5 Easy Ways to Spot a Diploma Mill

Career Training News

You may not know this, but there are licensed schools that exist for the sole reason of giving academic diplomas to anyone who will pay for them. These types of schools are sometimes called “diploma mills” because they will award anyone a degree in practically anything for the right cost...

Full article:
5 Easy Ways to Spot a Diploma Mill « Career Training News

Warning: Diploma Mills!

When it comes to vocational training, especially online, awareness is the key to successs! If an online post-secondary training program, non-traditional university, or so-called virtual college attended is not legit students may be in for an unpleasant surprise.


Warning: Diploma Mills!!!

People in this day and age are always busy! The daily bump and grind, the hustle and bustle of modern life keeps them on the go and there is never enough time for anything, it seems, even family.

Of course, everybody who has goals in life knows that they need education and training to achieve them. However, busy people with full-time jobs, at-home moms, and those living in remote areas don't always have the time, or the resources to go back to school to begin their new career path. Instead, they seek out web-based courses that are held entirely online to supplement or continue their education, or complete vocational training.

Understandably, single parents, or those with limited transportation, or budgets are also very interested in learning from the convenience of their own home. Because of the tremendous growth in the healthcare industry many wouldn't think twice about taking a medical assisting, medical laboratory technology, and surgical technology programs held completely online.


When It Comes to Vocational Training!

However, when it comes to vocational training, especially in the healthcare industry where theory combined with hands on clinical skills are a must one must be reminded to think twice. If a website promises vocational training completely online to earn a diploma, or degree in just 6-8 weeks, or become a healthcare professional ready to hit the workforce without additional training, or an internship -- then consumer beware! Caution and awareness is always good poliyc to make the right choices when it comes to online education. Just because a program offers a certificate, diploma, or degree for a fee to join doesn't automatically mean it is the right program, or legit. And any job placement assistance that might have been promised may consist of nothing but a copy of doctors listed in the local area's Yellow Pages (if that much!)

This Is Not to Discourage Anybody!

Indeed, there are many excellent distance education programs offered online, including for healthcare professionals. Plenty of people have taken them and achieved great success. However, in their quest for higher education, or specialized vocational training an unaware consumer might encounter “diploma mills” — dubious providers of education that ends in certificates and degrees that are bogus, and "accreditation-mills" that are considered worthless.



Council of Higher Education Accreditation Warns about Diploma and Accreditation Mills!

Certificates from diploma mills aren't worth the effort, time, money, or the paper they are printed on. Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)specifically warns about diploma- and accreditation mills! See: http://www.chea.org/pdf/fact_sheet_6_diploma_mills.pdf

CHEA also published a monograph that describes the scope and impact of distance learning on higher education. It identifies the primary challenges that distance learning poses for accreditation and describes the thoughtful and comprehensive response to date of the accrediting community to assure quality in distance learning. See: http://www.chea.org/Research/Accred-Distance-5-9-02.pdf

One important aspect to consider when selecting an online learning program is the school's reputation. The school must be honest and credible in their dealings with the public, have a clean record and should be accredited and approved by the right organization!

The U.S. Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), the only agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a institutional and specialized accreditor for healthcare education and training says the same: Accreditation by ABHES signifies that the institution or program has met the eligibility criteria and evaluation standards of ABHES and complies with the policies and procedures for maintenance of accreditation as established by ABHES. See: http://www.abhes.org/


Awareness is the Key!

Although proper accreditation is one of a number of important considerations when selecting an education or training program, there also are legitimate institutions that offer vocational education programs that are NOT (yet) accredited; but they are at least licensed by their local Department of Education. These institutions go through a rigorous review process by a commission of state elected officials who verify that the school meets a set standard and criteria. Online courses are not accredited or approved by the board of education unless they truly meet or exceed established national standards. The application process for reviews and approval is tedious and lengthy! Only the best programs achieve accreditation. Institutions that went through the process and are approved will always have their program's accreditation status visibly posted on their Web site and online course catalogs.

