How to Get Certified to Be a Medical Assistant

How to Get Certified to Be a medical assistant Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the office of a physician, podiatrist, or other health practitioner running smoothly.

Checkout this video:

Introduction

Medical Assistants are healthcare professionals that work in outpatient facilities, such as doctor’s offices and clinics. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the office running smoothly. If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant you’ll need to complete an accredited training program and pass a certification exam.

What is a medical assistant?

A medical assistant is a person who has been trained to provide basic medical care and perform routine office tasks in a doctor’s office or other medical facility. Medical assistants usually work under the supervision of a licensed health care provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or physician assistant.

While there is no formal education requirement to become a medical assistant, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited medical assisting program. These programs are typically offered by community colleges and vocational schools.

The duties of a medical assistant

The duties of a medical assistant vary from office to office, but there are some common duties that are typically performed by medical assistants. These common duties include taking and recording patients’ vital signs, such as weight, height, blood pressure, temperature, and pulse rate; collecting and preparing laboratory specimens; scheduling appointments; and handling correspondence. Medical assistants may also be responsible for billing and coding insurance forms, handling minor medical procedures, such as removing sutures and administering electrocardiograms (EKGs), and providing patient education.

The educational requirements of a medical assistant

Medical assistants are in demand now more than ever, as our population ages and the need for medical care increases. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2024. If you’re thinking of a career in healthcare, becoming a medical assistant is a great choice. But what educational requirements must you meet?

In short, you must complete an accredited postsecondary educational program to earn your certification as a medical assistant. These programs typically take about one year to complete, though some may last up to two years. Some programs may also offer externships or clinical rotations, which give you the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a medical setting.

Once you’ve completed your educational program, you’ll need to pass an examination administered by either the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association. After passing this exam, you’ll be officially certified as a medical assistant and can begin your career!

The certification process for medical assistants

Medical assistants are unlicensed healthcare professionals who perform administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. Although they do not need a license to work, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited medical assistant program and obtained certification from a professional organization such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

The certification process for medical assistants is voluntary, but it shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform your job effectively. To be eligible for certification, you must graduated from an accredited medical assistant program and pass a exams.

There are two types of exams that you can take to become certified: the Certified Medical Assistant Exam (CMA) or the Registered Medical Assistant Exam (RMA). The CMA exam is administered by the AAMA, and the RMA exam is administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Both exams cover similar topics, but the CMA exam is more comprehensive.

Once you pass either exam, you will be credentialed as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), respectively. There is no difference in the level of skill or knowledge required for each credential; however, some employers may prefer one credential over the other.

Although certification is not required to work as a medical assistant, it can give you a competitive edge in the job market. In addition, many states require medical assistants to complete continuing education credits every year to maintain their certification.

The benefits of being certified as a medical assistant

There are many benefits to becoming certified as a medical assistant. certification ensures that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the duties of a medical assistant. In addition, certified medical assistants often earn higher salaries than non-certified medical assistants.

Becoming certified also shows potential employers that you are serious about your career as a medical assistant. Many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants because they know that these employees have met certain standards.

There are several ways to become certified as a medical assistant. The most common way is to pass the Certification Examination for Medical Assistants, which is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. To be eligible to take this exam, you must have graduated from an accredited medical assisting program and completed at least one year of work as a medical assistant.

The different types of medical assistant certification

There are several types of medical assistant certification: Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) and Certified Medical Assistant-Board Certified (CMA-BC). Each type of medical assistant certification has different requirements.

Registered Medical Assistants (RMAs) need to pass an exam administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). To be eligible to take the exam, RMAs must have completed a medical assisting program that has been accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Once they have passed the exam, RMAs need to renew their certification every three years.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMAs) need to pass an exam administered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA). To be eligible for CCMA certification, candidates must have completed a medical assisting program that has been accredited by either CAAHEP or ABHES. Candidates who have not completed an accredited program can still take the CCMA exam if they have at least five years of full-time work experience as a medical assistant. CCMAs need to renew their certification every four years.

National Certified Medical Assistants (NCMAs) need to pass an exams administered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). To be eligible for NCMA certification, candidates must have completed a medical assisting program that has been accredited by either CAAHEP or ABHES. Candidates who have not completed an accredited program can still take the NCMA exam if they have at least five years of full-time work experience as a medical assistant. NCMAs need to renew their certification every four years.

Certified Medical Assistants-Board Certified (CMA-BCs) are certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible for CMA-BC certification, candidates must have completed a medical assisting program that has been accredited by either CAAHEP or ABHES. CMAs need to renew their certification every 60 months.

How to maintain your medical assistant certification

Renewal and continuing education
To renew your certification, you will need to complete continuing education (CE) credits. The number of CE credits required varies by state, but is typically between 10 and 20 per year. You can find approved CE courses in medical assistant magazines, through certified medical assistant organizations, or from many different online providers.

It is important to keep your certificate up-to-date and renew it on time to maintain your credential as a medical assistant. Letting your certification lapse can make it difficult to find a job, as most employers require medical assistants to be certified. If you have any questions about how to renew your certification or where to find approved CE courses, please contact your state’s medical board or the American Association of Medical Assistants.

The importance of continuing education for medical assistants

Medical assistants are in high demand and the need for qualified candidates is expected to continue to grow. To meet the needs of the healthcare industry, medical assistants must be properly trained and certified.

Continuing education is important for medical assistants for several reasons. First, it helps to ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest advancements in the field. Second, it enables them to maintain their certification and keep their skills sharp. Finally, it shows potential employers that they are committed to their career and are willing to invest in their own professional development.

There are a variety of ways for medical assistants to get continuing education credits, including taking courses, attending seminars and conferences, and even completing online modules. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement or other incentives to encourage their employees to continue their education.

If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant, or if you’re already working in the field, be sure to take advantage of continuing education opportunities. It’s an investment in your future that will pay off both professionally and personally.

Resources for medical assistants

There are many nationally recognized organizations that offer certification for medical assistants. Employers may require certification as proof of knowledge and skills, so it is important to research your options and choose the right program for you.

The National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential. To be eligible for the CCMA, candidates must have completed a medical assisting program that has been accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Candidates must also pass a certification exam.

The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. To be eligible for the CMA, candidates must have completed a medical assistant program that has been accredited by either CAAHEP or ABHES. Candidates must also pass a certification exam.

The American Medical Technologists (AMT) offers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential. To be eligible for the RMA, candidates must have completed a medical assistant program that has been accredited by either CAAHEP or ABHES. Candidates must also pass a certification exam.