How to Become a Certified Medical Office Assistant

Find out how to become a certified medical office assistant and take your career to the next level. Learn about the requirements, duties, and salary expectations for this rewarding profession.

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Introduction

medical office assistants provide important administrative support in healthcare settings. They are often the first point of contact between a patient and a medical office, and they play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of the office. If you are interested in becoming a certified medical office assistant there are a few things you need to know.

In order to become a certified medical office assistant you will need to complete an accredited medical office assistant program. These programs are typically offered at community colleges and vocational schools, and they typically take one to two years to complete. Once you have completed your education, you will then need to pass the Certified Medical Office Assistant (CMOA) exam. This exam is administered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA).

There are a few different routes you can take to prepare for the CMOA exam. You can purchase study materials from the NHA or from other sources, such as study guides and practice tests. You can also find online resources that can help you prepare for the exam. Whichever route you choose, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to study and prepare so that you can feel confident on test day.

What is a Medical Office Assistant?

A Medical Office Assistant is a multi-skilled professional who work in medical offices, clinics and other healthcare settings. They perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the office running smoothly.

Medical Office Assistants usually have a high school diploma or equivalent, and some have completed postsecondary education programs. Some States have certification programs for Medical Office Assistants.

The duties of Medical Office Assistants vary from office to office, but they typically include some combination of the following tasks:

-Answering phones and greeting patients
-Scheduling appointments
-Collecting patient information and taking medical histories
-preparing patients for examination
-Assisting the physician or other healthcare provider with examinations and treatments
-performing routine laboratory tests
-Instructing patients on medications and special diets
-Arranging for hospital admissions and diagnostic testing
-filing insurance claims
Some Medical Office Assistants also perform billing and coding tasks, prepare correspondence, order supplies, maintain medical records schedule meetings and make travel arrangements for the office staff.

Duties of a Medical Office Assistant

Medical office assistants are responsible for a variety of administrative duties in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They might work at the front desk greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and handling patient inquiries. They might also work behind the scenes preparing patient files, transcribing medical reports, and handling billing and insurance paperwork. Many medical office assistants are responsible for a combination of these duties.

Qualifications to Become a Medical Office Assistant

In order to become a medical office assistant, you will need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may prefer candidates who have completed a postsecondary medical office assistant program. Although not required, certification may also be beneficial.

Most medical office assistant programs take about one year to complete and include both classroom and clinical components. During your training, you will likely learn about Medical Terminology billing and coding procedures, appointment scheduling, and basic office skills. Once you have completed your training, you will be prepared to sit for the Certified Medical Office Assistant (CMAA) exam.

Upon passing the CMAA exam, you will be a certified medical office assistant and will be able to pursue employment in a variety of healthcare settings. With experience, you may also have the opportunity to advance to a supervisory or managerial role within the medical office.

How to Become a Certified Medical Office Assistant

Medical office assistants are in high demand in today’s healthcare industry. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep medical offices running smoothly. If you’re interested in becoming a medical office assistant, you may be wondering how to get started.

The first step is to complete an accredited medical office assistant program. These programs typically take one to two years to complete and include both classroom and hands-on training. Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass the Certified Medical Office Assistant (CMAA) exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Once you have passed the CMAA exam, you will be a certified medical office assistant and can start working in a medical office. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who are certified, so becoming certified can give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs.

The Importance of Certification

While there are many ways to become a medical office assistant, certification is often seen as the best way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers. certification can also lead to career advancement opportunities and higher salaries.

Becoming certified as a medical office assistant can be done through a variety of organizations, including the National Healthcareer Association, National Healthcare Association, National Center for Competency Testing, and American Medical Technologists. To become certified, you will need to take an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical office procedures, and more.

While certification is not required in all states, it is always recommended. Pursuing certification can help you stand out from the competition and show employers that you are serious about your career.

Renewing Your Certification

If your medical office assistant certification has lapsed or will expire soon, you may be wondering how to renew it. The process is typically pretty straightforward and can usually be done entirely online.

To renew your certification, you will first need to log in to the website of the National Healthcare Association (NHA), which is the organization thatadministers the Certified Medical Office Assistant (CMAA) exams. Once you are logged in, you will need to click on the “Renew” button and then follow the instructions on the screen.

You will be asked to provide some basic information, such as your name, address, and contact information. You will also be asked to provide proof that you have completed continuing education credits. These credits can be earned by taking classes, attending workshops, or participating in other activities approved by the NHA.

Once you have provided all of the necessary information and documentation, you will be able to pay the renewal fee online and schedule a time to take the renewal exam. The exam is typically shorter than the original certification exam and covers topics such as medical office procedures, customer service, and HIPAA compliance.

After you successfully pass the renewal exam, your certification will be valid for another three years.

Medical Office Assistant Salary

education and experience . According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical office assistants made a median salary of $33,610 in 2018. The top 10% of earners made more than $48,360 while the bottom 10% earned less than $24,540. Pay varies by geographic location as well. metropolitan areas.

Job Outlook for Medical Office Assistants

The job outlook for medical office assistants is positive. Employment of medical office assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the healthcare industry expands, there will be an increasing need for medical office assistants to perform administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare facilities.

There are a number of ways to become a certified medical office assistant. One option is to complete a one-year certificate program at a community college or vocational school. Another option is to complete a two-year associate’s degree program in medical office administration.

Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass a certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical assistants (AAMA). To be eligible to take the exam, you must have completed an accredited medical assisting program and have at least five years of work experience as a medical office assistant.

Conclusion

In order to become a certified medical office assistant, you will need to complete a training program that is approved by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Once you have completed your training, you will then need to pass the NHA’s certified medical office assistant exam.