How to Become a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
Contents
- Introduction: What is a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant?
- Duties and Responsibilities of a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
- The Education and Training Required to Become a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
- The Certification Process for Becoming a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
- The Salary and Job Outlook for NHA Medical Administrative Assistants
- The Pros and Cons of a Career as a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
- Conclusion: Is a Career as a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant Right for You?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
- Additional Resources for Those Interested in a Career as a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
- About the Author
How to Become a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant – Discover the duties, responsibilities, education and certification requirements for becoming a NHA medical administrative assistant.
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Introduction: What is a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant?
A NHA medical administrative assistant is a person who works in a medical office and is responsible for tasks such as appointments, billing, and insurance. They may also be responsible for patient records and keeping the office organized. Medical Administrative Assistants are usually certified by the National Healthcare Association (NHA).
Duties and Responsibilities of a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
The National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers a certification for medical administrative assistants, also called medical office secretaries. To become a certified NHA medical administrative assistant, you must first complete an accredited training program and then pass a national certification exam.
As a certified NHA medical administrative assistant, you will be responsible for performing a variety of tasks to support the day-to-day operations of a healthcare facility. Your duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance claims, and providing customer service to patients and their families.
To be successful in this role, you must have excellent organizational skills, be able to multitask efficiently, and have strong communication and interpersonal skills. In addition, you should be familiar with Medical Terminology and have experience using computer software applications commonly used in healthcare facilities.
The Education and Training Required to Become a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
To become a NHA medical administrative assistant, you will need to complete an accredited program and earn a certified medical administrative assistant (CMAA) credential. Once you have earned your credential, you will be able to apply for jobs in this field.
Most programs that offer medical administrative assistant training are either diploma or certificate programs. These programs typically take about one year to complete, but some may take longer. Some programs may offer accelerated options that allow you to complete your training in a shorter amount of time.
Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass the CMAA exam in order to earn your credential. This exam tests your knowledge of the skills and tasks that medical administrative assistants perform. Once you have passed the exam, you will be able to list yourself as a certified medical administrative assistant on job applications and resumes.
The Certification Process for Becoming a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
There are several steps to becoming a National Healthcare Association (NHA) medical administrative assistant. The first step is to complete an accredited medical administrative assistant program. Once you have completed your program, you will then need to pass the National Healthcare Association’s Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will be a certified medical administrative assistant and will be able to use the NHA’s designation after your name.
The Salary and Job Outlook for NHA Medical Administrative Assistants
NHA medical administrative assistants earned a median salary of $35,170 in 2017, with the top 10% earning more than $49,860. Job prospects for medical administrative assistants are expected to be very good, with the occupation projected to grow much faster than average at a rate of 29% from 2016 to 2026. In comparison, the average growth rate for all occupations is 7%. The aging population and advances in medical technology will continue to spur demand for these workers. As more medical tests and procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, the need for medical administrative assistants will grow as well.
The Pros and Cons of a Career as a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
The field of medical administrative assisting is growing rapidly, and with good reason. Medical administrative assistants perform many of the important behind-the-scenes tasks that keep medical offices running smoothly. From scheduling appointments and maintaining patient records to filing insurance forms and handling billing, medical administrative assistants play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of healthcare facilities.
With the aging of the baby boomer generation and the continued advancement of medical technology, the need for qualified medical administrative assistants is expected to grow even more in the coming years. If you are organized, detail-oriented, and have a passion for helping others, a career as a medical administrative assistant may be right for you. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of a career in this rewarding field.
Pro: Job Opportunities Are Abundant
Medical administrative assistants are in high demand across the United States According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical secretaries is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2014 to 2024—much faster than the average for all occupations.1 With an aging population and advances in medical technology resulting in longer lifespans, the need for qualified medical administrative assistants will continue to grow in the years ahead.
Con: The Work Can Be Stressful
While working as a medical administrative assistant can be rewarding, it can also be stressful at times. Medical offices are often hectic places, and medical administrative assistants must be able to handle last-minute changes and unexpected challenges with grace under pressure. If you do not thrive in fast-paced environments or handle stress well, working as a medical administrative assistant may not be right for you.
Pro: You Can Make a Positive Difference in People’s Lives
As a medical administrative assistant, you will play an important role in ensuring that patients receive the care they need. You will likely have opportunities to interact with patients on a daily basis, and your efforts will contribute to making their lives healthier and happier. If you take pride in knowing that your work makes a difference in people’s lives, working as a medical administrative assistant may be the perfect career choice for you.
Conclusion: Is a Career as a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant Right for You?
In order to become a NHA medical administrative assistant, you need to have certain qualities and skills. You must be organized, detail-oriented, and have good customer service skills. You also need to be proficient in medical billing and coding. If you have these qualities and skills, then a career as a NHA medical administrative assistant may be right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
1. What is a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant?
2. What are the requirements to become a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant?
3. How much does a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant make?
4. What are the duties of a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant?
5. What are the benefits of becoming a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant?
Additional Resources for Those Interested in a Career as a NHA Medical Administrative Assistant
There are many ways to begin a career in medical administration, but becoming a NHA medical administrative assistant is a great way to start. National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers medical administrative assistant certification, which is the perfect way to demonstrate your commitment to the field and give you the edge when competing for jobs.
In order to become certified, you must first complete an accredited program and pass an exam. After you have your certification, you will need to stay current on your education and keep up with the latest industry developments. The following resources will help you in your journey to becoming a NHA medical administrative assistant.
-The National Healthcare Association: This is the organization that offers medical administrative assistant certification. Through their website, you can find information about accredited programs, study materials for the certification exam, and resources for keeping your credential up-to-date.
-Medical Administrative Assistant Programs: This website provides an overview of what you can expect from a career as a medical administrative assistant, including job duties and responsibilities, as well as information about accredited programs and certification exams.
-National Certification Alliance: The National Certification Alliance is a group of organizations that offer national certifications in healthcare fields. In addition to information about medical administrative assistant certification through NHA, this site also provides links to other popular healthcare certifications.
-Medical Administrative Assistant Job Description: This job description from mayo clinic provides an overview of what employers are looking for when hiring medical administrative assistants. It includes information about common duties and responsibilities, as well as skills and qualifications that are typically required.
About the Author
I’m Alex Potapeychuk, and I’ve been working as a medical administrative assistant for almost 10 years. I originally started my career as a medical transcriptionist but after a few years, I decided to pursue a more administrative role. I’ve worked in both small and large medical practices, and I’ve also spent time working in hospital administration. In my current role, I work as a medical administrative assistant for a large group practice.
I decided to write this guide because I want to help others who are interested in becoming a medical administrative assistant. This guide will provide you with an overview of what the job entails, the skills you need to succeed, and the steps you need to take to get started in your career.
I hope you find this guide helpful, and I wish you the best of luck in your career as a medical administrative assistant!