Advanced eClinical Training (ACT) can help you get a paid position and the clinical experience you need to stand out on your medical school application.
However, between juggling classes, studying for exams, and squeezing in a few moments to have a life, you don’t have the luxury of wasting your time or losing money on something that doesn’t work out in the long run. So, is ACT actually worth it?
Spoiler alert: Yes, Advanced eClinical Training is definitely worth it! You can level up your hands-on clinical experience in just 8-12 weeks while still managing your busy pre-med life.
So, if you’re on the fence about whether Advanced eClinical Training is the move for you, I’m spotlighting a fellow premed student who recently completed an Advanced eClinical Training course and is loving how it’s shaped her journey.
This post is all about Advanced eClinical Training.
Note that this post is NOT sponsored and is based on real-life experience with Advanced eClinical Training. However, it may contain affiliate links.
An Honest Review About Advanced eClinical Training
“While the upfront cost is a lot, I was able to make it back in just one month of being an MA. I now have a full-time job that I love, and I will receive many letters of recommendation from doctors I work with for medical school. Plus, I am able to make a good wage, so I can save for all the costs of medical school!”
Ally White
CCMA Alumni at ACTGet $100 off with my coupon code “MAGGIE100”
Personal Review – Ally’s Experience with Advanced eClinical Training
My Timeline for Advanced eClinical Training
I took the CCMA course over Christmas break in 2023. I was taking pretty busy semesters and working two jobs, so I opted to wait until a school break. But it can definitely be done during school, especially if you manage your time well. I also was not in a rush to get certified because I did not want to start working as a medical assistant until June 2024.
I finished the majority of the class during break and did the final modules by the end of January. So, it took me about six weeks to complete. But for 4 of those weeks, that was the only thing on my to-do list. While I definitely didn’t spend all day every day on it, I usually spent half a day 5 days a week to mimic the school schedule while still feeling like I got a break.
I then took the NHA exam during my spring break in March. Although this is not a requirement to complete ACT’s program, almost all employers will want a national certification.
Why I Almost Didn’t Sign Up (But I’m so glad I did!)
While the self-paced, online format was very appealing for this tired, burnt-out 20-year-old premed, there was some hesitation. It is expensive, especially for someone who is not working full-time.
The CCMA course costs $3,300. However, the other courses range from $2,400-$3,300. This was a hurdle for me, and I considered not going through with it and trying to find a healthcare job that didn’t need a certification or would pay for me to receive one.
The problem I found with that idea was that almost no clinical jobs can be done without a certification and the only jobs around my area which would pay for a certification was a CNA which had to work 12 hour shifts and that would not be possible with my personal responsibilities.
So back to CCMA it was, I had to bite the bullet and pay to get this certification so I can have a meaningful clinical job during gap years and save up some money for medical school.
My Job Search After ACT
I was NHA certified in March and started my first job in June. In December 2023, I was actually offered a job and the employer said they could wait until I graduated for me to start working. I was shadowing a family medicine doc in my hometown over Christmas break. He was asking about my graduation and how my journey to medical school was going when I mentioned I was taking the CCMA course. He then said that they were looking into hiring one and told me the job was mine if I wanted it.
“MAs are needed in all types of healthcare settings so you can pick what works best for you whether that be 3-12 hour shifts, 9-5 in a private practice, or as PRN classification with 2 shifts per month.”
Ally White
ACT AlumniThis is a great reminder on why to shadow if you need one. Because I had already secured a job, and did not want to start working until June, I did not opt for the 6-week externship that eClinical offers. I also did not participate in the newsletter for job searching near your area.
I was worried about the job, but as soon as I started, I realized I knew a lot more than I thought I did, and everything I did need to learn was specific location things like where do you keep the 22-gauge needles and what is the login to the nurses’ station computer. Also, I will say I do know that a CCMA in an outpatient clinic is very different from a hospital setting.
A Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant
A usual day for me looks like pulling back patients for all providers when the nurses are busy. I give vaccines and steroid injections. I complete all pre-authorizations for medications and procedures. On top of that, I contact the pharmacy with any questions/concerns for some of the providers. I also coordinate hospital follow-ups and care received from other clinics. As far as front office tasks, I check in patients, code superbills, and complete audit requests.
My day is never exactly the same, and I usually work on ten different things, but that’s what I love about it. In a hospital, most CCMAs will work with doctors all day, scribing and taking notes about patients so the doctor can work on it more in-depth later.
What I Loved About ACT
I loved that it was a self-paced program, which meant I could get it done fast. I loved the powerpoints and written lectures, but I do wish there were more of them and less videos (but that’s always my personal preference).
Overall, the advanced eClinical CCMA course was very helpful, and now I have a job I love, and the paychecks cover the upfront cost very quickly.
Click here to learn more about the CCMA Certification through Advanced Clinical Training.
Advanced eClinical Training: Q & A
Now that you’ve read about our RTA student Ally and her own real-life experiences with ACT, the good and the bad, you may still have a few questions. So here are some answers to help you decide if ACT is right for you.
Is Advanced eClinical Training for Real?
Yes, I’m here to tell you it totally is! I’ve been working with ACT for years, and honestly, they have some amazing options for busy premeds who don’t want to wait forever to get certified or can’t find in-person training close by.
What About Accreditation?
Yes, ACT’s clinical training program is approved by the National HealthCareer Association (NHA). Once you finish the course, you can take a national certification exam and receive an accredited certification.
Other than CCMA Certification, What Other Certification Courses are there?
In addition to Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA), which gets you into clinical settings and working directly with patients, Advanced eClinical Training also offers Patient Care Technician Certification (CPCT) and Phlebotomy Technician Certification (CPT).
The Patient Care Technician certification is a great way to learn by working closely with healthcare pros. And the Phlebotomy certification gets you on the job taking blood samples and provides experience for being a part of a healthcare team.
Are the ACT courses available for Canadian students?
Yes, Advanced eClinical Training is offered for Canadian students, too. Your certification will be recognized in clinics and hospitals across Canada, so no worries there!
How Can I Save Money on an ACT Course?
Good news! I have a coupon code for you! Use the code: “MAGGIE100” to snag $100 off your course. Plus, ACT offers interest-free payment plans to make it even easier on your wallet.
The Final Verdict: Is Advanced eClinical Training Worth the Investment?
Absolutely, yes! Advanced eClinical Training is such a smart move if you’re eyeing a CCMA certification. You can study at your own pace and practice real-life scenarios, all in an online format. Best of all, you can earn your certification in as little as 8-12 weeks. With guaranteed job placement or your money back, it’s really a no-brainer. Sure, the initial costs can feel a bit steep, but with interest-free payment plans, it’s super manageable. And as Ally mentioned, you could make it back in just one month working as a CCMA!
The investment you make in earning a certification will have such a big pay off. You’ll get to team up and learn from healthcare professionals, deepen your understanding of what a medical career is really like, and gain compelling stories for your personal statement and your interviews. These clinical experiences will definitely help your application stand outfrom the crowd, lead to more interviews, and increase your chances of getting accepted.
So, like Ally, if you’re ready to boost your credentials and show off your commitment to patient care through a paid clinical experience, ACT might just be your ticket to leveling up!
Leave a Reply