How to Get Medical Assistant Certification in New Mexico
Contents
- Introduction
- What is a Medical Assistant?
- The Duties of a Medical Assistant
- Educational Requirements for Medical Assistants
- Certification for Medical Assistants
- The Importance of Certification
- How to Get Medical Assistant Certification in New Mexico
- Renewing Your Certification
- Continuing Education for Medical Assistants
- Resources for Medical Assistants
How to Get medical assistant Certification in New Mexico. There are many schools that offer medical assistant certification in New Mexico.
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Introduction
Medical assistants are in high demand in New Mexico. There are many reasons for this, but the most common one is the aging population. The state is projected to see a 27% increase in the number of residents over the age of 65 by 2030. This demographic shift means that there will be an increased demand for medical services, and Medical Assistants will be needed to help fill that demand.
If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant you’re probably wondering how to get certified. The good news is that it’s not as difficult as you might think. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to get certified as a medical assistant in New Mexico.
First, let’s start with the basics. Medical assistants are unlicensed support personnel who work under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals. They perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep medical offices and clinics running smoothly. In New Mexico, medical assistants can work in any type of healthcare setting, including doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes
The job duties of a medical assistant vary depending on where they work, but they typically include taking patient histories and vital signs, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for exams, assisting with procedures, checking lab results, and handling billing and insurance paperwork. Some medical assistants also specialize in areas such as X-ray technology or phlebotomy (collecting blood samples).
Now that you have a better understanding of what medical assistants do, let’s talk about how to get certified. The first step is to complete an accredited medical assistant program. These programs are typically offered at community colleges and trade schools and take about two years to complete. Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once you have passed the exam, you will be listed on the AAMA website as a CMA-certified medical assistant. You will then need to renew your certification every two years by completing continuing education units (CEUs).
If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant but don’t have the time or money to attend school full-time, there are some other options available to you. Many hospitals offer on-the-job training programs for those who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare but don’t have prior experience working in a hospital setting. These programs typically last between six and 12 weeks and can be a great way to get your foot in the door if you’re uncertain about whether or not this is the right career for you. Check with your local hospital or clinic to see if they offer any on-the-job training programs for medical assistants.
Another option is to become certified as an administrative medical assistant (AAMA). This certification requires less training than becoming a CMA but still gives employers confidence that you have the skills necessary to perform basic tasks such as scheduling appointments and taking patient histories. To become an AAMA-certified medical assistant, you must pass an exam administered by either the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or National Healthcare Association (NHA). Like CMAs, AMAs must also renew their certification every two years by completing CEUs
What is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant is a person who performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep doctors’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities running smoothly. Medical assistants are a vital part of the healthcare team, and their duties can vary depending on the size and type of facility in which they work. In small facilities, medical assistants may be responsible for a wide range of tasks, while in larger facilities they may specialize in one or more areas.
Medical assistants typically have an associate degree or certification from an accredited program. Some states have certification programs for medical assistants, but New Mexico does not currently have a certification program. However, there are several professional organizations that offer certification for medical assistants, and having certification can improve your chances of getting hired or promoted.
If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, you should contact your local community college or vocational school to find out if they offer an accredited program. You can also check with the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), or the National Certification Board for Medical Assistants (NCBMA) to see if they offer any programs in New Mexico.
The Duties of a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the size and type of the practice and the number of physicians and patients. In small practices, medical assistants usually do a little bit of everything, from answering phones and scheduling appointments to taking patients’ medical histories and vital signs, preparing them for examination, handling lab specimens, giving injections, drawing blood, removing sutures, applying casts and assisting with minor office surgeries. In larger practices, medical assistants are likely to specialize in one or two areas of responsibility.
Educational Requirements for Medical Assistants
In order to become a certified medical assistant in the state of New Mexico, there are a few educational requirements that must be met. First, individuals must complete an accredited medical assistant program. These programs can be found at many community colleges and vocational schools throughout the state. After completing an accredited program, students must then pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once these two requirements have been met, individuals will be able to apply for certification through the New Mexico Board of Nursing.
Certification for Medical Assistants
In New Mexico, medical assistants are unlicensed support personnel who work under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks in medical offices and clinics. Duties may include answering telephones, scheduling appointments, greeting patients, updating and filing patient medical records preparing treatment rooms for examinations, and administering medications as directed by a physician.
Most medical assistants have postsecondary education from a vocational school, community college, or career institute. Some states have certification requirements for medical assistants. In New Mexico, there is no state certification or licensure requirement for medical assistants. Employers may require certification from a professional organization such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
The AAMA offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential to candidates who successfully complete an accredited program and pass the CMA examination. The CMA credential is recognized in all 50 states. For more information on medical assisting programs and certification, contact:
American Association of Medical Assistants
20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 1575
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
(312) 899-1500
The Importance of Certification
There are many reasons why you should seek certification as a medical assistant in New Mexico. First, certification is an indication of your commitment to your career and to providing quality patient care. Certification also gives you the opportunity to show employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful medical assistant. Finally, certification can help you advance in your career and earn higher wages.
How to Get Medical Assistant Certification in New Mexico
There are a few steps you need to follow in order to become a certified medical assistant in New Mexico. Certification is not required in New Mexico, but many employers prefer to hire candidates who are certified.
To become certified, you must first graduate from an accredited medical assistant program. Once you have completed your training, you can then take the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants’ (AAMA) Certification Examination.
You must also submit an application to the New Mexico Board of Medical Examiners and pay the required fees. Once your application has been approved, you will be scheduled for an interview with the board.
If you are deemed qualified, you will be issued a certification. You will need to renew your certification every two years by completing continuing education courses and paying the required fees.
Renewing Your Certification
In order to renew your certification as a medical assistant in New Mexico, you will need to complete the following steps:
1. Obtain a new application from the New Mexico Board of Medicine.
2. Complete the renewal application and submit it along with the required fee.
3. Documentation of continuing education credits must be submitted with your renewal application. You must have completed at least 10 hours of continuing education credits within the past year in order to renew your certification.
4. Upon review and approval of your renewal application, you will be issued a new certification card which will be valid for another year.
Continuing Education for Medical Assistants
Most medical assistants in New Mexico choose to become certified through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible for certification, candidates must have graduated from an accredited medical assistant program and completed a minimum of five years of work experience as a medical assistant. Certification is valid for four years, after which time recertification is required.
To recertify, candidates must complete continuing education (CE) courses. The AAMA offers a variety of CE courses online and in-person. In addition, many community colleges and universities offer CE courses that medical assistants can take to fulfill the requirements for recertification.
Resources for Medical Assistants
Becoming a certified medical assistant in New Mexico requires completing an accredited training program and passing a certification exam. There are many resources available to help you through this process, including programs offered by community colleges, technical schools, and online providers.
Most medical assistant programs in New Mexico take about 12 months to complete, although some may be shorter or longer depending on your schedule and other factors. Once you have completed a medical assistant program, you will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
You can find more information on medical assistant programs and certification in New Mexico through the resources listed below.
Community Colleges in New Mexico:
-Central New Mexico Community College: Medical Assisting Program
-Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell: Medical Assisting Certificate Program
-Clovis Community College: Medical Assisting Certificate Program
-San Juan College: Medical Assisting Certificate Program
Technical Schools in New Mexico:
-Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque: Medical Assistant Diploma Program