Medical assistants are respected members of the healthcare team. They deliver the caring touch within the confines of a medical office and make a difference by helping people from all backgrounds, ages, and walks of life!

Medical Assistant Online Training Educational Services...

Special Report: Extreme Caution!...

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." Saint Augustine

Those looking for a medical assistant school must first understand the meaning AND purpose of a good medical assistant program. Don't become one of those horror stories where students wind up with certificates, or diplomas that are completely worthless, and with job placement assistance that consists of nothing but a list of doctors copied from the local area's Yellow Pages (if that much!).

WE LIKE TO GIVE EXAMPLES!

HERE IS ONE

ALONG WITH OUR OPINION:

A copy of Google Ad placed on the Web by St. Augustine School of Medical

Assistants as seen on 12/27/2006.

Note: The information provided here is Advanced Medical Assistant of America's own opinion about medical assistant training offered trough certain non-accredited courses offered online. Consumers must be aware that there are gray-area, non-accredited programs, or diploma mills as defined by the U.S. Department of Education and/or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) designed to move unsuspecting consumer's money into their pocket for little in exchange. To support this opinion we have provided relevant links which over time may change. We urge visitors to do their own research and form their own opinion. It is up to each individual to decide which type of medical assistant program best meets their needs. We first published this article on 8/30/2005.

St. Augustine Medical Assistant School Online???

St. Augustine Educational Services, or St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants website is one example where consumer awareness pays off! Armed with the following information, potential medical assisting students, especially those considering online schools must make informed decision before signing up for any career training programs online! Read all the way down to learn why.

As seen on St. Augustine's home page:

"An Accredited, Convenient and Affordable Online Distance Education Program. You can now study online to earn an accredited Medical Assistant Certificate in just 6-8 weeks! You may take the Medical Assistant exam online as often as needed to earn a passing grade."

Now Check out the following...

Better Business Bureau Reliability Reports on

St. Augustine School for Medical Assistants: Unsatisfactory.

Business Name	Address	BBB Rating
St. Augustine School Of Medical Assistance www.medassistant.org	1455 Tallevast Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 360-9899
St. Augustine Allied School www.medassistant.org	2870 Pechtree Rd. Atlanta, GA 30305 (770) 000-0000
St. Augustine Educational Services www.medassistant.org	2870 Pechtree Rd. Atlanta, GA 30305 (888) 817-4595

Research St. Augustine Educational Services First!

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants is advertised on the Web as an accredited medical assistant school through “The National Accreditation and Certification Board” and "HON" (*read more here). The site promises a comprehensive medical assistant education to "begin a successful career as a medical assistant" (end quote). The program normally costs $1215, but is permanently discounted to $645, instant online sign up for anybody! People can pay by PayPal or credit card, however, this money is non-refundable! There are no special pre-enrollment conditions, requirements, or qualification screenings.

St. Augustine Educational Services Location...

Let's take a closer look at where they REALLY are located!

The St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants is found on the Web at www.medassistant.org and some other sister sites. St. Augustine Educational Servicesl websites are registered by Mark R. Stout out of Toms River in New Jersey. The Better Business Bureau states that the company cannot be located and is no longer in business.

The St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants website states that their business is located in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), thus an "offshore company". The rationale behind this often is no reporting (secrecy), tax exemption, no requirement to state operational objects, ready-made (shelf) companies, and shelter advantages over properly registerd businesses in the USA.

Are You Thinking About Signing Up for Their Program?

Then ask yourself these questions while in the decision making process:

"Are They a Real Brick and Mortar School?"

Answer: No!

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants was originally listed as a University in Florida *See archived web page!

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants website states that they are in the British Virgin Islands (BVI)

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants website now lists their address as 2870 Peachtree Road in Atlanta, GA

International Mailing: 90 Main Street, Road Town, Tortola BVI

U.S. Mailing Address: 2870 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30305 USA

But oops... What's this?

2870 Peachtree Road Google satellite image.

Google Satellite image thumbnail:

Hmm... No school campus here. Just a mall parking lot.

"Who is the Dean of Education?"

Supposedly, the Dean of Education is a Dr. Mark Stout, but I can never get a person to answer when I call, or an email for more info.

