Question 1

How often do you need to renew your CCMA certification?

Accepted Answer

You need to renew your CCMA certification every two years by completing continuing education requirements and submitting proof of your credits to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), or re-taking the certification exam.

Question 2

Can you work as a medical assistant without certification?

Accepted Answer

Not every state requires that medical assistants be certified. However, certification can improve job prospects, increase earning potential, and enhance career advancement opportunities. Many employers prefer or require certification, especially for roles involving clinical duties, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and professionalism.

Question 3

Is a CCMA the same as a CMA (Certified Medical Assistant)?

Accepted Answer

No. The key difference between a Certified Medical Assistant and a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant lies in their focus and responsibilities. While both are trained in clinical and administrative tasks, CMAs have a broader skill set that includes medical billing, scheduling, and patient record management. In contrast, CCMAs concentrate more on direct patient care, including tasks like taking vital signs, administering injections, and assisting with medical procedures.

Question 4

How long does it take to become a CCMA?

Accepted Answer

This depends on your prior experience and level of education. For those who enroll in an accredited medical assisting program, it typically takes anywhere from several months to two years to complete. If you have previous healthcare experience or equivalent on-the-job training, you may be eligible to take the exam sooner. The certification process also includes preparation time for the exam, which can vary depending on your study plan.

Question 5

How long are clinical shifts for nursing students?

Accepted Answer

The shifts you work as part of your clinical rotations are scheduled to mimic the working hours of practicing nurses, and can be anywhere from 4 to 12 hours in length.
Gaining clinical experience is foundational to a career in nursing. Whether you’re just starting your journey or preparing for nursing school, the right training can set you up for success. At Advanced eClinical, our pre-nursing certification programs provide the hands-on experience and depth of knowledge you need to excel in clinical settings and make your nursing school application stand out.

Question 6

How many clinical hours do I need for nursing school?

Accepted Answer

The number of hours you’ll complete as part of your clinical rotations will depend on the type of degree you’re working toward. Exact hour amounts will vary depending on the program, but you can typically expect the following:

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): At least 400 clinical hours
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Between 400 and 700 hours
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Ranges from 600 to 1,300 clinical hours

Question 7

Do I need clinical experience to get into nursing programs?

Accepted Answer

Clinical experience hours aren’t typically required for admission to a nursing program. However, for schools that don’t require it, having clinical experience on your resume can make your application stand out to admissions committees.

Question 8

What is clinical experience in nursing?

Accepted Answer

There are 2 types of clinical experience in nursing. The first refers to experience gained by pre-nursing students in order to enhance their nursing school applications. This type of clinical experience is typically gained through shadowing, volunteering, or working in an entry-level healthcare role. The second type is gained during clinical rotations, which are nursing shifts that students enrolled in a nursing program work under the supervision of a clinical instructor. Nursing “clinicals” are a part of the curriculum and completion is required for graduation.

Question 9

Where can I find clinical experience opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Utilizing your college or university’s career center or dedicated pre-health advising office, leveraging your connections (e.g. with professors and alumni), inquiring directly at medical facilities, making use of online job boards and healthcare-specific career resources, and pursuing certification programs with externship opportunities are all techniques you can use to find the clinical experience opportunities you need.

Question 10

How many hours of clinical experience do I need to get into graduate programs?

Accepted Answer

The number of hours you’ll need depends on the field you hope to enter and the program you apply to. For example, medical schools typically look for 150–200 hours, physician assistant programs require between 1,000 and 2,000+ hours, and dental schools prioritize applicants with 100–200 hours. That said, it’s always best to confirm hours requirements for each program you’re considering.

Question 11

What are some ways to get clinical experience?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways for aspiring healthcare professionals to accrue the clinical hours they need, including by shadowing healthcare providers, volunteering at medical facilities, participating in internship programs, or working in entry-level healthcare roles.

Question 12

Why do I need clinical experience?

Accepted Answer

Clinical experience is how pre-health students develop the practical skills needed for a career in healthcare and get firsthand insight into the medical field. It’s also a common prerequisite for graduate-level degree programs, such as medical school, PA school, and dental school.

Question 13

What is clinical experience?

Accepted Answer

For pre-health students, clinical experience refers to direct, practical exposure to patient care environments, which is often gained by shadowing physicians, volunteering in hospitals or clinics, or working in entry-level healthcare roles.

