Certified or Interim: Which Medical Assistant Application is Best for You?

Considering a career as a medical assistant? Not sure if you should get certified or go the interim route? This blog post will help you make the best decision for your future.

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Certified vs. Interim: Which is best for you?

Are you considering a career as a medical assistant but not sure which route to take? The first step is to decide whether you want to become certified or interim. Both have their own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to consider which one is best for your individual needs.

Certified Medical assistants have completed an accredited training program and have passed a national exam. This means that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform all of the duties of a medical assistant One of the benefits of becoming certified is that it allows you to work in any state. Certified Medical Assistants also tend to earn higher salaries than those who are not certified.

Interim medical assistants have not completed an accredited training program or passed a national exam, but they are still able to perform many of the duties of a medical assistant One of the benefits of becoming interim is that it is generally less expensive and takes less time than becoming certified. However, this also means that interim medical assistants are only able to work in certain states and they may not be able to find employment as easily as those who are certified.

So, which route should you take? It really depends on your individual circumstances. If you want to become certified, make sure you are willing and able to commit the time and money necessary to do so. If you want to become interim, make sure you are only interested in working in certain states and that you understand the limitations of your certification.

The benefits of certification

There are many benefits to becoming a certified medical assistant including improved job prospects and higher earnings potential. In some states, certification may even be required in order to work as a medical assistant. Certified medical assistants also tend to have a greater level of knowledge and skills than non-certified ones, which can lead to improved patient care.

The benefits of an interim medical assistant application

If you are considering a career in medical assisting, you may be wondering whether to pursue a certified or interim medical assistant application. While both types of programs have their own benefits, an interim program may be the best choice for you if you are looking for more flexibility and want to be able to start working sooner. Here are some of the other benefits of an interim medical assistant program:

-More affordable: Interim medical assistant programs are typically more affordable than certified programs. This is because they do not require you to take the same number of courses or take the same exams.

-Shorter duration: An interim medical assistant program can usually be completed in less time than a certified program. This means that you can start working sooner and start earning an income sooner.

-Greater flexibility: Interim programs offer more flexibility than certified programs. You can often complete them at your own pace and on your own schedule. Additionally, you may be able to transfer credits from an interim program to a certified program if you decide to pursue certification at a later date.

How to become certified

There are two ways to become a certified medical assistant: through a certified medical assistant program or an interim medical assistant program. Both routes will lead you to taking and passing the certification exam, but there are a few key differences between the two. Here’s what you need to know to decide which is the best path for you.

Certified Medical Assistant Programs
A certified medical assistant program is a post-secondary education program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These programs usually take between 12 and 18 months to complete and include both classroom instruction and clinical experience.

Interim Medical Assistant Programs
An interim medical assistant program is a non-accredited training program that typically lasts for six months or less. These programs often do not include any clinical experience, which means that you’ll have to get your hands-on training on the job.

How to become an interim medical assistant

Medical assistants can be certified or interim. The difference between the two is that certified medical assistants have completed an accredited program and passed a certification exam, while interim medical assistants have not.

If you are interested in becoming an interim medical assistant, there are a few things you should know. First, most states do not require medical assistants to be certified or registered. However, some employers may prefer to hire those who are certified. Second, you will need to complete a training program. This can be done at a community college, vocational school, or online. Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass a competency exam. After passing the exam, you will be able to work as an interim medical assistant.

The difference between certified and interim medical assistants

Medical assistants can be either certified or interim. Both types of medical assistants perform similar duties, but there are some key differences between the two.

Certified medical assistants have completed an accredited medical assistant program and have passed a certification exam. This type of medical assistant is more likely to have more training and be more knowledgeable about medical procedures and terminology. Certified medical assistants may also be more attractive to employers.

Interim medical assistants have not completed an accredited medical assistant program, but may have on-the-job training or experience in a related field. Interim medical assistants are not certified and cannot take the certification exam. However, they may be able to take on-the-job training to become certified at a later date.

The duties of a medical assistant

Duties of a medical assistant include patient care, taking and recording vital signs, administering medications and immunizations, scheduling appointments, performing basic laboratory tests, preparing patients for X-rays and other diagnostic procedures and helping with minor office surgery. Clinical duties may also include drawing blood, giving injections, performing EKGs and stress tests and taking patient histories.

Medical assistants typically work in physicians’ offices, clinics or hospitals. They may also work for other health practitioners such as chiropractors, podiatrists or optometrists.

The duties of an interim medical assistant

The duties of an interim medical assistant are to provide support to the medical staff and perform clinical duties as needed. Interim medical assistants may also be responsible for scheduling appointments, taking medical histories, and performing lab testing. They must be able to work independently and be able to take direction from multiple sources.

The job outlook for medical assistants

Medical assistants are in high demand. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. With such a large projected growth rate, it’s no surprise that many people are interested in becoming medical assistants.

There are two main types of medical assistant programs: certified and interim. Both types of programs have their own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you.

Certified medical assistant programs are offered by community colleges and technical schools. These programs typically take about a year to complete and include both classroom instruction and hands-on training in a clinical setting. Upon completion of a certified program, graduates are eligible to take the Certifying Board of Medical Assistants (CBMA) certification exam.

Interim medical assistant programs are offered by hospitals and other healthcare facilities. These programs usually last six to 12 weeks and provide on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. Upon completion of an interim program, graduates are eligible to take the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification exam.

Both certified and interim medical assistant programs can lead to rewarding careers, but each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Consider these factors when deciding which type of program is right for you:

Cost: Certified programs tend to be more expensive than interim programs because they last longer and typically require tuition payments. Interim programs may require an up-front fee, but they often provide stipends or other financial assistance to offset the cost of living expenses during the program.

Time commitment: Certified programs typically take about a year to complete, while interim programs can be completed in as little as six weeks. This means that interim programs have a shorter time commitment, which may be ideal if you’re already working or raising a family. However, keep in mind that interim programs move at a fast pace, so you’ll need to be prepared to commit yourself fully during the program period.

Certification: Both certified and interim medical assistant program graduates are eligible to take certification exams, but passing rates for Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exams are generally higher than passing rates for Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exams. This may be due to the fact that CMAs must complete an accredited program before taking their exams, while RMAs can take their exams without completing an accredited program. In addition, CMAs must recertify every five years, while RMAs only need to recertify every 10 years.

Employment opportunities: Both CMAs and RMAs are qualified for entry-level positions as medical assistants, but CMAs may have an advantage when it comes to job opportunities because they have completed an accredited program and passed a standardized exam. In addition, many employers prefer or require CMAs because they must maintain their certification through continuing education courses every five years.”

The job outlook for interim medical assistants

The job outlook for interim medical assistants is positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $31,540 in May 2018, and the employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.

There are many reasons why an individual may choose to become an interim medical assistant. Perhaps you are planning on becoming a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse and want to gain experience in the field before making a commitment to a long-term career. Maybe you are looking for a career change and want to test the waters before committing to a new field. Or maybe you simply want the flexibility that comes with working as an interim medical assistant.

Whatever your reasons, if you are considering becoming an interim medical assistant, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, while the job outlook is positive, it is important to remember that interim positions are just that—interim. They are not intended to be long-term positions, and as such, they may not offer the same job security or benefits as permanent positions. Additionally, because interim positions are often filled by individuals who do not have experience in the field, competition for these positions can be fierce.

If you are interested in becoming an interim medical assistant, it is important to do your research and make sure you are prepared for the challenges that come with this type of position. But if you are up for the challenge and excited about the prospect of working in healthcare, then becoming an interim medical assistant may be the perfect choice for you!