American Registration of Medical Assistants
Contents
- What is a medical assistant?
- Duties of a medical assistant
- Education and training requirements
- Certification and registration requirements
- Job outlook and salary information
- Career options for medical assistants
- What is the American Registry of Medical Assistants?
- The benefits of registering with the American Registry of Medical Assistants
- How to become registered with the American Registry of Medical Assistants
- Why register with the American Registry of Medical Assistants?
The American Registration of Medical Assistants (ARMA) is the national professional membership organization for medical assistants and provides voluntary certification for medical assistants.
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What is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is an allied health professional who performs administrative and clinical tasks in a healthcare setting. Medical assistants work alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide patient care.
Medical assistants are trained in a variety of medical office procedures and are responsible for a variety of administrative tasks, including answering phones, scheduling appointments, and handling patient records. They also perform clinical tasks such as taking vital signs, administering injections, and preparing patients for examination.
In order to become a medical assistant, one must complete an accredited medical assistant training program. Most programs award a certificate or diploma upon completion. Some states require medical assistants to be licensed or certified; requirements vary by state.
Duties of a medical assistant
The duties of a medical assistant are highly varied and depend on the size and type of facility in which they work. In a small facility, a medical assistant may be responsible for a wide range of clinical and administrative tasks, while in a large facility they may specialize in one or two areas. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting the physician with procedures, performing basic laboratory tests, providing patient education, and scheduling appointments. Administrative duties may include managing medical records, handling billing and insurance paperwork, ordering supplies, and handling customer service inquiries.
Education and training requirements
There are no formal education or training requirements for medical assistants in the United States. However, many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a medical assistant program at a community college, technical school, or vocational school. These programs typically take one to two years to complete and include classroom, laboratory, and clinical components. Many medical assistants also choose to become certified by passing a standardized exam. Although certification is not required, it may improve employment prospects.
Certification and registration requirements
Medical assistants in the United States are unlicensed individuals who perform routine administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They may also be called medical office assistants, physician assistants, patient care technicians, medical support personnel, or Healthcare Assistants.
Certification and registration requirements for medical assistants vary from state to state. Some states have no certification or registration requirements for medical assistants; however, most states have at least one of these requirements. In general, states that require certification or registration of medical assistants do so in order to ensure that these individuals have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their job duties safely and effectively.
Most states that require certification of medical assistants recognize two primary certifying organizations: the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA). To be eligible for certification by either of these organizations, an individual must graduate from an accredited medical assistant program and pass a standardized exam. Once certified, medical assistants must maintain their certification through continuing education or re-examination.
Although certification is not required in all states, many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistant
Job outlook and salary information
Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The expansion of healthcare industries and the continued demand for cost-effective services should result in increased employment opportunities for medical assistants.
Medical assistants held about 727,000 jobs in 2018. The majority of jobs for medical assistants were in hospitals; offices of physicians; offices of other health practitioners, such as chiropractors and optometrists; and outpatient care centers.
The median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,720
Career options for medical assistants
Medical assistants are in demand in a variety of medical settings. They may work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities. Many medical assistants have an associate’s degree or certificate from a community college or technical school, although some have a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training.
Most medical assistants have postsecondary education, such as a certificate or diploma from a medical assisting program. These programs typically last 1 year or less and lead to a credential, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Some states have certification programs for medical assistants.
In addition to completing an accredited educational program, candidates for the CMA credential must pass a nationally standardized exam administered by the AAMA. To maintain the credential, CMAs must complete continuing education courses every 60 months.
What is the American Registry of Medical Assistants?
The American Registry of Medical Assistants (ARMA) is a national organization that provides certification and registration for medical assistants. Medical assistants who have been certified by ARMA have met standards for education and experience, and have passed a nationally recognized exam.
ARMA-certified medical assistants are qualified to perform basic administrative and clinical tasks in physician’s offices, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. They may also be employed in larger organizations such as insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and managed care organizations.
ARMA certification is not required for employment as a medical assistant, but many employers prefer to hire candidates who are certified. Certification may also lead to career advancement opportunities.
The benefits of registering with the American Registry of Medical Assistants
There are many benefits to registering with the American Registry of Medical Assistants (ARMA). As a medical assistant, you will be able to demonstrate your commitment to the profession, gain recognition for your skills and knowledge, and improve your career prospects.
ARMA registration is voluntary, but it is highly respected by employers and healthcare organizations. Many employers prefer to hire registered medical assistants, and some healthcare organizations will only accept applications from candidates who are registered with ARMA.
Registering with ARMA gives you the opportunity to show that you are a competent and skilled medical assistant. The process of registering with ARMA involves passing an examination that tests your knowledge of the medical assistant profession. Once you have registered with ARMA, you will be issued a certificate that you can display in your workplace.
ARMA registration can help you advance in your career. If you are looking for a new job, being registered with ARMA will give you an advantage over other candidates who are not registered. Employers often use ARMA registration as a way to shortlist candidates for interview. And if you are hoping to progress in your career, being registered with ARMA can help you achieve your goals. Many healthcare organizations require employees in certain positions to be registered with ARMA, so being registered could open doors for you in the future
How to become registered with the American Registry of Medical Assistants
In order to become registered with the American Registry of Medical Assistants, there are certain educational and experience requirements that must be met. Educational requirements include completing an accredited medical assisting program and passing the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam. Experience requirements include completing a specified number of clinical hours working under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.
Once these requirements have been met, individuals can apply for registration with the American Registry of Medical Assistants. The application process includes submitting an application form and paying the required fees. Once the application has been processed, registrants will receive a certificate and be listed in the registry.
Why register with the American Registry of Medical Assistants?
There are many reasons to register with the American Registry of Medical Assistants (ARMA). By becoming a registered medical assistant, you will have access to a number of resources and benefits that can help you in your career.
As a registered medical assistant, you will be able to use the ARMA logo on your resume and job applications. This will show potential employers that you have met the high standards set by the ARMA, and that you are committed to your career as a medical assistant.
registered medical assistants also have access to a number of professional development resources. These resources can help you stay up-to-date on the latest news and information in the medical field, and can also help you advance in your career.
In addition, registered medical assistants are eligible for discounts on liability insurance, education courses, and other products and services. These discounts can save you money and help you stretch your budget further.
Finally, by becoming a registered medical assistant, you will be joining a community of professionals who are dedicated to helping others. As a member of the ARMA community, you will have opportunities to network with other medical assistants and share ideas and best practices.
The American Registry of Medical Assistants is the nation’s leading organization for medical assistants. We are committed to setting the standard for excellence in the profession, and we work hard every day to support our members in their careers. We hope that you will consider joining us!