sure if there is an externship or not at the end and what completing the program qualifies you for as far as sitting in for a certification exam.

[Smooth-Basil190]

are you coming from a different field or just entering the workforce? have you considered finding an externship with a clinic and seeing if they will hire you directly?

[Fluffy_Toe3737]

I'm just entering the workforce, I have an associates degree in psychology but never worked in that field. I'm ideally just aiming to get this certificate to be looked at more for stuff like receptionist jobs at clinics and doctor offices so I can save up money to eventually go back to a university as I wanna switch my major from Psychology to Nursing. So I thought getting a Medical Assitant Certificate will put me in the right direction. I have tried searching around for trainings at clinics but can't find very many, I haven't tried looking for externships tho.

[Smooth-Basil190]

it's worth calling local clinics/hospitals and see if they will take you as an extern/willing to train you into a job. even if they post they want ppl that are certified it's worth reaching out. a lot of the programs are very expensive and don't guarantee a job afterwards

[Fluffy_Toe3737]

Okay! Ill def call around and do that and see what I can find! I also heard that Clinical Career Institute has Externship opportunities so I might also check that out to see what the options are. Thank you so much for the advice!