How to Become a Certified Registered Medical Assistant

This blog will show you how to become a certified registered medical assistant

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Introduction

The role of a medical assistant is one of the most important in healthcare. They play a vital role inpatient care, working alongside doctors and nurses to provide high quality care. If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant you’ll need to complete an accredited training program and pass the Certification Examination for Medical assistants (CMA). In this guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know about how to become a certified Registered Medical Assistant

What is a medical assistant?

A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional who supports the work of physicians and other health care providers. Medical Assistants work in ambulatory care settings such as physician’s offices, clinics, and group practices. They also work in hospitals and other inpatient facilities. Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate or diploma from an accredited medical assisting program. Some states have laws that require medical assistants to be certified or registered.

Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks. The duties of medical assistants vary from state to state and from one type of facility to another. Generally, medical assistants:
-Take patient histories and record vital signs
-Help patients understand their health problems
-Prepare patients for examination
-Assist the physician during examinations
-Instruct patients about medications and special diets
-Arrange for laboratory tests and x-rays
-Perform basic laboratory tests
-Protect patients from infection
– Sterilize instruments
– Give injections
– Draw blood
– Take electrocardiograms
– Remove sutures -Change dressings -Care for patients who have been injured in accidents

Duties of a medical assistant

Medical assistants are unlicensed health care professionals who perform many routine administrative and clinical tasks in doctor’s offices, hospitals and other outpatient facilities. They work under the supervision of a licensed health care provider, such as a physician, nurse or physician assistant.

While their duties vary by state law and the policies of their employer, medical assistants typically perform some or all of the following tasks:
-Take patient medical histories and vital signs
-Prepare patients for examination
-Assist with diagnostic procedures
-Give patient injections
-Collect and prepare laboratory specimens
-Perform basic laboratory tests
-Instruct patients about medication and special diets
-Schedule patient appointments
-Arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services
-Handle correspondence
-Billing and coding information for insurance purposes
In some states, medical assistants may also be allowed to administer medications and give immunizations under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider.

Education and training

Most states have certification and licensure requirements for medical assistants. Educational requirements range from a high school diploma to completion of an accredited postsecondary medical assisting program. Most certificate and diploma programs take about 1 year to complete, although some may last up to 2 years. Some associate degree programs in medical assisting take 2 years to complete.

Certification

There are a few steps you need to follow in order to become a certified registered medical assistant, but it is a process that is definitely doable if you are up for the challenge. The first step is to graduate from an accredited medical assistant program. Once you have done that, you will then need to pass an exam administered by either the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association. After you have passed the exam, you will be officially certified and registered as a medical assistant!

Job outlook

The job outlook for medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The aging baby-boom generation will need more medical care, and as a result, there will be an increasing need for all types of healthcare workers, including medical assistants. The employment of medical assistants is expected to grow by 29 percent from 2014 to 2024.

Salary

Salaries for medical assistants vary by experience, geographic location, and place of employment. Those working in physicians’ offices tend to earn slightly more than those working in hospitals. Experienced medical assistants often earn more than entry-level workers. The median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2017. The top 10 percent earned more than $47,350, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $23,630.

Pros and cons of being a medical assistant

There are many pros and cons to being a medical assistant. Some of the pros include:
-The ability to help others in a direct way
-A stable career with room for growth
-Flexible hours and locations
-The opportunity to work in a variety of medical settings

Some of the cons of being a medical assistant include:
-The emotional toll of dealing with sick and injured patients on a daily basis
-The physical demands of the job, which can be taxing on the body
-The potential for exposure to contagious diseases
-The need to constantly stay up to date on new medical procedures and treatments

Is medical assisting the right career for you?

There are a few things to consider before you decide if medical assisting is the right career for you.

First, think about whether you have the personality for the job. Medical assistants deal with patients who are often sick, injured, or in pain. They also deal with upset family members and stressed-out doctors and nurses. If you’re the kind of person who gets frazzled easily, medical assisting may not be the right career for you.

Second, consider whether you have the academic background for the job. Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, and many have completed a formal training program. If you don’t have a high school diploma or equivalent, you may still be able to get a job as a medical assistant, but it will be more difficult to find work.

Third, think about your career goals. Medical assisting is a great entry-level position if you’re interested in working in the medical field but aren’t sure what you want to do long-term. It can also be a good career choice if you’re not interested in going to college or if you want to work while you’re taking classes.

If you’re still not sure if medical assisting is right for you, talk to a doctor or medical assistant and ask about their experience and what they like (and don’t like) about their job. You can also shadow a medical assistant for a day to get a better sense of what the job is really like.

How to become a certified registered medical assistant

If you want to pursue a career in the healthcare field, becoming a certified registered medical assistant (CRMA) is a great option. Medical assistants play a vital role in healthcare teams by providing support to doctors and other clinicians. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking patient histories, measuring vital signs, and assisting with procedures.

To become a CRMA, you need to complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass the national certification exam. After you earn your certification, you must maintain it by completing continuing education credits. Keep reading to learn more about how to become a certified registered medical assistant.