How to Get Medical Assistant Certification Without Going to School
Contents
You can get medical assistant certification without going to school. Follow these steps to get certified and start your new career today!
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Introduction
Medical assistants are in high demand, and many people are interested in pursuing a career in this field. Unfortunately, there can be a lot of confusion about what is required to become a medical assistant While some certification programs do require formal education, it is possible to get certification without going to school.
There are a few different ways to go about getting certified as a medical assistant. One option is to take an accredited certification course. These courses are typically offered by community colleges or technical schools, and they will provide you with the necessary training to take the certification exam.
Another option is to take an online certification course. There are many different providers of these courses, and they can be a great option for those who want the convenience of taking classes from home. However, it is important to make sure that you choose a reputable provider that offers a quality program.
Finally, you can also take the certification exam without taking any formal training course. While this option may be more difficult, it is possible to pass the exam if you have the right preparation and study materials.
What is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is a person who has been trained to perform certain medical tasks. These tasks may include taking medical histories, measuring patients’ vital signs, and giving injections. Medical assistants may also be responsible for scheduling appointments, keeping medical records and billing patients. Most Medical Assistants work in doctors’ offices, but some work in hospitals or other healthcare settings.
Medical assistants are not required to have a certification or license to practice. However, some employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants (CMAs). To become a CMA, you must pass an exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Duties of a medical assistant
Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other medical practitioners. They are often the first point of contact for patients seeking medical care, and they play an important role in ensuring that office operations run smoothly.
While the exact duties of medical assistants vary depending on the size and type of healthcare facility in which they work, there are some common responsibilities that all medical assistants typically perform. These include:
-Answering patient phone calls and scheduling appointments
-Taking and recording patient medical histories
-preparing patients for examination
-assisting the physician during examinations
-performing routine laboratory tests
-obtaining patient consent for treatment
-instructing patients on post-treatment care plans
-processing insurance forms and billing information
Education and training requirements
To become a medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass a certified medical assistant exam. There are many medical assistant programs available, both online and in-person. However, not all medical assistant programs are created equal. Some programs may take longer to complete than others, and some may not be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
The CAAHEP is the gold standard for accreditation of medical assistant programs, so it is important to make sure that your chosen program is accredited by them. Once you have completed an accredited program, you will then be eligible to sit for the certified medical assistant exam. Passing this exam will give you the title of “certified medical assistant” or “CMA”, which is recognized by most employers.
Certification
There are a few ways that you can get medical assistant certification without going to school. One way is to get your certification through on the job training. This means that you will work closely with a medical assistant who is already certified and learn from them. Another way to get certified is to take online courses or correspondence courses from an accredited institution.
Job outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for medical assistants is good. The bureau projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026. The number of jobs is expected to increase by 29 percent during that time period.
Salary
The average medical assistant salary is $30,590 per year, or $14.71 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This wage is equal to or slightly below the average wage for all occupations in the United States
Pros and cons of becoming a medical assistant
Though it is possible to become certified as a medical assistant without going to school, there are some pros and cons to this route. One of the biggest pros is that it can save you time and money. If you are already working in the medical field in another capacity, this may be a good option for you.
However, there are also some disadvantages. One of the biggest is that employers may be less likely to hire someone who is not certified, as they may see it as a sign that you are not dedicated to the profession. Additionally, those who have gone to school for medical assisting generally have a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the job, and may be better equipped to handle difficult situations.
10 steps to becoming a certified medical assistant
While there are many different paths you can take to become a certified medical assistant, here are 10 steps that will help you on your way.
1. Research the requirements for medical assistant certification in your state. While the requirements vary by state, most states require you to have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete an accredited medical assisting program, and pass an exam.
2. If you have not already done so, obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. You can do this by earning a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or by taking adult education classes.
3. Enroll in an accredited medical assisting program. These programs typically take about one year to complete and cover topics such as anatomy, physiology, and Medical Terminology
4. Upon completion of your medical assisting program, sit for the Certification Examination for Medical Assistants (CMA). This exam is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and is used to certify medical assistants across the United States.
5. Once you have passed the CMA examination, you will be required to maintain your certification by completing continuing education credits every few years. The AAMA offers many different resources to help you meet this requirement, such as online courses and webinars.
6. In some states, certification is not required to work as a medical assistant; however, it may give you an advantage when applying for jobs and may also qualify you for higher pay scales. In addition, some employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants or may require certification as a condition of employment.
7. To find out if certification is required in your state or for specific positions, contact your state’s Board of Medicine or the human resources department at potential employers. Regardless of state requirements or employer preferences, becoming certified demonstrates your commitment to quality patient care and may give you an edge when seeking employment.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to go to school to get medical assistant certification?
A: No, you do not need to go to school to get medical assistant certification. You can take an online course or a correspondence course from an accredited institution. However, going to school can give you a leg up on the competition and provide you with more opportunities for career advancement.
Q: How long does it take to get certified?
A: The length of time it takes to get certified depends on the program you choose. Most accredited online or correspondence courses take between six and twelve weeks to complete.
Q: How much does certification cost?
A: Certification costs vary depending on the program you choose. Generally, online courses are less expensive than correspondence courses, and both are typically less expensive than attending a traditional brick-and-mortar school.
