Certified Medical Assistant Job Description for Resume
Contents
- Introduction
- Duties and Responsibilities of a Certified Medical Assistant
- Skills and Qualifications of a Certified Medical Assistant
- Education and Training for a Certified Medical Assistant
- Job Outlook for a Certified Medical Assistant
- Salary and Benefits of a Certified Medical Assistant
- Tips for Writing a Certified Medical Assistant Resume
- Examples of Certified Medical Assistant Resumes
- Certified Medical Assistant Certification
- Frequently Asked Questions about Certified Medical Assistants
If you’re interested in becoming a certified medical assistant it’s important to know what the job entails. This certified medical assistant job description for resume will give you a good idea of the duties and responsibilities you’ll be expected to perform.
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Introduction
A medical assistant job description for resume should include a detailed list of the duties and responsibilities associated with the position. Medical assistants are responsible for providing support to physicians and other medical staff in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments, taking medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting with minor office procedures. In some cases, they may also be responsible for handling billing and insurance claims.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Certified Medical Assistant
Clinical Duties:
Preparing treatment rooms for patient examinations, maintaining equipment, stocking supplies, and often taking on additional clerical duties.
-Answering patients’ calls and questions
-Scheduling and confirming appointments
-Update and file patient medical records
-Take and record patients’ vitals signs
-Administer injections per physician orders
-Collect blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens per physician orders
-Instruct patients on preparing for x-rays, taking their own blood pressure, or other at home tests or treatments
Leading in prepping patients for examination by removing clothing and draping them with a gown or cloth. National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certified medical assistants can perform basic laboratory tests on site. They might collect fluid samples from patients to test for staph infections or urinalysis. They may also oversee the work of medical assistants who have not yet been certified.
Skills and Qualifications of a Certified Medical Assistant
A certified medical assistant (CMA) is a multi-skilled health professional who works alongside physicians, nurses and other health care personnel in a variety of clinical settings. A CMA’s job description involves performing both administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of medical practitioners running smoothly.
The skills and qualifications required for the medical assistant job description vary from state to state, but there are some that are common to most CMAs. To start with, a CMA should have excellent interpersonal skills as they will be dealing with patients on a daily basis. They should also have good organizational skills to be able to keep the office running smoothly and efficiently. In terms of educational qualifications, most CMAs have at least completed high school, although some have gone on to complete postsecondary education programs specifically for medical assistants.
In terms of specific duties, a CMA’s job description may include any or all of the following: greeting patients and visitors; scheduling appointments; taking patient histories and vital signs; preparing patients for examinations; assisting with routine procedures; updating patient records; billing and coding insurance forms; ordering supplies; and sterilizing equipment. In addition, many CMAs also perform basic laboratory tasks such as collecting blood and urine samples and performing simple laboratory tests.
Education and Training for a Certified Medical Assistant
A certified medical assistant (CMA) is a healthcare professional who works primarily in outpatient settings such as clinics and doctor’s offices. CMAs typically report to the office manager or nurse on staff, and their duties include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, collecting patient medical history and insurance information, taking patient vital signs, preparing exam rooms, and assisting the physician with patient exams. They may also administer vaccinations and injections, perform venipunctures, give patient instruction on home care and handle basic lab work.
Most CMAs have completed a postsecondary certified medical assistant program that takes about one year to complete. Some states require CMAs to be licensed or registered; requirements vary by state. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have earned certification from an accredited organization such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the National Healthcare Association (NHA), or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). To earn certification, candidates must pass a national exam administered by one of these organizations.
Job Outlook for a Certified Medical Assistant
The outlook for a certified medical assistant is very good. The demand for medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth will be due to an aging population and the related increase in demand for healthcare services. Certified medical assistants are important members of the healthcare team, providing administrative and clinical support to doctors and other healthcare professionals in hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
A certified medical assistant job description for resume should include duties such as scheduling appointments, taking patient histories and vitals, insurance verification, laboratory workup, EKG’s, Phlebotomy, EMR documentation, and patient education. In some states, certified medical assistants may also be allowed to perform certain tasks that are normally done by licensed physicians or nurses, such as administering injections or giving oral medications.
Salary and Benefits of a Certified Medical Assistant
As of 2019, the median salary for a certified medical assistant was $33,590 per year, or $16.11 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The lowest 10% earned less than $23,860, while the top 10% made more than $47,880 per year.
In terms of benefits, most certified medical assistants receive health insurance and paid time off from their employers. Some employers may also offer retirement plans and continuing education opportunities.
Tips for Writing a Certified Medical Assistant Resume
If you are seeking a position as a certified medical assistant, it is important to create a resume that accurately reflects your skills and experience in the field. In order to create an effective resume, there are a few tips you should keep in mind.
First, be sure to include any relevant experience you have in the medical field. This could include any clinical experience you have, as well as any relevant coursework you have completed. If you have any certification or licensure, be sure to list this information as well.
Next, be sure to focus on your strengths and abilities that would make you a good fit for the position. For instance, if you have excellent communication skills or are particularly organized, be sure to mention these qualities.
Finally, remember to proofread your resume before sending it off. This will help ensure that there are no errors or typos that could detract from your qualifications.
Examples of Certified Medical Assistant Resumes
While there are many different ways to format a resume, there are certain elements that should be included on every resume, regardless of format. The following are examples of certified medical assistant resumes that include all of the essential elements:
Name and contact information: Include your full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. You may also want to include a link to your professional website or blog, if you have one.
Summary statement: A summary statement is a brief overview of your skills and qualifications. It should be one to two sentences long and should be placed at the top of your resume, under your contact information.
Skills: Include a list of skills relevant to the certified medical assistant position you are applying for. Some examples might include: experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, ability to take medical histories and vital signs, knowledge of Medical Terminology etc.
Work history: list your relevant work history in reverse chronological order. Include the name and location of each employer, as well as your job title(s) and dates of employment. For each position, you should also include a brief description of your duties and responsibilities. If you have relevant volunteer experience or internships, you can include these as well.
Education: Include any relevant educational degrees or certification programs that you have completed. For example: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Associate’s Degree in Medical Assisting, etc.
If you have any additional questions about what to include on your resume, feel free to consult with a professional resume writer or career coach.
Certified Medical Assistant Certification
Certification for medical assistants is not required in all states, but many employers prefer to hire those who are certified. There are several certification options available, but the most common is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To become a CMA, you must successfully complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass a certification exam.
Once you have completed an accredited medical assistant program and passed the CMA exam, you will need to stay up-to-date on your certification by renewing it every 60 months. The renewal process includes completing continuing education (CE) credits and paying a renewal fee.
Frequently Asked Questions about Certified Medical Assistants
Q: What does a certified medical assistant do?
A: A certified medical assistant (CMA) is a health care professional who is trained to provide both clinical and administrative support to patients and physicians in a variety of health care settings. As a CMA, you may be responsible for tasks such as taking medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting physicians with procedures, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and insurance paperwork.
Q: How do I become a certified medical assistant?
A: In order to become a certified medical assistant, you must first complete an accredited training program. Once you have completed your training, you will then need to pass theCertified Medical Assistant Exam administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once you have passed the exam, you will be officially certified and will be able to begin seeking employment as a medical assistant.
Q: What are the duties of a certified medical assistant?
A: Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) are responsible for providing both clinical and administrative support to patients and physicians in a variety of health care settings. As a CMA, your duties may include taking medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting physicians with procedures, scheduling appointments, handling billing and insurance paperwork.
Q: How much does a certified medical assistant make?
A: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for medical assistants was $31,540 in May 2016. However, salaries can vary depending on factors such as experience level, geographic location, and type of employer.