Question 14

Why is research important for medical school?

Accepted Answer

Taking part in research opportunities can help your application stand out and make you a more competitive candidate.

Question 15

What are the best research opportunities for pre-med students?

Accepted Answer

Examples of research opportunities for pre-med students include basic scientific research, clinical research, public health policy research, narrative medicine research, and AI research. Opportunities can either be in-person or virtual.

Question 16

What counts as research hours for med school?

Accepted Answer

Any type of research opportunity related to healthcare or medicine qualifies. Admissions committees are more interested in seeing a demonstrated commitment to your research projects versus the type of research you conducted.

Question 17

What’s the average number of research hours for med school applicants?

Accepted Answer

Some students accumulate hundreds — or even thousands — of research hours throughout their undergraduate years. Ultimately, the number of research hours you’ll need depends on your goals and the programs you plan to apply to, with research-intensive or dual-degree programs requiring more hours and tangible accomplishments to stand out.

Question 18

How many research hours do I need for medical school?

Accepted Answer

There is no formal hours requirement for medical school admissions. However, many successful applicants invest time into research opportunities to strengthen their applications and demonstrate their interest in and commitment to the medical field.

Question 19

Where can I earn patient care experience hours?

Accepted Answer

PCE hours are earned by working in clinical environments, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and community health clinics.

Question 20

How many patient care hours do I need to get into a PA program?

Accepted Answer

PCE hours requirements vary between individual PA programs, which is why it’s crucial to research the hour minimums for each school you apply to. To position yourself as a competitive candidate, exceeding these minimums is a must.

Question 21

What’s the difference between patient care experience and healthcare experience?

Accepted Answer

Patient care experience involves working in roles that have direct contact with patients while healthcare experience encompasses roles that support healthcare providers without administering direct patient care.

Question 22

What doesn’t count as patient care experience?

Accepted Answer

Roles that don’t qualify toward PCE requirements for PA school are ones that don’t include clinical exposure to patients. Some examples include administrative healthcare positions, non-clinical research roles, retail pharmacy work, fitness training, and hospice counseling.

Question 23

What counts as patient care experience for PA school?

Accepted Answer

To count as PCE, there needs to be direct, hands-on patient interaction. Roles that count toward PCE requirements typically include medical assistant, EKG technician, patient care technician, EMT, and phlebotomist.

Question 24

How do I find shadowing opportunities?

Accepted Answer

You can start by reaching out directly to physicians or healthcare providers in your area. You can also contact your school&#8217;s pre-health advising office, as they may have connections to shadowing programs or local doctors. Additionally, consider volunteering at local hospitals or clinics, where you may be able to shadow healthcare professionals while gaining hands-on experience.

Question 25

What’s the best way to get clinical experience if I go to school or work full-time?

Accepted Answer

Working or going to school full time and earning clinical experience is possible with careful planning and flexibility. You can look for roles that fit your schedule, volunteer on nights and weekends, and consider remote learning opportunities. Instead of just trying to accumulate as many hours as possible, focus on gaining quality experience in roles that provide meaningful patient interaction.

Question 26

How many clinical experience hours do I need for medical school?

Accepted Answer

While there’s no set number of clinical hours required for medical school, competitive applications typically include at least 150–200 hours of meaningful, hands-on work.

Question 27

What doesn’t qualify as clinical experience?

Accepted Answer

While still valuable in their own regard, administrative roles, positions without patient interaction, sales jobs, and any positions that don&#8217;t involve medical know-how do not count toward clinical experience hours.

Question 28

What counts as clinical experience?

Accepted Answer

Clinical experience involves meaningful interactions with patients or active roles in healthcare settings, allowing you to gain insights into the realities of the industry.

Question 29

What is the CCMA exam?

Accepted Answer

The CCMA exam is a 180-question test that you must take and pass in order to become a certified medical assistant. It is designed to assess competency across seven main categories: Foundational knowledge and basic science, anatomy and physiology, clinical patient care, patient care coordination and education, administrative assisting, communication and customer service, and medical law and ethics.

Question 30

Where do medical assistants work?

Accepted Answer

You can usually find medical assistants working in these settings: Chiropractic offices, clinics, diagnostic testing centers, hospice centers, hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care centers, offices of private physicians, and surgery centers.

Question 31

How much can I earn as a medical assistant?

