What to Do After Becoming a Medical Assistant
Contents
- Job Duties of a Medical Assistant
- Medical Assistant Training
- Medical Assistant Certification
- Salary of a Medical Assistant
- Job Outlook for Medical Assistants
- Medical Assistant Jobs
- Medical Assistant Schools
- Online Medical Assistant Programs
- Medical Assistant Externships
- How to Become a Medical Assistant
After you’ve completed your training and become a medical assistant it’s time to start your job search. Here are some tips on what to do next.
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Job Duties of a Medical Assistant
A medical assistant is a vital member of any healthcare team. As a medical assistant you will be responsible for performing a variety of tasks to support the work of doctors and other medical professionals. Your duties will vary depending on the size and type of facility where you work, but may include taking patient histories, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for examination, assisting with procedures, and providing post-operative care. In addition to clinical tasks, you may also be responsible for administrative tasks such as handling insurance paperwork and billing.
The job duties of a medical assistant are both varied and important. If you are considering a career in healthcare, becoming a medical assistant is a great way to get started.
Medical Assistant Training
You’ve completed your accredited medical assistant training and passed your certification exam. Now it’s time to put your education and experience to work. But what does the next step look like? How do you find the right job and make the most of your career?
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin your job search:
-Look for a position that emphasizes patient care. This is the core of what Medical assistants do, so it’s important to find a job that reflects your values.
– Consider your long-term career goals. Do you want to eventually become a certified medical assistant? If so, look for a position that offers opportunities for continuing education and professional development.
– Research the medical assisting job market in your area. Talk to friends, family, and your network of contacts to get an idea of which employers are hiring Medical Assistants
– When you find a few jobs that interest you, take the time to learn more about the company and the specific position. What are the responsibilities of the role? What kind of schedule will you be working? What is the company culture like?
– Once you’ve found a few jobs that seem like a good fit, it’s time to apply! Make sure to tailored your resume and cover letter to each position, highlighting the skills and experience that make you a perfect match for the role.
By following these tips, you can find the right medical assistant job for you and begin your career with confidence!
Medical Assistant Certification
After you have completed a medical assistant training program, the next step is to become certified. Certification for medical assistants is voluntary, but it’s highly recommended because it shows that you have the skills and knowledge to perform your job. The two main certification organizations for medical assistants are the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA). To be eligible for certification, you must have graduated from an accredited medical assistant program and passed a certification exam.
Salary of a Medical Assistant
According to the 2018 Medical Assistants Salary Guide, the median annual salary for a medical assistant is $33,610. The lowest 10 percent earn less than $25,720, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $43,890.
Job Outlook for Medical Assistants
Medical Assistants are in high demand and the job outlook is good. With an aging population and advances in medical technology, the number of medical assistants is expected to grow by 29% between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual salary for medical assistants was $32,480 in 2016.
There are a number of ways to advance your career as a medical assistant. You can specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as pediatrics or geriatrics, or you can become certified in billing and coding or electronic health records. You can also pursue a career as a medical office manager or administrator.
Medical Assistant Jobs
There are many different types of medical assistant jobs. The nature of the job will depend on the employer, the work setting, and the level of experience and training of the medical assistant. However, there are some general duties that are common to many medical assistant jobs.
Medical assistants usually work in physician’s offices, clinics, or hospitals. They may also work in other settings, such as rehabilitation centers, nursing homes or public health organizations. Medical assistants typically perform both administrative and clinical tasks. Administrative tasks may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and handling correspondence. Clinical tasks may include taking and recording vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with procedures, collecting and processing lab specimens, and administering medications.
Medical assistants must be able to perform their duties with accuracy and precision. They must be able to keep confidential patient information private at all times. They must also be able to work well under pressure and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously.
Medical Assistant Schools
It is important to research different medical assistant schools before enrolling in a program to ensure that you are getting the best possible education. After you have graduated from a medical assistant program, there are several things you can do to increase your chances of getting hired. You can Volunteer, job shadow, or do an externship in order to get experience in the field. You should also join the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and get certified by the Certifying Board of the AAMA (CMA).
Online Medical Assistant Programs
There are many online medical assistant programs available. Below is a list of some of the more popular ones:
1. American Medical Association (AMA)
2. National Healthcare Association (NHA)
3. American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
4. National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Medical Assistant Externships
After you have successfully completed a medical assistant program, the next step may be to find an externship. An externship provides the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a medical setting. Many times, an externship can lead to a full-time job offer from the facility where the externship took place.
Externships are typically unpaid positions, but some facilities may offer a stipend to help offset the cost of living expenses. The length of an externship can vary, but most last between three and six months. Some facilities require that you work a certain number of hours per week, while others allow you to set your own schedule. You should discuss the details of your externship with the facility prior to beginning your placement.
Most medical assistant programs include an externship as part of the curriculum, so you may have already completed this step. However, if you did not participate in an externship as part of your program, or if you are looking for additional experience, there are several ways to find an externship opportunity.
One way to find an externship is through your school’s career services office. Many schools maintain relationships with local medical facilities and can help connect you with an externship opportunity. You can also search for externships online, or contact medical facilities directly to inquire about opportunities.
Before beginning your search for anexternship, it is important to have a clear idea of what you are looking for in a placement. Do you want to work in a hospital or clinic? Do you have a preference for a particular type of medicine? Knowing what you want will help you narrow down your search and find the best possible placement for your needs.
How to Become a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are in high demand. They work in hospitals, physician’s offices, and other healthcare facilities. If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant, here’s what you need to do:
1. Get a high school diploma or equivalent. You don’t need a college degree to become a medical assistant, but you will need a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED.
2. Complete an accredited medical assisting program. There are many schools that offer medical assisting programs, but only accredited programs will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful medical assistant. To find an accredited program near you, check out the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) website or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) website.
3. Pass the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam. Once you have completed an accredited medical assisting program, you will need to pass the CMA exam to earn your certification. The CMA exam is administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To learn more about the CMA exam, visit the AAMA website.
4. Get licensed or registered in your state (if required). Some states require medical assistants to be licensed or registered. To find out if your state has licensure or registration requirements, check out the American Medical Association’s Map of State Medical Assistant Licensure Requirements or contact your state’s Board of Medicine.
5. Start your career! Once you have completed all of the above steps, you can begin your career as a medical assistant!