Jobs That Train You to Be a Medical Assistant
Contents
- What is a medical assistant?
- Duties of a medical assistant
- Job outlook for medical assistants
- How to become a medical assistant
- The benefits of becoming a medical assistant
- The best medical assistant training programs
- The top medical assistant schools
- The top medical assistant certification programs
- The top medical assistant jobs
- How to advance your career as a medical assistant
There are many different types of medical assistant jobs available. You can find a job that suits your skills and interests, and that provides the training you need to be a successful medical assistant.
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What is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is an important member of a healthcare team. They work alongside physicians and other medical staff to provide patient care and perform administrative tasks.
Medical assistants typically have an associate’s degree or certification from a vocational school. Some states require Medical assistants to be licensed or registered.
The duties of a medical assistant can vary depending on the size and type of medical practice. In small practices, medical assistants may be responsible for a variety of tasks, including scheduling appointments, taking patient histories, and preparing examination rooms. In larger practices, medical assistants may specialize in a particular area, such as insurance billing or coding.
Some medical assistants also choose to pursue additional training to become certified as a registered medical assistant (RMA) or a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA). These certifications demonstrate that the individual has completed additional coursework and has passed an exam that tests their knowledge of medical assisting procedures.
Duties of a medical assistant
A medical assistant is a person who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in a clinic setting. Their duties vary depending on state law and the preferences of the supervising physician, but they commonly include taking medical histories, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for examination, taking blood pressure and weight, and giving injections. Many medical assistants also perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, educate patients about health maintenance, and fill out insurance forms.
Job outlook for medical assistants
The job outlook for medical assistants is very good. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physician assistants. As practices look to increase efficiency and provide more services to patients, they are expected to hire more medical assistants.
How to become a medical assistant
Working as a medical assistant is a great way to start your career in the medical field. Medical assistants perform many important tasks, including taking patient medical histories, recording vital signs, and preparing patients for examination. They also may schedule appointments, manage medical records and provide patient education.
Although you can find jobs as a medical assistant with no formal training, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited medical assistant program. These programs are typically offered at community colleges and technical schools and take about one year to complete. In addition to classroom instruction, most programs include a clinical externship that gives students the opportunity to work in a real-world healthcare setting.
Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass a certification exam to become certified as a medical assistant. Although certification is not required in all states, it may give you an edge when competing for jobs. The two main certifying organizations for medical assistants are the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA).
The benefits of becoming a medical assistant
If you’re thinking about a career in the medical field, you might be wondering what kind of job would be a good fit for you. One option you might consider is becoming a medical assistant. Medical assistants are valued members of the healthcare team who provide support to doctors and nurses by performing tasks such as scheduling appointments, taking patient vital signs, and updating Medical records Becoming a medical assistant has many benefits, including the following:
-You can receive on-the-job training: Many employers are willing to train candidates with no prior experience in the medical field. This means that you can enter the workforce without completing an expensive training program at a hospital or vocational school.
-You can work in a variety of settings: Medical assistants can find employment in hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, and even insurance companies. This variety gives you the opportunity to find a work setting that suits your personality and preferences.
-You can advance your career: Once you have gained some experience as a medical assistant, you may be able to move into a supervisory role or specialize in a certain area of medicine such as pediatrics or geriatrics.
The best medical assistant training programs
There are many different medical assistant training programs out there, but not all of them are created equal. Here are some things to look for in a good program:
-Classes that are approved by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
-A curriculum that covers both the administrative and clinical aspects of being a medical assistant.
-Instructors who are experienced medical assistants themselves.
-A program that offers externships or internships so you can get real-world experience before you graduate.
The best way to find a good medical assistant training program is to ask around at your local hospitals or clinics, or to check with the AAMA for a list of approved programs.
The top medical assistant schools
There are many schools that offer medical assistant training, but not all of them are created equal. Some programs may be more comprehensive than others, and some may have better job placement records. Here are some of the top medical assistant schools in the country:
-The University of Texas at Austin
-The George Washington University
-The University of Southern California
– Harley School of Business
All of these schools offer excellent medical assistant training. Each program is different, so be sure to research each one carefully before making a decision.
The top medical assistant certification programs
There are a number of medical assistant certification programs available, but not all of them are created equal. Some programs are more comprehensive than others, and some are more widely recognized by employers. Here are four of the top medical assistant certification programs to consider if you’re looking to enter the field:
1. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) program offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is one of the most widely recognized certification programs for medical assistants. To be eligible for the CMA credential, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and pass a rigorous exam.
2. The National Healthcare Association offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential for medical assistants who have completed an accredited training program and passed a detailed exam. The CCMA credential is recognized by many employers as a mark of excellence in the field.
3. The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential offered by American Medical Technologists (AMT) is another widely recognized credential for medical assistants. To be eligible for the RMA credential, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and pass a detailed exam. AMT also offers a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA-AAMA) credential for those who wish to demonstrate their expertise in clinical procedures.
4. The Certified Professional Medical Assistant (CPMA) credential offered by the National Healthcareer Association is designed for medical assistants who have completed an accredited training program and passed a detailed exam. The CPMA credential is recognized by many employers as a mark of excellence in the field.
The top medical assistant jobs
Medical assistants are in demand across the United States They work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. If you’re interested in a career as a medical assistant, here are some of the top jobs to consider:
1. Clinical medical assistant: Clinical medical assistants work directly with patients. They take vital signs, collect patient histories and provide basic care.
2. Administrative medical assistant: Administrative medical assistants handle the behind-the-scenes work in a healthcare facility. They schedule appointments, file insurance paperwork and perform other administrative tasks.
3. Billing and coding medical assistant: Billing and coding medical assistants handle the billing and coding for a healthcare facility. They ensure that insurance claims are filed correctly and that patients are billed accurately.
4. Pediatric medical assistant: Pediatric medical assistants care for young patients in a pediatrician’s office or clinic. They may also work in a hospital setting caring for sick children.
5. Geriatric medical assistant: Geriatric medical assistants care for elderly patients in a variety of settings, such as nursing homes assisted living facilities and hospitals.
How to advance your career as a medical assistant
There are many ways to advance your career as a medical assistant. One way is to get a job in a hospital or medical office that will train you to be a medical assistant. Then, after you have completed your training, you can take the certification exam to become a certified medical assistant.
Another way to advance your career is to get a job in a related field, such as health information management or medical billing and coding. This will give you the opportunity to learn about the business side of healthcare and how to run a medical office. You can also take courses online or at a community college to learn more about the medical field and prepare for a career as a medical assistant.