How to Become a Medical Assistant at LCCC
Contents
- Introduction: What is a Medical Assistant?
- Duties of a Medical Assistant
- The Importance of a Medical Assistant
- The Education and Training Required to Become a Medical Assistant
- The Certification Process for Medical Assistants
- The Job Market for Medical Assistants
- The Salary and Benefits of Medical Assistants
- The Future of Medical Assisting
- 10 Reasons to Become a Medical Assistant
- 5 Tips for a Successful Career as a Medical Assistant
If you are looking for a career in the medical field, you may want to consider becoming a medical assistant.
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Introduction: What is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant is a vital member of the healthcare team. Medical assistants work alongside physicians and other medical professionals to provide care and support to patients. They are responsible for performing a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories, recording vital signs, scheduling appointments, and assisting with office procedures.
Becoming a medical assistant is a great way to enter the healthcare field. Medical assistants can find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices. And, with the aging population and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act the demand for medical assistants is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, read on for more information about what you can expect from this rewarding career.
Duties of a Medical Assistant
The duties of a medical assistant are both clinical and administrative in nature. Typical clinical duties performed by medical assistants include taking patient histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting the physician during the exam, and performing basic laboratory tests. Administrative duties performed by medical assistants include scheduling appointments, greeting patients, handling correspondence, billing, and coding for insurance purposes.
The Importance of a Medical Assistant
A medical assistant is an important member of a healthcare team. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including patient care, administrative duties, and clinical tasks.
Medical assistants must be able to multitask and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. They must have excellent communication skills and be able to work well with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team.
If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, LCCC’s health care Careers program can provide you with the training you need to be successful in this rewarding career.
The Education and Training Required to Become a Medical Assistant
Becoming a medical assistant is a great way to enter the healthcare field. Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of doctors and other medical professionals. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, this guide will provide you with information on the education and training required to pursue this career.
To become a medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited medical assisting program. These programs are typically offered at community colleges and vocational schools. Most programs take about two years to complete, although some accelerated programs can be completed in as little as one year.
In addition to completing an accredited medical assisting program, you will also need to obtain certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible for certification, you must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and pass the AAMA Certification Exam. Once you have obtained certification, you will need to renew it every few years by completing continuing education credits.
The Certification Process for Medical Assistants
The certification process for medical assistants is not as complicated as one might think. In order to become certified, there are a few steps that must be completed. These steps include taking an accredited medical assistant program, passing the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, and then maintaining certification through continuing education. Although certification is not required in all states, it is always recommended because it demonstrates to employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of a medical assistant.
Taking an accredited medical assistant program is the first step towards becoming certified. There are many accredited programs available online and in traditional brick-and-mortar colleges. Once you have completed an accredited program, you will then need to take and pass the CMA exam. The CMA exam is administered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible to take the exam, you must have completed an accredited medical assistant program and meet all other eligibility requirements set forth by the AAMA.
Once you have passed the CMA exam, you will then need to maintain your certification through continuing education. every five years, medical assistants must complete 60 hours of continuing education in order to renew their certification. Continuing education can be obtained through many different sources, such as attending seminars, taking online courses, or reading relevant publications. Maintaining your certification demonstrates your commitment to lifelong learning and keeping up with the latest developments in the field of medical assisting.
The Job Market for Medical Assistants
The medical assistant occupation is one of the fastest-growing in the United States with an expected growth rate of 29% between 2019 and 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means that there will be an estimated 179,600 new medical assistant jobs created during this time period.
This growth can be attributed to several factors, including an aging baby boomer population that is living longer and needing more medical care, as well as a growing number of women entering the workforce who want careers in healthcare.
Medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare team by performing both clinical and administrative tasks, such as taking patient histories and vital signs, scheduling appointments, handling insurance paperwork, and assisting physicians with procedures.
If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, Laramie County Community College (LCCC) offers a Medical Assistant certificate program that can be completed in as little as one year. The program includes both classroom and laboratory instruction, as well as an externship component where students gain real-world experience working in a medical office setting.
upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Successful completion of the exam allows students to use the CMA credential after their name, which is a valuable asset when seeking employment.
