Eligibility Requirements for Medical Assistants

Medical Assistants are allied health professionals who provide basic patient care under the supervision of licensed physicians and nurses. They perform administrative and clinical tasks in doctors’ offices, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. While most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, some states require certification or licensure.

Education and Training
Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some employers may prefer or require candidates to have an associate degree from an accredited medical assisting program. These programs typically last about two years and include courses in anatomy, physiology, Medical Terminology transcription, computer applications and office procedures. Some programs also include externships or internships that provide hands-on experience in a real healthcare setting.

Certification
While certification is not required in all states, it may improve your employment prospects and lead to higher earnings. The American Association of Medical Assistants offers the Certified medical assistant (CMA) credential, which requires completing an accredited medical assisting program and passing a national exam. Once you earn your CMA credential, you must renew it every 60 months by completing continuing education credits and paying a fees.

Licensure (in some states)
A few states require medical assistants to be licensed. Usually licensure is granted by the state Board of Medicine after successfully completing an accredited medical assisting program and passing a state-approved exam.

What are the requirements to be a medical assistant?

Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate. Some states require medical assistants to be licensed, however in many instances certification is preferred. Below are some common requirements for becoming a medical assistant

-Complete a postsecondary education program. Aspiring medical assistants can complete a 1-year certificate, 2-year associate’s degree, or 3- to 4- year bachelor’s degree program in medical assisting.

-Earn certification. Many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, and some states may require certification for certain tasks such as taking X-rays. There are several different certifying organizations for medical assistants, including the American Association of Medical Assistants and the National Healthcare Association.

-Complete on-the-job training. Most medical assistants receive on-the-job training from their employer after they are hired. This training may last several weeks to several months and can include both classroom instruction and hands-on experience.

How to become a medical assistant

To become a medical assistant you will need to complete an accredited training program. Programs typically last between one and two years and award a certificate or diploma upon completion. Some programs may also offer an associate’s degree in medical assisting.

In order to be eligible for a training program, you will need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. You may also need to complete prerequisite coursework in English, math, and science. Once you have completed a training program, you will need to pass a certification exam in order to earn your medical assistant certification.

What is a medical assistant?

A medical assistant is a person who has been trained to provide basic patient care, as well as perform routine office duties in a medical practice. In order to become a medical assistant, one must complete an accredited program and pass a certification exam. Although not required, most employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants.

Medical assistant requirements

There are several requirements that you must meet in order to become a medical assistant. In general, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete an accredited medical assistant program, and pass a certification exam.

You may also be required to have CPR certification and to pass a criminal background check. Some states have additional requirements, so it is important to check with your state’s Board of Medical Examiners to see if there are any additional steps you need to take.

What do medical assistants do?

Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically trained to work in outpatient settings such as medical offices and clinics. Their job duties vary with the size, location, and specialty of the practice. Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate, although some have Associates Degrees in medical assisting. Employers also prefer to hire those with some experience working in a healthcare setting.

The primary responsibilities of medical assistants include:
Answering patient calls and scheduling appointments
Assisting patients with paperwork
Taking and recording patient medical histories
Updating patient records
Checking patients in and out
Verifying insurance benefits
Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
Preparing examination rooms
Assisting the physician during examinations
Taking patient vital signs
Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
Performing basic laboratory tests on site

To be eligible for certification, candidates must have graduated from an accredited program and pass an exam administered by one of several professional organizations for medical assistants, such as the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association. Some states require certification for employment as a medical assistant.

What are the duties of a medical assistant?

The medical assistant job description is broad and varied. Medical assistants perform many different tasks in doctors’ offices and clinics. Some of their duties include:
-Answering phones
-Greeting patients
-Updating and filing patient medical records
-Arranging laboratory tests and x-rays
-Taking patient histories
-measuring patients’ vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, etc.)
-Explaining procedures to patients
-Assisting the physician during examinations
-Preparing patients for and assisting with diagnostic procedures such as lab tests and x-rays
-Performing basic lab tests onsite
drawing blood
removing sutures
caring for wound dressings
handling patients’ correspondence
billing insurance companies

What are the job responsibilities of a medical assistant?

Medical assistants are responsibility for a variety of both clinical and administrative tasks in a medical office or clinic. These tasks can include taking and recording a patient’s vital signs, preparing treatments, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, and handling billing and coding paperwork. A medical assistant may also be responsible for stocking supplies, sterilizing equipment, and assisting with minor office procedures.

Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some positions may require postsecondary education or specific certification. Many medical assistant programs can be completed in less than a year and provide on-the-job training to prepare students for the duties of the position.

What are the educational requirements for a medical assistant?

Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate. Some have completed an associate degree program in medical assisting, while others have completed a one-year or less non-degree program. Certificate and degree programs typically last from 9 months to 2 years and are available from many community colleges, technical schools, vocational schools, and universities.

What are the certification requirements for a medical assistant?

There is no nationally recognized certification for medical assistants, however, many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a formal training program and/or have earned certification from a professional organization. Although certification is not required, it may give you an edge when competing for jobs and can provide opportunities for career advancement.

There are several organizations that offer certification for medical assistants, including the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the National Healthcare Association (NHA), and the American Medical Technologists (AMT). To be eligible for certification, you must meet certain education and experience requirements. For example, the AAMA requires that you have completed an accredited medical assistant program and passing their credentialing exam. Once you have earned your credential, you will need to renew it every five years to maintain an active status.

Eligibility Requirements for Medical Assistants