It is the presence of a number of certain features taken together that should signal that this might be a “mill.” Web page advertisements that contain text, images, seals and any profound sounding designations to proclaim that a school and their programs are accredited may contain words such as approved, accredited, accreditation pending, authorized, chartered, licensed, empowered, sponsored, recognized and registered.

Web sites that feature such ads should be critically examined to determine whether these claims are merely common catch phrases, or the assertions are legit.

Those whose goal is proper vocational training to receive a much desired promotion, or to achieve educational goals that will allow them advance into a new position or career must graduate from courses that are licensed and recognized not just by any, but by the RIGHT organizations.



What are Things to Look for?

Use common sense!!! It is always a good idea, before joining an online program, to get in touch with the provider of the courses to ask questions. One should also contact the accrediting organization to find out whether a program is truly legitimately accredited by them. It's also a way to confirm the quality of the online training program. ABHES has put together a great resource of helpful links titled Allied Health & Career Education Resources for Post-Secondary Institutions on their website.



In Closing Some Final Advice!

Remember this: that online post-secondary training providers, non-traditional universities, and so called virtual colleges that offer distance learning programs have different licensing and accreditation standards than the traditional brick-and-mortar universities, colleges and vocational training institutions. They may be great courses for many but always make sure they meet your specific goals.

Another great article is at Wired News titled: Down by the Diploma Mills Stream.

© 2006 Danni R./Advanced Medical Assistant Custom Web Design, LLC.

Medical Assistant's Scope of Practice

I am sure everybody who reads this can relate to the concerns and questions medical assistants have, and the confusion that revolves around the medical assistant's scope of practice.

Not only are medical assistants confused, so are their employers, managers, and supervisors. They, too are not always 100% sure about what tasks can be assigned to the medical assistant without asking them to go beyond and above their scope of practice. Post after post in our medical assistant web forum proves this.


What's The Problem?
Medical assistants who don't know or disregard established professional standards and attempt to perform procedures or tasks beyond their training, capabilities, or scope of practice are in danger of exposing themselves, supervisors, and the medical office all together to serious consequences and possible liability issues.

What's the Consequence?
This is where most medical office supervisors immediately resort to drastic measures. The medical assistant is immediately suspended and dismissed without any further counseling or second chances. The fear of damaging their doctor's or medical office's reputation and the consequences of a malpractice law suit is overwhelming. Where so much is at stake, there just rarely are second chances given, especially when it comes to new staff members where trust has not yet been established.


Whose Responsibility Is It?
It must be said that when transgressions and disregards of what a medical assistant can and cannot do happen, it is not always the medical assistant's fault alone. EVERYBODY in the medical office must be sure they know their state's rules and regulations regarding the medical assistant's scope of practice. It is a shared responsibility shared among many that starts with the medical assistant's instructors, supervising physicians and health care practitioners, and office managers to know, and clearly delineate and communicate the medical assistant's role and responsibilities. And the buck does not stop there! Every working medical assistant must make it their own responsibility to know what the the rules are in their state.

Examples
For example, medical assistants are not allowed to make independent medical assessments (triage) or give medical advice at any time under any circumstances. Also many states mandate that anybody performing phlebotomy, ultrasound procedures, EKGs, or X-rays must have a specific licence to do so.

Medical assistants who draw blood in California and those who perform point of care testing in Georgia are also required to be certified. The latest issue and debates revolve around medical assistants starting and disconnecting IV lines or administering phototherapy in an UV booth to patients. Recently an unsuspecting medical assistant was reprimanded and suspended on the spot because of this confusion.

Last But Not Least a Tip:
Every working medical assistant and staff member in the medical office who is providing direct and indirect patient cares should make sure they have adequate malpractice and professional liability insurance coverage, because each one is responsible for his/her own negligent acts, since malpractice is defined as "the negligent act of a person with specialized training and education."

To learn more about educational requirements, and practical tips for handling emergencies, and proper documentation visit Medical Assistant Net on the Web. There is lots of additional "scope of practice for medical assistants" info at that web site.

