How Do I Become a Certified Medical Assistant?

Medical assisting has emerged as one of the blooming careers in healthcare, with tremendous employment potential, a handsome salary, great employment benefits, and job security. They work side by side with doctors, nurses and others from the health care team, treating patients from newborn babies to senior citizens. They are experts in varied skills such as administrative, technical, communication, and interpersonal abilities.

Career Growth

There is a huge demand for medical assistant jobs and are expected to become more available in the U.S. between 2012 and 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The medical assistant training is needed in a variety of settings including hospitals, medical clinics, medical labs, nursing homes, chiropractic offices, and medical research centers.

The Medical Assistant Training Program

The Medical Assistant Program includes theory and skills in many areas such as:

• Computer literacy, keyboard typing, word processing, composing professional business letters and memos.
• Good administrative skills such as front office operations, telephone skills, appointment scheduling, medical records management, and patient billing practices.
• Obtaining electrocardiograms.
• Overview knowledge of the healthcare system and healthcare insurance programs
• Understanding the structure and basic functions of the human body as well as common illness and disorders.
• Measuring vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration), and preparing patients for examinations
• Performing phlebotomy, basic urinalysis, and waived laboratory tests
• Effective communication and developing good patient relations.
• Medical law and ethics.

The Medical Assisting Program provides entry-level theory and hands-on training in basic and routine clinical and administrative tasks. A medical assistant effectively handles administrative office procedures including electronic record keeping, keyboarding, billing, coding, scheduling, transcription, and insurance claims. To obtain their medical assistant certification, students will be required to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ (AAMA) National Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification Exam. Nowadays medical doctors need a qualified, dedicated supporting team to assist them in the delivery of health care and service to those who need it. Medical Assistant certification is a way to be a part of the supporting team. In the Medical Assistant program, one is taught how to assist physicians during examination and treatment. These skills will also allow you to perform a variety of laboratory and clinical procedures.

Ways to Becoming a Medical Assistant

On-the-Job Training and Education

Choosing this way to become a medical assistant through on-the-job training is the fastest way to enter the field since it allows you to work and earn money while learning. However, this path requires a great deal of persistence because it’s difficult to find a doctor that is willing to hire an untrained applicant.

Formal Training through regular Programs

Many colleges, universities, and technical schools offer medical assistant training programs. Depending upon your preferences, you may choose to earn a certificate or diploma in as little as 9-12 months or an associate’s degree in 18-24 months. These programs typically include classroom and laboratory training as well as an externship assignment.

Becoming a medical assistant is a relatively simple process, especially when you consider the career the profession offers. Hence, the medical assistant training is a great career to be chosen.