For more information about LCCC’s Medical Assistant certificate program, visit our website or contact our Admissions office at 307-777-7500.
The Salary and Benefits of Medical Assistants
Medical assistants are in high demand and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this profession will grow by nearly 30 percent between 2016 and 2026. If you’re interested in a career in healthcare, becoming a medical assistant is a great option.
Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) offers a Medical Assistant associate degree and certificate program that can be completed in as little as two semesters. The curriculum includes coursework in Medical Terminology biology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and medical office procedures. Students also complete an externship to gain hands-on experience in a real-world medical setting.
Medical assistants are employed in doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking patient medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, assisting physicians with procedures, scheduling appointments and handling billing and insurance paperwork.
The median annual salary for medical assistants was $32,480 in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries will vary based on factors such as experience, location and employer. Many medical assistants also receive benefits such as health insurance paid time off and retirement plans.
If you’re ready to start your career as a medical assistant, LCCC can help you get there. Visit lccc.edu/medicalassistant or call 610-799-1575 for more information about the program.
The Future of Medical Assisting
The medical profession is constantly evolving and as a result, the demand for qualified medical assistants is also on the rise. A career as a medical assistant can be both personally and professionally rewarding, and those who are interested in pursuing this field can find plenty of opportunities to do so.
Lorain County Community College offers a comprehensive Medical Assistant program that can help students prepare for a successful career in the medical field. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform tasks such as taking patient histories, measuring vital signs, administering injections and assisting with minor surgical procedures.
Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam, which is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. Those who successfully pass the exam will be credentialed as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and will be able to pursue job opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings.
10 Reasons to Become a Medical Assistant
There are many reasons to become a medical assistant, but here are 10 of the most common reasons our students cite:
1. Medical assistants make a difference in patients’ lives every day.
2. Medical assistants are in high demand and the job outlook is excellent.
3. Medical assistants have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to private practices.
4. Medical assistants can specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as pediatrics or geriatrics.
5. As a medical assistant, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to keep people healthy.
6. Medical assistants can advance their careers by becoming certified or by pursuing additional education.
7. Medical assistants earn competitive salaries and often receive benefits such as health insurance and paid vacation time.
8. Medical assisting is a challenging and rewarding career that offers new challenges every day.
9. As a medical assistant, you will be part of a healthcare team that provides vital services to patients.
5 Tips for a Successful Career as a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are in high demand across the country. If you’re thinking about starting a career in this field, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll give you five tips to help you get started on a successful career as a medical assistant.
1. Research the medical assistant profession.
Before you commit to a career as a medical assistant, it’s important to do your research and make sure that this is the right profession for you. We recommend taking the time to shadow or observe a medical assistant in their work environment, and reading up on the profession to get a better understanding of what it entails.
2. Get your education and training from an accredited institution.
Medical assisting is a regulated profession, which means that in order to practice as a medical assistant, you must have your education and training from an accredited institution. There are many great schools across the country that offer accredited programs in medical assisting – do your research to find the one that’s right for you.
3. Upon graduation, earn your certification as a medical assistant.
While not all states require certification for medical assistants, many employers prefer or require it. Certification shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful medical assistant. The two main certifying bodies for medical assistants are the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To earn your certification, you must pass an exam administered by one of these organizations.
4. Get experience in the field of medicine.
While working as a medical assistant, you will gain valuable experience in the field of medicine that will be beneficial in your future career. We recommend seeking out opportunities to shadow or observe different clinicians within your facility, such as doctors, nurses, or other allied health professionals. This will give you a well-rounded view of how various roles function within the healthcare system and help you determine which area interests you most. You might also consider volunteering at a local clinic or hospital; many facilities offer volunteer opportunities for those interested in pursuing healthcare careers.
5 . Join professional organizations for medical assistants .
Once you start working as a medical assistant, we recommend joining professional organizations for medical assistants, such as the AAMA or NHA mentioned earlier