How to Become a Medical Assistant

A medical assistant career offers many opportunities. If you are wondering how to become a medical assistant, this blog post will give you the information you need to get started on your new career path.

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Introduction

A medical assistant is a multipurpose health professional who performs both clinical and administrative tasks in doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. The duties of a medical assistant may include taking and recording patients’ vital signs, measuring patients’ height and weight, preparing blood samples for laboratory testing, scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, billing insurance companies, and keeping medical records

Medical assistants must have excellent communication skills and be able to work well with patients of all ages. They must be able to follow instructions carefully and complete tasks efficiently. They must also have the physical stamina to stand for long periods of time and lift heavy objects such as medical supplies

Most Medical assistants have at least a high school diploma or equivalent; however, some employers may prefer candidates who have completed a postsecondary training program. Many community colleges offer certificate or diploma programs in medical assisting that can be completed in as little as one year. These programs typically include courses in anatomy, physiology, Medical Terminology office procedures, and computer applications.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

A medical assistant is an important member of the healthcare team who helps provide patient care and support services in a variety of settings, including doctors’ offices, hospitals, clinics, and outpatient facilities. They work closely with physicians and other medical staff to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the office running smoothly. Their duties may include scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, handling billing and coding information, taking patient medical histories and vitals signs, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with procedures and providing instruction on follow-up care. In some states, they may also be able to give injections or perform basic laboratory tests.

Becoming a medical assistant usually requires completing an accredited training program and passing a certified examination. Some programs may offer an associate’s degree or certificate in medical assisting, while others may only offer a diploma. Most programs can be completed in about one year. Some states have additional requirements for medical assistants, such as completing a background check or completing continuing education courses.

Medical Assistant Training and Education

Most medical assistant programs take about one year to complete and result in a certificate, diploma, or an Associate’s degree. Some community colleges offer four-year programs that lead to a Bachelor’s degree in medical assisting. Although not required, certification may make you more attractive to potential employers and may lead to higher pay. The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers a certified medical assistant (CMA) exam

Medical Assistant Certification

Medical assistants can become certified through an accredited program. Certification is not mandatory in all states, but some employers prefer or require certification. The Certification Commission for Medical Assistants (CCMA) and the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offer voluntary certification exams. To be eligible to take the CCMA exam, candidates must have completed a medical assisting program that has been accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Candidates must also have completed a minimum of five years of work experience as a medical assistant, or a combination of education and work experience totaling five years. To be eligible to take the AAMA exam, candidates must have graduated from a medical assisting program accredited by either CAAHEP or ABHES, or have completed a minimum of two years of work experience as a medical assistant, or a combination of education and work experience totaling four years.

Medical Assistant Salary and Job Outlook

How much does a medical assistant make?
The median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2019. 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 $24,560, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $49,630.

Medical assistants held about 718,600 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of medical assistants were as follows:
-Offices of physicians
-General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private
-Offices of other health practitioners
-Outpatient care centers
-Employment services

Medical assistants are expected to experience very good job prospects overall for the decade. Candidates with formal education and certification should have the best prospects for employment.

Steps to Becoming a Medical Assistant

Although there is no formal education required to become a medical assistant, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited training program. Below are the steps you will need to take if you want to pursue a career in medical assisting.

Step 1: Complete a Medical Assistant Training Program
There are several different types of medical assistant training programs available, including certificate, diploma, and degree programs. Most programs can be completed in less than two years and will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform your duties as a medical assistant.

Step 2: Pass the Certification Exam
Once you have completed your training program, you will then need to pass the certification exam in order to become a certified medical assistant (CMA). The certification process is different in each state, but most states require that you pass an exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Step 3: Find a Job
Once you have passed your certification exam, you will then be able to start searching for employment as a medical assistant. There are many different types of healthcare facilities that employ medical assistants, so you should have no trouble finding a job that suits your skills and interests.

The Medical Assistant Profession

The medical assistant profession is one of the fastest growing in the United States With an aging population and advances in medicine, there is a growing need for qualified medical assistants. If you are considering a career in medical assisting, there are a few things you should know.

First, medical assistants are not doctors or nurses. They are trained professionals who provide support to doctors and nurses in a variety of tasks. These tasks can include taking medical histories, administering medications, performing laboratory tests, and helping with patient care.

Second, while most medical assistants work in hospitals or clinics, some work in private practices or other healthcare settings. No matter where they work, medical assistants must be able to effectively communicate with patients, doctors, and other healthcare providers.

Third, medical assistants must be detail-oriented and have strong organizational skills. This is because they often have to keep track of a lot of information, including patients’ Medical records and appointments.

Fourth, while most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, some employers prefer candidates who have completed an accredited training program. There are many accredited programs available, both online and in traditional classroom settings.

Fifth, after completing an accredited training program, medical assistants must pass a national certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once certified, they must renew their certification every few years by completing continuing education courses or retaking the exam.

If you are interested in a career as a medical assistant, be sure to research the profession thoroughly before making any decisions. Once you have decided that this is the right career for you, follow the steps above to get started on your path to becoming a certified medical assistant.

Medical Assistant Duties

Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory (outpatient) settings such as medical offices and clinics. Their responsibilities vary greatly from office to office, depending on the size and location of the practice, as well as the practitioners’ specialty(ies). Although many of their duties are administrative, such as answering phones and scheduling appointments, they also perform many clinical tasks, such as taking medical histories and recording vital signs. In some states, they may even be allowed to administer medications and perform limited diagnostic tests, under the supervision of a licensed physician or nurse.

No matter what their precise job duties may be, all medical assistants must possess excellent customer service skills and a genuine desire to help others. If you have these qualities, and are interested in working in the healthcare field, then a career as a medical assistant may be right for you!

Medical Assistant Skills

In order to become a medical assistant, one must have certain skills. These skills include:
-Answering phones
-Scheduling appointments
-Preparing patients for examination
-Taking medical histories
-Recording vital signs
-Drawing blood
-Administering medications and injections
-Assisting with minor surgeries
-Instructing patients on diet, exercise, and hygiene

Medical Assistant Jobs

Medical assistants are in high demand across the United States. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the medical assisting field will grow by 29% between 2019 and 2029 – much faster than the average for all occupations.1

As a medical assistant, you will play a vital role in keeping healthcare facilities running smoothly and efficiently. You will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including administrative duties, clinical tasks, and patient care.

If you are interested in a career as a medical assistant, there are a few steps you will need to take:

1. Complete a Medical Assistant Training Program
2. Earn Certification from an Accredited Program
3. Get Licensed or Registered in Your State (if required)
4. Start Searching for Medical Assistant Jobs

For more information on each of these steps, please read on.