New Medical Assistant Site

With vocational training so readily available everywhere, salaries climbing, working conditions improving, and the demand for medical assistants in all disciplines (clinical and administrative areas) on the rise, it’s a good time to enter into this exciting career.

Medical assisting is an interesting and rewarding occupation. Job training and career development programs prepare medical assistant students to work in a wide variety of health care environments including medical offices, clinics, laboratories, blood banks, state health facilities, and many more places where licensed health care practitioners need a helping hand.

If you want information about planning your medical assistant career along with brief articles about different avenues and requirements to enter into this rewarding career then you came to the right place. One website we highly recommend is the recently launched Medical Assistant Site. Individuals interested in the medical assistant career easily find all sorts of useful information, especially for those who want to dig deeper into the following topics of interest:

• Medical Assistant Pay
• Medical Assistant Job
• Medical Assistant Exam
• Medical Assisting Students
• Bridging the Gender Gap
• Medical Assistant Training Approaches
• Regional Educational Programs
• Programs that Lead to Certification
• Alternate Routes to Certify
• Medical Assistant Resume Worksheet
• Medical Assistant CEU

Another great feature of the site are a list of featured online schools to prepare for the medical assistant or medical coding and billing career where those who are too busy to attend traditional job training and career development programs on campus can learn and achieve their professional goals via online distance education from home.

To learn more about educational requirements, and practical tips for handling emergencies, and proper documentation visit Medical Assistant Net on the Web. There is lots of additional "scope of practice for medical assistants" info at that web site.

©2006 Advanced Medical Assistant Custom Web Design, LLC. All rights reserved.

Why Medical Assistant???

Medical assisting is an exciting and challenging program of study which prepares the student to work in a wide variety of health care environments including hospitals, physicians' offices, clinics, laboratories and state health facilities.

The medical assistant is an important link between the patient and the health care delivery system and provides essential support in the areas of patient care, medical and lab procedures, records management and office administration. Students will be exposed to practical administrative, interpersonal and clinical skills which will prepare them with the technical ability and versatility needed to establish careers in the field of allied health services.

Those who have worked in the profession for a few years often wonder if they should go on and become a nurse. Others continue in the medical assiting field for many, many years. Not because of the pay (there still is a big gap between the medical assistant's wages and that of a nurse), but because of the stong relationships they forge with the doctors and other health care staff and also with their patients, which almost always is a long term relationship. In a hospital it is more likely that doctors, nurses and patients come and go within a very short time! And although all health care occupations are very rewarding, nurses hardly ever know their patients as well as medical assistants do. Therefore it can be said, that being a medical assistant is NOT about the money, but about helping people and actively contributing to the local community.

Learn how you can become a medical assistant not far from you or even online. To learn more about educational requirements, and practical tips for handling emergencies, and proper documentation visit Medical Assistant Net on the Web. There is lots of additional "scope of practice for medical assistants" info at that web site.


``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
©2006 Advanced Medical Assistant Custom Web Design, LLC. All rights reserved.

What is a "Degree"?

The following question keeps popping up: "What is a degree?"

A degree is earned through a certain number of years of education from a college. Of course, before college comes high school. People who graduated from high school can further their education via traditional college education or distance education from online college courses.

Colleges and universities in the United States (USA) offer a four level approach to education which are:

1. Associate of Arts Degree (A.A., often via community colleges)
2. Bachelor's Degree (B.A., via traditional college, also called undergraduate degree)
3. Master's Degree (M.A., also referred to as graduate degree)
4. Doctorate Degree (Ph.D., the highest degree)


To sum it up in simple terms, the A.A. degree is the least rigorous. It takes about 2 years to get. Next comes the B.A. which can take up to 4-5 years to achieve. The M.A. is awarded to students who have obtained their bachelor's degree. It can take another 1-2 years after the B.A.! After that comes the doctorate degree, which is the highest degree awarded in the U.S. and takes the longest to achieve. It is the most rigorous and indepth of all other degrees.


Prospective college students should keep in mind that different colleges have different graduation requirements. Also their cost can differ greatly. And before embarking on any college degree program it's a good idea to also check on their college credit transfer policies and (as mentioned) their graduation requirements.

