How to Become a Certified Medical Assistant

Considering a career in the medical field? Find out how to become a certified medical assistant and the steps you’ll need to take to get started.

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Introduction

Medical assistants are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.1 In order to become a medical assistant you will need to complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass a certification exam.

Although not required, certification shows that you have the knowledge and skills required to be a successful medical assistant. There are several certifying organizations that offer medical assistant certification exams, including the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the National Healthcare Association (NHA), and the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

What is a medical assistant?

A medical assistant is a person who has been trained to perform administrative and clinical tasks in a medical office or clinic. Medical assistants are often the first point of contact between patients and the medical staff, and as such, they play a vital role in the smooth running of a medical practice. They may be responsible for tasks such as scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, taking patient histories, recording vital signs, and assisting the physician with exams and procedures. In some states, medical assistants may also be authorized to perform certain medical duties, such as giving injections or drawing blood.

To become a certified medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited training program. After completing your training, you will need to pass a certification exam administered by either the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA). Once you have passed your certification exam, you will be eligible to apply for state certification (if required) and to start working as a medical assistant.

The duties of a medical assistant

Medical assistants are critical members of the health care team. They are responsible for assisting physicians and other providers with patient care, administrative duties, and clinical procedures. In addition, medical assistants must be able to perform their duties in a fast-paced environment and handle a variety of tasks throughout the day.

To become a certified medical assistant, you must complete an accredited training program and pass a certification exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will be required to renew your certification every few years to maintain your credential.

The educational requirements of a medical assistant

There are generally three ways to become a certified medical assistant: education, experience, or a combination of the two.

Education: You can complete a postsecondary educational program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Upon completion of an accredited program, you will then need to pass the Certifying Examination administered by either the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA).

Experience: You can also become a medical assistant through on-the-job training. Some employers may require you to have completed a medical assisting program before they will provide on-the-job training, while others will provide training regardless of whether you have completed a formal educational program. In order to receive certification through experience, you must show that you have been trained in all of the duties and responsibilities required of a medical assistant and that you have performed those duties for at least five years. Once you have met these requirements, you can then take the Certifying Examination administered by either the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA).

A combination of education and experience: You may also become certified through a combination of formal education and on-the-job training. In order to qualify for certification through this route, you must first complete an accredited medical assisting program and then work in the field for at least two years. Once you have met these requirements, you can then take the Certifying Examination administered by either the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA).

The certification process of a medical assistant

There are several steps involved in becoming a certified medical assistant. The certification process typically includes completing an accredited educational program, passing a certification exam, and completing any required continuing education.

Accredited Educational Program
Most medical assistants are certified through a formal educational program. These programs are typically offered at community colleges, technical schools, and some hospitals and medical centers. Programs typically take one to two years to complete and include both classroom and clinical instruction.

Certification Exam
After completing an accredited medical assistant program, candidates must pass a certification exam administered by a nationally recognized certifying organization, such as the National Healthcare Association or the American Association of Medical Assistants. Certification exams test candidates’ knowledge of Medical Terminology anatomy and physiology, patient care procedures, and other topics related to the medical assistant profession.

Continuing Education
Once certified, medical assistants must complete continuing education (CE) courses to maintain their certification. CE courses provide medical assistants with updates on new technology and changes in the healthcare industry. Most certifying organizations require medical assistants to complete a certain number of CE credits every few years to maintain their certification.

The benefits of becoming a certified medical assistant

There are many benefits of becoming a certified medical assistant. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that certified medical assistants generally earn more money than non-certified medical assistants. In addition, certified medical assistants often have better job prospects and are more likely to be promoted within their organization. Being a certified medical assistant also demonstrates a commitment to professional development and a commitment to one’s career. Furthermore, many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants because they have completed an accredited training program and have passed a national certification exam.

The salary of a certified medical assistant

Medical assistants are in demand! The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29% from 2019 to 2029 — much faster than the average for all occupations.1 A career as a medical assistant can be a great choice if you’re looking for a role in healthcare that is both challenging and rewarding.

Medical assistants perform many tasks, including taking and recording patients’ vital signs, updating medical records scheduling appointments, preparing lab specimens for testing and more.2 They also play an important role in educating patients about their health and medication compliance.3

Becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA) is one way to show that you have the knowledge and skills required for the role. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential is awarded by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).4 To earn the CMA credential, candidates must complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass a standardized exam administered by the AAMA.

Earning your CMA credential can give you a competitive edge when seeking employment as a medical assistant. In fact, some employers may require certification as a condition of employment.5 CMAs also earn higher salaries on average than non-certified medical assistants.6

If you’re thinking about becoming a certified medical assistant, here are some steps to get started:

1. Complete an accredited medical assisting program. There are many accredited programs to choose from, so take some time to research your options before making a decision. Be sure to ask about program outcomes, such as pass rates for the CMA exam and job placement rates for graduates.

2. Take and pass the CMA exam administered by the AAMA. The CMA exam is a computer-based test consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection control, patient relations and more.7 Candidates have three chances to pass the exam within two years of completing their medical assisting program.8

3. Maintain your certification through continuing education requirements set by the AAMA Certifying Board. CMAs must complete 60 hours of continuing education every five years to maintain their credential in good standing.9 Continuing education activities can include attending conferences or workshops, completing online courses or taking part in other activities approved by the AAMA Certifying Board

The job outlook of a certified medical assistant

The job outlook of a certified medical assistant is excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2024. The elderly population is expected to grow substantially, which will result in an increase in demand for health services. As a result, medical assistants will be needed to perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep doctors’ offices and other healthcare facilities running smoothly.

The career path of a certified medical assistant

Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. They are often the first point of contact between a patient and a medical practice.

Certified medical assistants (CMAs) have completed an accredited educational program and passed a national certification exam. The credential is awarded by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Becoming a CMA requires completing an accredited medical assisting program and passing the CMA Certification/Recertification Exam. The AAMA offers study materials and practice exams to help candidates prepare for the exam.

Conclusion

In order to become a certified medical assistant, you must first complete an accredited training program. After you have completed your training, you will then need to pass the certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once you have passed the exam, you will be a certified medical assistant and will be able to perform all of the duties of a medical assistant.