"Who is Mark R. Stout?"

Is there a way to get some more information on Dr. (?) Mark R. Stout, and some of the listed faculty members?

Answer: Here is some information on Mark R. Stout, self-proclaimed Dean of Education of St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants website and former podiatrist in Toms River, New Jersey.

STOUT, Mark R., D.P.M.

License #MD00196500

The Foot Doctor

1868 Hooper Ave., Ste. 1A

Toms River, NJ 08753-8175

In October 2005 Dr. Stout's license to practice medicine and surgery was revoked by the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners. Read: In the Matter of Dr. Mark R. Stout's License...

What is National Certification Board Accreditation?

"I would like to see more info on St Augustine they claim they are accredited by an organization called “The National Accreditation and Certification Board”. It appears to be a totally phony website at www.acertification.org". Who are the chairmen, advisors, and committees? What does their accreditation mean when it comes to the quality of career training and vocational education? What are their requirements to achieve, then maintain accreditation? How long is the application process and how often is it reviewed? What are their standards of quality? Who votes for approvals? Who regulates them? Is there a summary of their latest reviews?"

Answer: The National Accreditation and Certification Board is a private non-government agency, is is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

It is based in Owensboro, Kentucky and managed by three people, the "Rushers". Their web site is at www.acertification.org where for a one-time fee of just $200 anyone can buy a life-time accreditation certificate for alternative health programs, colleges and graduates. More info below:

Web site: acertification.org

Title: National Accreditation and Certification Board

Description: Offers accreditation for alternative health programs, colleges and graduates. Based in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Domain Name: ACERTIFICATION.ORG

Registrant Name: Steve Rusher

Registrant Organization: American Mystery Cat INC.

Registrant Street: 358 East Main Street

Registrant City: Fordsville

Registrant State/Province: KY

Registrant Postal Code: 42343

Registrant Country: US

Registrant Phone: 270.276.5384

REMEMBER:

A stamped certificate from a proper organization or school is a credible document. Although most online learning programs offer some sort of certificate upon course completion, the term "certificate of completion" should not be confused with "professional certification". Those are two different things.

A non-recognized, no-credit medical assistant online course certificate of completion is not the same as the documentation received upon graduation from a vocational medical assistant training program, and passing a national certified/registered medical assistant exam.

The purpose of a certification exam is to certify that a person is proficient, and qualified to perform a certain job, which earns them their professional designation.

Certification trough national certification bodies indicates that the individual has a specific set of knowledge, skills, and experience in the view of the associated certifying body.

When issued by a gray-area, unrecognized program, or worse, a diploma mill, it is by no means confirmation of conferment of an individual's knowledge, academic excellence, or qualification for a specific job.

What is HON Accreditation?

"The St. Augustine online course for medical assistants website states that they are accredited by HON. Besides of it not being true, what is HON anyway?"

Answer: The HON, or HONcode is a great system. It is, however, not an award system, nor does it intend to rate the quality of the information provided by a Web site. HON wants to help make sure readers always know the source and the purpose of the data they are reading on a web site. Any Web site owner can apply for HON review. It has nothing to do and does not compare to the Department of Education or other educational accreditations.

Read: HONcode Policing the HONcode.

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants Website is NOT a bonafide HONcode member. Details why their application has been revoked are listed on the HONcode site.

So, Is the Program Properly Accredited, or NOT?

Answer:

Official State Non-Accredited Colleges & Universities Lists

The State of Maine has published a list of unaccredited degree suppliers (St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants in Georgia among them!*).

Oregon State has published a list of unaccredited degree suppliers (St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants in Georgia among them!*).

*As seen published on the respective websites on 12/27/2006

IN CLOSING...

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants:

"Since this is a distance education program all registrations are final and fees non-refundable. Students are recommended to check with potential employers and/or government agencies to assure our program and accreditations will meet their needs. We provide a private distance education service and not affiliated with any governmental agency. We are a private web-based international correspondence distance educational service. We make no guarantee of job employment after completing any of our programs."

Ask yourself this:

Is an offshore company offering unsatisfactory, non-accredited career training the same as a diploma mill?

May be not exactly; but nevertheless: consumer beware!!!