To see our top 10 featured onine schools that lead to allied health professional diplomas such as in clinical and administrative medical assisting, or medical coding and billing, and higher degrees in the health care arena visit Medical Assisting Career Schools!


To learn more about educational requirements, and practical tips for handling emergencies, and proper documentation visit Medical Assistant Net on the Web. There is lots of additional "scope of practice for medical assistants" info at that web site.

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
©2006 Advanced Medical Assistant Custom Web Design, LLC. All rights reserved.

Medical Assistant Diploma vs. Degree

Prospective medical assistant students often ask: "Is it better to have a medical assistant degree or is a medical assistant diploma good enough?"

From my experience, and many seasoned medical assistants agree, a medical assistant degree is not necessarily the key to better pay or faster promotions. Reality is, most doctors and practicing health care providers don't care whether their medical assistant has a degree or diploma. Their main concern is to have a medical assistant that can do the job well and pay only as much as they have to in wages.



If a medical assistant with a diploma can do the same job as their counterpart with a Medical Assisting Applied Sciences degree--either way, that's good enough for the doctor, however, a medical assistant with an associates degree in medical assisting has a definite advantage when it comes to continued studies into other top paying healthcare professional careers. Some of their earned college hour credits can be transferred and applied toward a higher or different degree in the future, such as, for example nursing (RN), or Health Care Management (HIM) and that is where the time and money spent on the degree will be well worth it!!!

So, now that you know the difference and advantages between going for a medical assistant diploma vs. a medical assistant degree it's also important learn details about benefits of voluntarily sitting for industry recognized medical assistant certifications.

Continue your research about qualified medical assistant training to earn a MA Diploma or AAS Degree to start your medical assistant career path on the right foot. To learn more about educational requirements, and practical tips for handling emergencies, and proper documentation visit Medical Assistant Net on the Web. There is lots of additional "scope of practice for medical assistants" info at that web site.

Tips From A Certified Medical Assistant

"The medical assisting discipline opens doors and offers MANY career advancement opportunities."





Lorraine On Licensure For Medical Assistants:

It doesn't take much more than a quick look around to see that although medical assistants may be well aware of their proficiency, skill levels and scope of practice, we are among the minority. Our patients may have an inkling that we're not all nurses but they don't quite know what our title or training is.

A glance at any nursing forum shows that aside from the nurses who work in outpatient or ambulatory care centers, most nurses don't have a clue. Comments like “ MAs can give injections???” are commonplace due simply to lack of knowledge of the MA’s role and scope of practice on the part of the posters.

Add to this confusion the commercials for MA schools that depict the medical assistant racing down the hospital corridor beside a gurney, as if she’s rushing someone into the ER, and it’s no wonder there’s so much confusion. Since there are no “hard and fast” requirements for becoming a MA, there is naturally a huge disparity in regards to MA education and skill levels.

Yes, one CAN have absolutely no medical education what-so-ever and be hired as a MA with “on the job training”. While most of us would agree that this is not the ideal scenario, there are in most states no regulations to prevent this from happening. I wouldn't take my computer to be repaired by someone who wasn't certified in that field but we expect the public and medical community to accept our capabilities without question? I believe this is a major stumbling block for MA's in their quest to being considered part of the professional medical field. How can we get the respect we deserve if there are no “standards” in our profession?

I work in a very busy family practice. Out of six medical assistants, I am the only one certified in any way. This is not to say that I am any more qualified than anyone else that I work with. In fact, the girls I work with have been in the field for many years and I seek their advice daily. Most of them HAVE been certified by some organization and have simply let that certification
lapse. In reality, what’s the point of keeping a certification up if it...

a.) is not required
b.) has no relevant bearing on your status or income

In an updated version of an article originally published in 1996, (see article),it is noted that only seven states (Arizona, California, Florida, New Jersey, Maryland,South Dakota and Washington) have specific regulations pertaining the scope of practice of MA's. In most instances, the MA is permitted to perform any technical procedure not prohibited elsewhere by law as long as the supervising physician deems the MA qualified and properly trained to perform.
There also seems to be no standard as far as medical assisting schools goes. Unless a school wants to be accredited by a certain agency (ABHES, CAAHEP, etc.) there are no guidelines required as to curriculum, classroom hours and so on.