Accepted Answer

Medical assistants earn a median annual wage of $42,000, with the highest-paid individuals making upwards of $56,480.

Question 32

Do I have to be certified in order to be a medical assistant?

Accepted Answer

This depends on where you live. While some states require medical assistants to be certified, not all do. However, no matter what state you live in, employers tend to prefer candidates who hold certification.

Question 33

What do I need to do to become a certified medical assistant?

Accepted Answer

There are eight steps you can take to become a certified medical assistant. They are: Earn your high school diploma or GED, enroll in a medical assistant certification program, work with a mentor, complete an externship, take the CCMA exam, build a professional network, apply for your first job, and prepare for your interview.

Question 34

How long does it take to become a medical assistant?

Accepted Answer

The amount of time it takes to become a medical assistant depends on the program you choose and how quickly you pass the CCMA exam. On average, traditional certificate programs take between four and nine months, while an associate’s degree in medical assisting can take up to two years to complete. Accelerated programs are available for those who want to enter the workforce more quickly. For example, CCMA certification from Advanced eClinical Training can be completed in as little as eight to 12 weeks.

Question 35

What can I do to improve my chances of getting into a top medical school?

Accepted Answer

Focus on achieving a high GPA and MCAT score, participate in clinical and research experiences, complete secondary applications thoughtfully, research each program to show a strong fit, and thoroughly prepare for interviews. Consider additional certifications or coursework to further strengthen your application.

Question 36

Does it matter where I go to medical school?

Accepted Answer

While your school can impact certain aspects like residency placement or networking, success in medicine largely depends on individual performance. Some specialties and regions may favor graduates from highly-ranked schools, but all accredited programs provide the necessary training to become a physician.

Question 37

How are medical schools ranked?

Accepted Answer

Schools are ranked based on factors such as research activity, primary care emphasis, faculty credentials, student selectivity, and peer assessments. U.S. News &#038; World Report uses these metrics to evaluate and rank medical schools across different specialties and overall categories.

Question 38

Are med school rankings important?

Accepted Answer

Yes, rankings can matter, especially for competitive residencies and specialties, as they often reflect the school’s research opportunities, faculty, and hospital affiliations. However, the &#8220;best&#8221; school depends on individual goals, and many successful doctors come from lesser-known programs.

Question 39

How hard is it to get into medical school?

Accepted Answer

Medical school is very competitive, with acceptance rates averaging around 5–7% for top programs. Admissions require high GPAs (typically 3.7 and above), strong MCAT scores (above 510), meaningful clinical and research experience, and compelling personal statements.

Question 40

What are the top medical schools in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Top medical schools include Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. Rankings can vary by specialty and change annually based on research funding, faculty resources, and clinical training opportunities.

Question 41

If I’m planning to go to PA school, what should my major be?

Accepted Answer

PA programs do not require applicants to major in a specific field, so students can choose any major that interests them. However, many students select majors related to health sciences, biology, or psychology to cover common prerequisite courses and prepare for PA school coursework.

Question 42

What courses do I need to take before applying to PA school?

Accepted Answer

Common prerequisite courses include general biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, psychology, physics, statistics or calculus, and English. Some programs may have additional requirements, so it’s important to verify each school’s list of prerequisites.

Question 43

How many clinical hours do I need to complete in order to apply for PA school?

Accepted Answer

Requirements will depend on the program you’re applying to, but most PA schools ask prospective students to have anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000+ hours of patient care experience in order to be considered for admission.

Question 44

What is considered a competitive GRE score?

Accepted Answer

Scores above the 50th percentile (or higher than 300) are typically considered competitive.

Question 45

What GPA do I need to get into PA school?

Accepted Answer

Most PA programs have a minimum overall GPA requirement of 3.0, though competitive applicants often have higher GPAs.

Question 46

What are the requirements for PA school?

Accepted Answer

While exact requirements vary by program, you can expect to need a bachelor’s degree, to fulfill certain coursework prerequisites, achieve a GPA of at least 3.0, reach a certain minimum of clinical experience hours, submit letters of recommendation, and provide a personal statement. Most, though not all, PA schools also require applicants to submit GRE scores.

Question 47

Do I need to take the MCAT to go to medical school?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You must take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) in order to be considered for regular admission at all medical schools in the U.S. (and many in Canada).

