What’s the Difference Between a Certified and Registered Medical Assistant?

There are a few different types of Medical assistants each with their own set of responsibilities and certification requirements. So, what’s the difference between a certified and registered medical assistant?

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Job duties of a certified medical assistant vs. a registered medical assistant

There are two primary types of Medical Assistants certified and registered. Here’s a quick overview of the job duties of each type:

Certified medical assistants (CMAs) have completed an accredited program and passed a national exam administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In addition to performing administrative and clinical tasks, CMAs may also act as patient educators and advocates.

Registered medical assistants (RMAs) have completed an accredited program but have not passed a national exam. RMAs are not certified by the AAMA, but they may be registered with certain state organizations, such as the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Like CMAs, RMAs perform administrative and clinical tasks and may also act as patient educators and advocates.

The educational requirements for each type of medical assistant.

Medical assistants are unlicensed multi-skilled health care professionals who perform administrative and clinical tasks in physician offices, hospitals, and other outpatient facilities. There are two types of medical assistants: certified and registered. The main difference between the two is the educational requirements needed to be eligible for certification or registration.

Certified medical assistants (CMAs) have completed an accredited medical assisting program and have passed a national certification exam administered by either the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Registered medical assistants (RMAs) have completed an accredited medical assisting program and have passed a national certification exam administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

The certification process for certified medical assistants.

To become a certified medical assistant, you must first complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass the certification exam administered by either the American Association of Medical Assistants or the American Medical Technologists. Registered medical assistants are not required to complete an accredited medical assistant program or pass a certification exam, but they may do so if they wish.

The registration process for registered medical assistants.

The registration process for registered medical assistants is overseen by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). To become registered, candidates must complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam. The AMT also offers a certification for medical assistants, which is granted after the completion of an accredited program and a passing score on the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Both registered and certified medical assistant credentials are voluntary.

The benefits of being a certified medical assistant.

There are two types of medical assistants: certified and registered. Both types perform similar duties, such as taking patient medical histories and vital signs, but there are some important differences between the two.

Certified medical assistants (CMAs) have completed an accredited medical assistant program and passed a national certification exam. Registered medical assistants (RMAs) have not completed an accredited program or taken a national certification exam.

The main benefit of being a CMA is that it gives you a competitive edge when seeking employment. Employers often prefer to hire CMAs because they have demonstrated their knowledge and skills through their educational training and certification. Additionally, CMAs may be eligible for higher salaries and greater job opportunities than RMAs.

The benefits of being a registered medical assistant.

There are many benefits of being a registered medical assistant. One of the most important benefits is that you will have met all of the requirements necessary to work in a medical office. This means that you will have completed an accredited medical assisting program and passed the certification exam.

In addition to meeting the requirements to work in a medical office, being a registered medical assistant also comes with other benefits. For instance, you may be able to find work in a larger variety of medical offices, since some only hire certified or registered medical assistants. You may also be able to command a higher salary than those who are not registered or certified.

The salary range for certified medical assistants.

Certified medical assistants (CMAs) earn, on average, $15.02 per hour, or $31,610 annually, which is slightly higher than the median wage for all occupations in the United States The top 10 percent of earners make more than $20.39 per hour, or $42,430 annually, while the bottom 10 percent make less than $11.14 per hour, or $23,210 annually. Most CMAs work full time; however, some work part time. In addition, CMAs may work evenings or weekends to cover shifts left open by full-time employees.

The salary range for registered medical assistants.

The position of medical assistant is one that has seen significant growth in recent years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29% between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. With this growth comes a greater need for clarity regarding the duties and responsibilities of medical assistants, as well as the difference between certified and registered medical assistants.

Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical tasks in physician’s offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary depending on the state in which they work, but may include taking and recording patients’ medical histories, vital signs, and personal information; scheduling appointments; preparing patients for examination; collecting and processing laboratory specimens; performing basic laboratory tests; assisting with patient education; and billing and coding insurance forms. In addition to these duties, medical assistants may also be responsible for more administrative tasks such as handling finances, ordering supplies, handling correspondence, and supervising other office staff.

The salary range for registered medical assistants varies widely depending on experience, location, and employer. The median annual salary for medical assistants was $32,480 in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $22,560 annually, while the highest 10% earned more than $46,780 annually.

The job outlook for certified medical assistants.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for certified medical assistants is very positive. Certified medical assistants are projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations between now and 2024. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be nearly twice as many certified medical assistant jobs in 2024 as there are today. This growth is due to a number of factors, including an aging population and an increasing demand for healthcare services.

The job outlook for registered medical assistants.

The job outlook for registered medical assistants is very positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical assistants is expected to grow by 29% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for medical assistants will be driven by the continued growth of the healthcare industry and an aging population.