This creates quite a conundrum for medical assistants. If we decide we want a specific scope of practice, it may actually narrow a pretty broad scope of practice that many of us now have. Also, if we decide we want specific standards by the way of licensure, we will open ourselves up to the liability issues that go along with that. Instead of working under a physicians license as we do now, we'll be working under our own. As it stands, we have no one to be accountable to. You can't take away something (certification) that’s voluntary to start with. Well, you can, but what does it matter if you don't really need it to work in the field?

Despite the above reservations, I still feel that mandatory licensure, along with standardized educational requirements is the only way for the medical assistant to gain widespread acceptance and respect. Perhaps then, medical assistants would be welcomed by the rest of the medical community as the highly valued professionals we know we are.

Lorraine CMA, CNA


``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
©2006 Advanced Medical Assistant Custom Web Design, LLC. All rights reserved.

Medical Assisting Career

MA (medical assistant) is a highly rewarding and interesting health career to go into... with opportunities to go into phlebotomy, to medical billing and coding, to medical illustrator, to medical translator.

Medical assisting is best described as interesting, challenging, and highly rewarding. In addtition there are many other related allied health professions that medical assistants may find attractive and worth taking a closer look into. Many experienced medical assisatant elect to crosstrain or transition into these related fields they move on and up the career ladder. Some of them may combine their practical knowledge with their creative skills and become a medical illustrator, freelance copywriter, author, or educator.

Others may apply their talents in areas such as medical transcription, medical coding and billing, phlebotomy, or as medical translators.

Hot careers are:
Medical AssistantMedical Billing and Coding Specialist

• Hemodialysis Technician
• Ultrasound/Sonography Technician
• Pharmacology Technician
• Phlebotomist
• Physical Therapy Aides
• Medical Transcriptionist
• RN, LPN, LVN

To learn more about educational requirements, and practical tips for handling emergencies, and proper documentation visit Medical Assistant Net on the Web. There is lots of additional "scope of practice for medical assistants" info at that web site.

Diploma Mills and Accreditation

Diploma Mills and Accreditation - Diploma Mills:

What is a diploma mill?

The dictionary defines a diploma mill as:

An institution of higher education operating without supervision of a state or professional agency and granting diplomas which are either fraudulent or because of the lack of proper standards worthless. - Webster's Third New International Dictionary

Important: The Better Business Bureau suggests you watch for the following features and regard them as red flags when considering whether or not to enroll in a school:

* Degrees that can be earned in less time than at an accredited postsecondary institution, an example would be earning a Bachelor's degree in a few months.

* A list of accrediting agencies that sounds a little too impressive. Often, these schools will list accreditation by organizations that are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (the two reputable organizations that recognize accrediting agencies). These schools will also imply official approval by mentioning state registration or licensing.

* Offers that place unrealistic emphasis on offering college credits for lifetime or real world experience.

* Tuition paid on a per-degree basis, or discounts for enrolling in multiple degree programs. Accredited institutions charge by credit hours, course, or semester.

* Little or no interaction with professors.

* Names that are similar to well known reputable universities.

* Addresses that are box numbers or suites. That campus may very well be a mail drop box or someone's attic.


With the increase in the availability of earning degrees online there has been an increase in diploma mills. Diploma mills often use the Internet to market their programs. Diploma mills often promise degrees for a fee in a few short days or months.

Note: Not all online degree programs are diploma mills. Do your homework and research schools that you are interested in attending.

If you have doubts, contact your Better Business Bureau or state attorney general's office to make sure the school is operating legally in a state and to see if anyone has filed a complaint.

Remember: A bogus degree from a diploma mill is not likely to impress prospective employers and could be a complete waste of money. Today many employers are requiring degrees from legitimately accredited institutions. Federal agencies are being directed by the federal government's Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to verify the legitimacy of an applicant's degree(s). According to OPM, "there is no place in Federal employment for degrees or credentials from diploma mills."