Question 48

What are pre-med course requirements?

Accepted Answer

Exact curricula tend to vary between schools, but expect to take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, English, and math.

Question 49

How can I choose the best pre-med program?

Accepted Answer

When selecting a pre-med program, it’s important to choose the one that will best help you achieve your goals and is a good fit. As you weigh your options, it helps to consider school rankings, medical school acceptance data, the services offered by the health professions advising office, the strength of the school’s science departments, and any opportunities for research.

Question 50

What else can you do with a pre-med degree?

Accepted Answer

Not all students who complete the pre-med track continue on to medical school. For example, some may choose to enroll in veterinary or dental school instead.

Question 51

What GPA do you need to get into a pre-med program?

Accepted Answer

Exact GPA requirements will vary between colleges and universities. While a 3.0 is considered to be sufficient for most colleges and universities, more selective institutions may require a higher GPA.

Question 52

Do you have to complete a pre-med program to go to medical school?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Courses included in the pre-med track are considered prerequisites for medical school and must be completed in order to be considered for admission.

Question 53

How many clinical hours do I need for PA school?

Accepted Answer

While you can typically expect this requirement to be anywhere between 1,000 and 2,000+ hours, it’s always a good idea to verify clinical hour requirements at each school you’re considering.

Question 54

How long does the application process take?

Accepted Answer

The PA application process takes several months, from submitting your application to receiving decisions. Typically, applicants begin preparing their materials a year before they plan to apply.

Question 55

Can I reapply if I don’t get in?

Accepted Answer

Yes, reapplying is common among PA school applicants, and many students succeed in subsequent application cycles. Use any feedback you receive to strengthen your next application, and focus on areas that may have held you back previously.

Question 56

How many programs should I apply to?

Accepted Answer

To increase your chances of acceptance, applying to multiple PA programs is recommended. However, there is no ideal number of applications to send out. Instead of aiming for a certain number, ask yourself what you’re willing to spend on application fees and how much time you have to devote to the application process.

Question 57

How hard is it to get into PA school with a low GPA?

Accepted Answer

A lower GPA doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but it can present a challenge. If your GPA is lower than a program’s minimum requirement, you can improve your chances of acceptance by excelling in prerequisite courses, gaining substantial clinical experience, and writing a compelling personal statement that highlights your strengths and growth.

Question 58

How hard is it to get into PA school?

Accepted Answer

In general, PA school admissions are highly competitive, with many programs only accepting a small percentage of applicants. Admission decisions are based on factors like GPA, clinical experience, recommendations, and personal statements. While getting into PA school can be challenging, thorough preparation and a well-rounded application can make a significant difference to your prospects.

Question 59

Where can you work with a medical assistant certification?

Accepted Answer

There are many places you can work with a CCMA certification, including hospitals, clinics, research centers, outpatient care facilities, insurance companies, nursing homes, diagnostic labs, and urgent care centers.

Question 60

What’s the next career step after becoming a medical assistant?

Accepted Answer

Becoming a medical assistant is a great way to get your start in the healthcare field. Many medical assistants continue their careers through specialization or returning to school to become physician assistants, nurses, or even doctors.

Question 61

Is CCMA certification worth it?

Accepted Answer

Earning a CCMA certification comes with several benefits, including higher starting salaries and greater overall earning potential, access to a wider range of job opportunities, recognition as a qualified professional in a competitive field, and the ability to develop a versatile skill set.

Question 62

What jobs can you get with a CCMA certification?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare professionals who have a CCMA certification can pursue a wide variety of roles that include everything from medical assistant and phlebotomy technician to more administrative positions such as medical office manager and medical records specialist.

Question 63

Why are internships important for pre-med students?

Accepted Answer

When it comes to gaining experience as a prospective healthcare professional, pre-med internships are invaluable. The right experience can be transformative, offering opportunities to learn, grow, and make informed decisions about your future.

Question 64

What types of internships are available to pre-med students?

Accepted Answer

Pre-med students have access to a variety of internships that provide valuable experience and help strengthen medical school applications. Popular options include externships, where students shadow medical professionals; summer internships offering hands-on experience during academic breaks; and specialized roles in areas like oncology, humanitarian aid, and research. Other opportunities focus on nonprofit work, healthcare administration, environmental health, and clinical lab settings, each offering unique insights into the medical field and helping students explore potential career paths.

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