What is a NHA Medical Assistant?
Contents
- What is a NHA Medical Assistant?
- The duties of a NHA Medical Assistant
- The educational requirements of a NHA Medical Assistant
- The work environment of a NHA Medical Assistant
- The salary of a NHA Medical Assistant
- The career outlook for a NHA Medical Assistant
- The pros and cons of being a NHA Medical Assistant
- 10 things you didn’t know about NHA Medical Assistants
- FAQ’s about NHA Medical Assistants
- 5 top tips for aspiring NHA Medical Assistants
A NHA medical assistant is a professional who has completed an accredited medical assisting program and has passed the national certification exam.
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What is a NHA Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants are allied health professionals who support the work of physicians and other health care providers. They perform administrative and clinical tasks that help to keep medical offices and clinics running smoothly.
NHA certified Medical assistants have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in the field of medical assisting through successful completion of a nationally recognized certification examination. The NHA Medical Assistant certification is recognized by employers across the United States as a mark of excellence.
The duties of a NHA Medical Assistant
As a NHA medical assistant, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks. These may include greeting and scheduling patients, verifying insurance benefits, preparing and maintaining patient medical records and assisting in exam room set-up and clean-up. You may also be responsible for answering phones, stocking exam rooms, and scheduling appointments. In some cases, you may even be responsible for assisting the doctor with procedures or administering injections.
The educational requirements of a NHA Medical Assistant
Though a medical assistant’s duties may vary depending on the state in which they work, most medical assistants have completed a formal education, which typically lasts somewhere between six and eight weeks. In order to receive their certification, medical assistants must pass an exam administered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA).
The work environment of a NHA Medical Assistant
NHA medical assistants typically work in outpatient medical facilities such as clinics and doctor’s offices. their workdays usually include a mix of administrative tasks and direct patient care. They might spend part of their day answering phones, scheduling appointments, and verifying insurance benefits. At other times, they might take patients’ vital signs, administer injections or IVs, collect lab samples, or perform basic diagnostic tests. Medical assistants who work in larger facilities might specialize in a particular area of care, such as pediatrics or optometry.
The salary of a NHA Medical Assistant
NHA medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They work alongside doctors and nurses to provide quality patient care. In addition to their clinical duties, they also perform administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and handling patient records.
Their salaries vary depending on their geographic location, years of experience, and the type of facility they work in. The average salary for a NHA medical assistant is $32,000 per year.
The career outlook for a NHA Medical Assistant
The National Healthcare Association (NHA) is a non-profit organization that provides certification for medical assistants. The NHA offers two types of certification: the certified medical assistant (CMA) and the registered medical assistant (RMA). To be eligible for certification, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assistant program and pass an exam.
The outlook for a career as a NHA Medical Assistant is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average occupation. This growth is due to an increasing number of aging Baby Boomers who require more medical care as they age, and a corresponding increase in the number of physicians and other healthcare providers who will need support staff.
The pros and cons of being a NHA Medical Assistant
There are pros and cons to being a NHA Medical Assistant. One of the pros is that you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of patients. You will also be able to work in a variety of settings, such as doctor’s offices, clinics, and hospitals. Another pro is that you will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of medical conditions and treatments.
One of the cons of being a NHA Medical Assistant is that you may have to work long hours. You may also have to work weekends and holidays. Another con is that you may not make as much money as you would if you were a licensed medical doctor or nurse.
10 things you didn’t know about NHA Medical Assistants
NHA certified medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory care settings such as physicians’ offices, clinics and group practices. They perform both clinical and administrative tasks. Clinical responsibilities include taking patient histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting with procedures, performing selected diagnostic tests and providing patient education. Administrative responsibilities may include scheduling appointments, maintaining Medical records billing and coding insurance forms, handling correspondence and performing bookkeeping tasks.
As a medical assistant, you will be an important member of the healthcare team, working closely with physicians and other health professionals to provide quality patient care. You will have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them stay healthy and get the medical care they need.
If you are interested in a career as a medical assistant, here are 10 things you should know:
1. Medical assistants are in high demand. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 23 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.*
2. Medical assistants can earn a good salary. The median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2019.*
3) Medical assistants need to be able to multitask. As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for performing both clinical and administrative tasks. This means that you need to be organized and able to juggle multiple tasks at the same time.
4) Medical assistants need to have good people skills. One of your main responsibilities as a medical assistant will be working with patients. This means that you need to have excellent communication skills and be able to put people at ease.
5) Medical assistants need to be detail-oriented. Another important responsibility of medical assistants is maintaining accurate medical records This requires attention to detail and precision in your work.
6) Medical assistants need to be able to handle stress well. Working in the healthcare field can be stressful at times, so it’s important that you are able to handle stress effectively.
7) Medical assistants need basic computer skills. In today’s world, almost all businesses use computers in some way or another. As a medical assistant, you will need to use basic computer skills such as word processing and email on a daily basis.
8) Many employers require medical assistants to have certification from an accredited program. While not all employers require certification, many prefer or require it. Certification shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful medical assistant. National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers several different certification options for medical assistants, including the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified EKG Technician (CET) nationally recognized credentials demonstrating your commitment to being the best possible MA possible! 9) Being certified may help you get hired faster or earn a higher salary. Employers often give preference to candidates who are certified or offer higher salaries
FAQ’s about NHA Medical Assistants
NHA certified medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals who support the delivery of patient care. They work closely with doctors and other health care team members in a variety of clinical and administrative settings.
Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks. Clinical tasks may include taking medical histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, explaining procedures, assisting with procedures, collecting and processing laboratory specimens, and performing basic lab tests. Administrative tasks may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing and coding insurance forms, handling correspondence, and other office duties as needed.
In order to become certified by the National Healthcare Association (NHA), candidates must pass a written exam. The NHA offers study materials to help candidates prepare for the exam. Once certified, medical assistants are required to renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education credits or retake the certification exam.
5 top tips for aspiring NHA Medical Assistants
Here are 5 top tips for aspiring NHA Medical Assistants:
1. Get a degree or certification in medical assisting.
2. Pass the National Healthcare Association (NHA) Certification Examination for Medical Assistants (CMA).
3. Apply to take the NHA MA Recertification Examination every four years.
4. Be a professional and follow the NHA Code of Ethics for Medical Assistants.
5. Get involved in your community and participate in local health fairs and other events.