To learn more about educational requirements, and practical tips for handling emergencies, and proper documentation visit Medical Assistant Net on the Web. There is lots of additional "scope of practice for medical assistants" info at that web site.
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
©2006 Advanced Medical Assistant Custom Web Design, LLC. All rights reserved.

Accreditation in the United States

Database of Accredited Programs and Institutions

The Department of Education is making available a searchable database of postsecondary institutions and programs accredited by accrediting agencies or state approval agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. This database includes approximately 6,900 postsecondary educational institutions and programs.
The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes those agencies determined to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. Accreditation of an institution or program by a recognized accrediting agency provides a reasonable assurance of quality and acceptance by employers of diplomas and degrees.

Fake Accrediting Agencies

Diploma mills often claim accreditation by a fake accrediting agency to attract more students to their degree programs and make them seem more legitimate. Because diploma mills aren't accredited by a nationally recognized agency, you will not find the institution's accrediting agency on the U.S. Department of Education's List of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation's (CHEA) List of Participating and Recognized Organizations.

College Accreditation in the United States-- Pg 4



To learn more about educational requirements, and practical tips for handling emergencies, and proper documentation visit Medical Assistant Net on the Web. There is lots of additional "scope of practice for medical assistants" info at that web site..
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
©2006 Advanced Medical Assistant Custom Web Design, LLC. All rights reserved.

Online Medical Assistant Programs

Subject: Online MA Programs
Name: Lisa
Date Posted: Feb 9, 06 - 6:30 PM
Credential or Professional Title: CNA




Message:
Hello my name is Lisa and I was wondering if anyone knows about 100% online training programs. I am thinking of a college in CA and I live in MN. I checked out the website, accreditations, finacial aid office, and even spoke to a addmissions counselor. Everything is great but I am bit unsure if I can do all the hands on part online. My externship will be 10 weeks long and that is where I will get my hands on training. I would like some feed back on this info. My class starts next week!!!! Thanks Lisa


Re: Online MA Programs
Name: Tracy
Date Posted: Feb 9, 06 - 6:47 PM
Credential or Professional Title: CMA/ RMA/ CNA

Message:
I don't see how you can do it completely online. How can you learn venipuncture? Dressing changes, EKG's injections, without practicing on a real person? I can see the theory courses being online, but not the clinical portion.
Tracy

---

Just remember: online training providers, non-traditional universities, and so called virtual colleges that offer distance learning programs have different accreditation standards than brick-and-mortar universities, colleges, and vocational training institutions. They may be great courses for many but always make sure they meet your specific goals!

Use Common Sense!
It is always prudent before joining any online programs to get in touch with the provider of the courses to ask questions. One should also contact the accrediting organization to find out whether a program is truly legitimately accredited by them, and to confirm the quality of the online training courses.

Online Programs:
One important aspect to consider when selecting an online learning program is the school's reputation. The school must be honest and credible in their dealings with the public, have a clean record, and should be accredited and approved by the right organization!

Online courses are seldom accredited, or approved by the board of education and unless they truly have met or exceed established national standards. The application process for reviews and approval is tedious and lengthy. Only the best achieve accreditation!

Those institutions who went through the process and are approved will always have their program's accreditation status visibly posted on their Web site and online course catalogs.

Awareness is the Key!
It is the presence of a number of certain features taken together that should signal to students that they may be dealing with a “mill.”

Web page advertisements that contain text, images, seals, and any profound sounding designations to proclaim that a school and their programs are accredited may contain words such as approved, accredited, accreditation pending, authorized, chartered, licensed, empowered, sponsored, recognized, and registered. Web sites that feature such ads should be critically examined to determine whether these claims are merely common catch phrases, or the assertions are legit.

Those whose goal is proper vocational training to receive a much desired promotion, or to achieve educational goals that will allow them advance into a new position or career must graduate from courses that are accredited not just by any, but by the RIGHT organization.

