Would you hire a graduate of Everest Institute?

Question

I'm looking into going back to school for medical assisting, but I'm a little worried that Everest Institute (an 8 month hands-on program including a 160 hour externship) is a little to good to be true.

Please let me know any feelings you have about the program or idea of the program on the resume.

..Would it look like I took the easy way out since I didn't get a degree?

Answer 1

I would forgo that school as there are posts at http://www.ripoffreport.com about that place.  Please also note that there are not supposed to be too many jobs for the medical assistant (or medical biller or coder) despite what those private $$ schools say :)  There are so many programs out there that are graduating students without a sufficient number of job vacancies.  (Just fyi about medical coding that a person usually needs a couple years experience doing coding tasks as well as certification(s) to possibly gain employment as a coder.)

Please do steer clear of those online, for-profit schools such as everest, penn foster, US career, stratford career, university of phoenix, capella, ITT tech, strayer, devry and others as they are merely out to 'make a profit':  http://www.capellauniversitysucks.us

I would go with one's gut feeling especially if saying that it sounds a little too good to be true as that ol' adage goes, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" :)

If still wanting training in the field, please opt for the county vo-tech school or community college (perhaps non-credit course) as long as it's accredited within the industry.

Edit:  That's the person's prerogative regarding where they get the training and for what field.  There is actually a website where people are posting how they have not been able to get a job as a MA.  It's just an fyi before spending 'x' amount of money for schooling.  That website is http://www.indeed.com and can click on 'forums' and then search MA or such.  And I do realize that billing is slightly different than MA though one learns about that in school too.  I was just putting that in parenthesis in case deciding to instead try billing or such.  Just trying to help one not to needlessly spend money.

Answer 2

I think it's fine...employers usually look for people who know what they are doing. People who are trained and have some experience in the field. So I think this would be perfect because you are also going to do the externship. Good luck!

My best friend went to Everest College and got a job right after she graduated as a medical coder.  

Answer 3

I taught at Meric & my BFF is a medical director at Everest (aka: Bryman).  They have as good a training program as any (although are significantly more expensive than a community college) and its better than some.  I would hire a graduate as long as they were competent (at this level the degree is not that big a deal)--that's what I expect from my MAs--competency, professionalism, ethical behavior, and dedication--if you have those qualities regardless where you went, you will do extremely well. Good luck