If you're looking to become a medical assistant, you're heading in the right direction.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of medical assisting is expected to grow at a rate of 29 percent, which is much faster than average.  Although there are a number of trade schools offering programs in medical assisting, it's important for you to make the right choice so you can receive the best training possible.  When you're looking to embark on your new career, use this information to learn more about what to look for in a medical assistant program.

Find Out How Many Students Passed The CMA Examination

One of the most vital things for you to find out when checking out prospective schools is the number of students who successfully passed the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.  This is critical, because you don't want to dedicate long hours of study, only to take the test and fail because you were poorly prepared. 

When you're talking with the admissions department, ask them to show you the data surrounding how many attempts the students had to make in order to pass the CMA test.  If there seems to be a large number of enrollees who had to take the test multiple times, you may want to consider other schools so that the investment of your time and tuition won't be in vain.

Make The Sure The Program Is The Right One

Another thing to consider when choosing which school to obtain your medical assistant training is whether the school offers a certificate or an Associate's degree in the field.  This is key, since the type of certificate or degree that you get could affect the opportunities that you are presented with after graduation.

For example, if you get the associate's degree in medical assisting, it should be relatively easy for you to use this degree as the foundation for getting your bachelor's.  If you opt for the certificate, it may take you longer to obtain the bachelor's degree because you would have missed out on the chance to take many of the liberal arts classes that are a core part of the curriculum for many bachelor's degrees in the medical field.

Selecting the right medical assistant program now can save you a great deal of time in the future.  Get ready for a great new line of work by using these tips to find the school that will be perfect for you.