To learn more about educational requirements, and practical tips for handling emergencies, and proper documentation visit Medical Assistant Net on the Web. There is lots of additional "scope of practice for medical assistants" info at that web site.

Does St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants Uphold Honesty?

Biting The Hand... It is no secret that St. Augustine Medical Assistant School aka St. Augustine Educational Services, which offers online education for medical assistants, has regarded our medical assistant websites as a reliable source for ideas and guidance regarding the latest trends in the medical assistant profession, training, and education.

In 2003 St. Augustine Medical Assistant School contacted us via email for support and advise, however we declined their request to form an advertising partnership with Certmedassistant.com and MedicalAssistant.net.

Unfortunately in September of 2005 we found out that the Augustine Medical Assistant School/St. Augustine Educational Service's website featured content that belonged to us. Entire paragraphs and images were lifted off our MedicalAssistant.net and published to one of their sites without our prior knowledge and permission.

We reported their site for violations of ISP's Terms of Service TOS and intellectual property rights violations/copyright infringement and as a result, the St. Augustine Educational Service's Web site was shut down temporarily by their webhosting firm as a result.

A person, who called himself Dr. Jeff Andrews retalliated by contacting our media partners under false pretense questioning our affiliation with them to pry into our business. At the same time, anonymous emails of dubious nature were forwarded to us with threads that our website will be reported to the FCC! We consulted with our copyrights attorney Fierst, Pucci & Kinder Law Firm to find out how we can protect our business and websites against such shameless threats and insidious actions.

While St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants SRSPsych@aol.com denied any knowledge or affiliation of Dr. Jeff Andrews at drjeffandrews@yahoo.com a recent entry in St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants Blog confirms that Dr. Jeff Andrews is indeed directly affiliated with St. Augustine Medical Assistant School where he, according to them, functions as one of their new Medical Assistant faculty advisors.

Where a business resorts to such underhanded actions, it comes as no surprise that we never will allow St. Augustine Medical Assistant School/St. Augustine Educational Services advertising, which includes their AdWord Google ads, on ANY of our websites! Neither will we ever recommend their programs to any medical assistants looking for online learning opportunities. This is  just our stance... but wait! There is more.

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants Victim Complaints

Those who are as little as just thinking about giving their program a try are HIGHLY encouraged to look up St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants rating on the Better Business Bureau Website. It pays to take the time to do so. There also have been complaints filed with the Rip-Off Reports website, an online service by consumers for consumers. 

One person, who posted her complaint under the name Hobby of Oakland, Michigan writes:

"I signed up with this school thinking that I can start a new career in the health field, but I found that the school is a total failure.... I tried to email them for some information and they didn't answer. Then I send them a letter through the mail and the letter came back saying the company moved. Then I send a letter to the BBB so they can send the school a letter, so I can get my money back, but the BBB got nowhere."

Rachelle, who calls herself a victim of St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants writes:

"Due to an online search, I found this company as a "certified" online organization that offered a "certification" program for Nursing Assistant... There are several non-satisfactory reports from consumers already, and there is no legitimate address for these services-despite the address that is given on their online website (which has apparently changed three times already). This company is ripping people off around the country. I have been one of those victims."

Mike, in his complaint about St. Augustine Educational Services writes:

"Even when you complete all coursework and final exam you aren't certified. You can't get a job after going here, you still have to find your own internship and do your own clinicals. You might have the knowledge, but you're not certified. It sounds too good to be true, and it is. Stick with going to school."

Indeed.com Peer-To-Peer Discussion About St. Augustine's Medical Assistant School

Another useful peer-to-peer discussion about St. Augustine's Medical Assistant School is taking place on the Indeed Medical Assistant Jobs Forum; check out what other people say about St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants.

Succeeding In An Externship

Some people aren't familiar with the term externship. Your externship is the final step of your medical assisting training. An externship has to do with YOU! It means you finally get a chance to put everything learned in the classroom to use, dealing with actual patients and medical professionals in an actual medical office environment. Although many students have some apprehension about beginning the externship, once there they find it to be a very rewarding experience.

