Everything You Need to Know About Certified Medical Assistants

Certified Medical assistants are in high demand! In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about certified medical assistants, from job duties to educational requirements.

Checkout this video:

What is a Certified Medical Assistant?

A Certified medical assistant (CMA) is a medical professional who has been certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The AAMA offers voluntary certification to medical assistants who have graduated from an accredited medical assisting program and have passed the CMA Certification/Registration Examination.

The CMA credential signifies that the holder has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of a medical assistant and has met the high standards set forth by the AAMA.

In order to maintain their certification, CMAs must complete 60 continuing education credits every five years.

Duties of a Certified Medical Assistant

There are a variety of duties that a certified medical assistant may be responsible for on any given day. However, some of the most common duties of a CMA include:

• Assisting patients with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and eating
• Taking and recording vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
• Preparing patients for examinations
• Collecting and processing laboratory specimens
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Assisting physicians with patient examinations
• Providing instruction to patients on topics such as wound care and taking medication

Education and Training Requirements

Certified medical assistants (CMAs) are healthcare professionals who perform administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and other healthcare facilities. They are usually responsible for patient care, recordkeeping, billing and insurance processing, scheduling appointments, and other office duties.

Most CMAs have completed a postsecondary education program that lasts about one year. Some programs last up to two years and include an associate degree. These programs typically include classroom instruction and hands-on training in laboratory and clinical settings.

To become a certified medical assistant, students must graduate from an accredited program and pass a national certification exam administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Some states require medical assistants to be licensed or registered.

Certification and Licensure

The certified medical assistant credential is granted by Certifying Boards such as the American Association of Medical Assistants Certification Board (AAMA-CMA) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA-CCMA). After successfully passing a certification exam, medical assistants may use the credential “CMA” (AAMA) or “CCMA” (NHA). Some states also require medical assistants to obtain licensure.

The AAMA-CMA and NHA-CCMA are voluntary, nongovernmental organizations that offer certification to interested medical assistants. Most employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, although certification is not always required. Certification may give medical assistants an advantage when seeking employment and may also lead to higher wages. Employers often reimburse employees for the cost of taking the certification exam.

Obtaining certification requires payment of a fee and passing an exam that covers Medical Terminology Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Medical Law and Ethics, among other topics. Candidates for CMA(AAMA) certification must have completed a Medical Assistant program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Candidates for CCMA(NHA) certification must have completed a health sciences education program approved by either organization OR have at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant.

Both certification organizations offer eligibility verification services for employers. To verify that a medical assistant is currently certified by the AAMA-CMA, call 800/228-2262 or visit www.aama-ntl.org/employers/verifyma.asp. To verify that a medical assistant is currently certified by the NHA-CCMA, call 800/499-9092 or visit www.nhanow.com/verifyccma/.

Salary and Job Outlook

Medical assistants are in high demand due to the increasing complexity of the healthcare industry and an aging population. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

As the demand for healthcare services grows, so does the need for qualified medical assistants. Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The typical duties of a medical assistant include scheduling appointments, taking and recording patients’ vital signs, updating and filing patients’ medical records preparing patients for examination, answering calls, handling correspondence, billing, and coding insurance forms.

Medical assistants must be able to multi-task and be detail oriented. They must have excellent communication skills to interact with patients and other members of the healthcare team. Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate or diploma from an accredited medical assisting program. Some states require certification for certain tasks performed by medical assistants.

What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Medical Assistant?

There are many benefits to becoming a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). CMAs enjoy a high level of job satisfaction and are in great demand. They also earn a good wage and often have excellent benefits.

Certified Medical Assistants are in high demand because they are skilled at performing both clinical and administrative tasks. They are able to take vital signs, draw blood, give injections, and perform other medical procedures. In addition, they are also adept at handling insurance forms and other paperwork. As a result, CMAs are able to work in a variety of medical settings, including doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes

CMAs enjoy high levels of job satisfaction because they have the opportunity to help patients on a daily basis. They often form close relationships with their coworkers and patients and feel a sense of pride in their work. In addition, CMAs often have flexible hours and schedules that allow them to balance their work and personal lives.

CMAs earn a good wage because they possess skills that are in high demand. The median annual salary for CMAs was $32,480 in May 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In addition, many CMAs receive benefits such as health insurance and paid vacation days.

What are the challenges of being a Certified Medical Assistant?

Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They provide administrative support to physicians and other medical professionals, and perform clinical tasks such as taking patient medical histories, measuring vital signs, and administering injections.

However, being a CMA is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is dealing with the constantly changing nature of the healthcare industry. With new technology and treatments being developed all the time, CMAs must be able to adapt to change quickly and effectively.

Another challenge facing CMAs is the increasing level of competition in the healthcare industry. With more and more people wanting to enter the field, CMAs must be able to stand out from the crowd in order to get ahead.

Despite these challenges, being a CMA can be a very rewarding career choice. If you’re up for the challenge, it can be a great way to help others while also furthering your own career.

How can I advance my career as a Certified Medical Assistant?

In order to advance your career as a Certified Medical Assistant, you will need to complete additional training and education. You may also need to obtain certification in a specialty area. Once you have completed these steps, you will be able to apply for higher-level positions within the medical field.

What are the trends affecting Certified Medical Assistants?

The healthcare industry is constantly changing, and that means that the role of the certified medical assistant (CMA) is also changing. As the demand for healthcare services grows, CMAs are increasingly being called upon to provide more comprehensive care. Here are some of the trends affecting certified medical assistants:

1. The rise of technology in healthcare. Technology is changing the way we provide and receive healthcare, and CMAs are on the front lines of this change. From electronic health records to new diagnostic tools, CMAs are using technology to provide better care for their patients.

2. The growing demand for preventative care. As awareness of the importance of preventative care grows, so does the demand for CMAs. CMAs play a key role in providing screenings and vaccinations, as well as teaching patients about lifestyle choices that can help them stay healthy.

3. The aging population. As Baby Boomers age, they will need more healthcare services. This increase in demand will require CMAs to have a broad range of skills and knowledge in order to provide quality care for older adults.

4. The shortage of primary care physicians. The growing demand for healthcare services is outpacing the supply of primary care physicians. This shortage is causing many patients to turn to CMAs for their primary care needs. As a result, CMAs are playing a larger role in coordinating patient care and providing direct patient care themselves.

5. The increasing complexity of patient cases. as chronic illnesses become more prevalent, patients are requiring more complex care from theirCMAs . This trend is likely to continue as we see an increase in conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity .

What should I consider before becoming a Certified Medical Assistant?

There are a few important things to consider before becoming a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). First, it is important to make sure that you have the necessary education and experience. To become a CMA, you must have completed an accredited medical assisting program and passed the certified medical assistant exam.

Second, it is important to understand the scope of practice for CMAs. In most states, CMAs are allowed to perform a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories, measuring vital signs, administering injections, performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), and more. However, there are some tasks that CMAs are not allowed to perform, such as prescribing medication or performing surgery. It is important to understand the scope of practice in your state before becoming a CMA.

Third, it is important to be aware of the continuing education requirements for CMAs. In most states, CMAs are required to complete continuing education every year in order to maintain their certification. The continuing education requirements vary from state to state, so it is important to check with your state Board of Certification for more information.

Becoming a CMA can be a rewarding experience, but it is important to make sure that you are prepared for the challenges that come with the job.