Usually the teaching staff where you receive your medical assisting training makes all necessary arrangements to set you up with a suitable externship site. Usually, a medical assisting education program must provide its students with an externship experience of at least 160 hours. The school has an already established contact list of possible externship sites. Sometimes you get to submit your "dream, or wish list" where you can name a couple offices or specialties that you would really love to do. At my school, for example, to be sent to attend to patient's needs at the local medical center's day stay program, or dialysis was highly desired. The externship is an important part of the transition from student to qualified medical assistant.

Shortly before it is time to begin the externship, you may be asked to interview with the physician or office manager at the facility. Treat this interview exactly as if it were an actual job interview. Dress appropriately and professionally, and always take a resume, even if the school has forwarded one to the clinic. Compile a list of all the addresses, telephone numbers, and names of the supervisors and businesses you have previously worked for. Do not appear unprepared by having to ask for a phone book to look up information if asked to complete an application for employment. Once a good match is determined, a date will be set for the externship to begin.

The externship is designed for several purposes. You expected to perform duties that were learned in school, as well as to learn and refine new skills that are taught by the medical office staff. The ability to perform is important, but equally of value is your ability to be a good team member. You must use appropriate interpersonal skills, have a professional appearance, and display a good attitude. The externship gives you the opportunity to prove your dependability. Attendance and punctuality are indicators of reliability and dependability. You must be willing to help with the smaller duties, like pulling and filing patient's charts, and sometimes answer the phones, as well as the more critical ones, like assisting with patient intake and doing basic clinical procedures.

Remember, while performing the externship, you are a guest at the facility, and will be expected to follow the same office policies that the employees do. It is recommended that you read the office policy handbook during the first few days and note any memos on the bulletin boards. Also, make sure you know how to locate emergency equipment, emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and emergency telephone numbers.

As with any new employee, you may be given the simpler duties on the first few days of the externship so that an evaluation can be made as to whether you can follow simple directions and work efficiently. However, the duties and responsibilities should increase in importance as the externship progresses. If not, you should speak with the externship supervisor to determine if there is a reason why more responsibility is not being offered. It is important that you be able to accept constructive criticism and change any habits that might be unacceptable on the externship site. Once people in charge of you are confident of your abilities to perform certain tasks, they will let you do them without asking, so, make it your goal to observe, learn all you can about unfamiliar procedures, and ultimately, perform certain tasks without being asked!

You must wear appropriate work attire, such as a uniform that identifies you as a student, or our own scrubs, wearing an identification badge. Medical assistants are expected to have a neat, clean, professional appearance. Do not gossip, complain, interrupt, or insist that the office is performing a skill differently than you learned in school. You should not have excessive personal phone calls on the site. If there are problems on the externship, you should first speak to the site supervisor, and if no resolution is obtained, the school supervisor should be involved. You must learn to communicate with supervisors and not allow problems to go unresolved. You should not ask or expect the physician to treat you or your family if an illness should occur during the externship period. Do not expect or ask the physician to dispense any medications from the office. Also remember that confidentiality guidelines apply to the externship student. No information regarding a patient should be discussed outside the office for any reason.

By following professional guidelines and being willing to learn, you will find the externship to be a positive learning experience. Remember, the externship will in most cases be the first job reference in the medical field, so do a good job! Be sure to leave a few copies of your resume with the externship office so that if job opportunities arise later, or if the staff is aware of a position in another facility, they will be able to pass your resume along and assist you in the job search process. It is acceptable to ask for a letter of reference from the externship site supervisor or physician. Be sure to send the externship office a "thank you" note for allowing the externship in their facility. This makes a good impression and will express your appreciation for the opportunity to learn in the facility. By adhering to these suggestions, you will find the externship experience to be one of great value.

Now, the time has come to find a job! Good luck!
======================================
To learn more about educational requirements, and practical tips for handling emergencies, and proper documentation visit Medical Assistant Net on the Web. There is lots of additional "scope of practice for medical assistants" info at that web site.