How to Recertify as a Medical Assistant
Contents
How to Recertify as a medical assistant Find out the requirements and steps necessary to renew your certification.
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Introduction
Medical assistants are a vital part of the medical team, providing basic patient care and administrative support. Although many Medical Assistants have completed formal training programs, others have gained their skills through on-the-job training. If you falls into the latter category and want to become certified, you’ll need to meet some requirements and pass an exam.
What is medical assistant recertification?
In order to maintain their certification, medical assistants must complete recertification every few years. The process generally includes completing continuing education credits and paying a recertification fee. Some organizations, such as the National Healthcareer Association, have additional requirements, such as passing a competency exam.
Many employers will reimburse medical assistants for the cost of recertification, and some even require their employees to maintain active certification. Completing recertification demonstrates a commitment to professional development and can make medical assistants more attractive candidates for promotions or jobs at other facilities.
Why recertify as a medical assistant?
There are several reasons to recertify as a medical assistant First, it is important to stay current on medical assistant knowledge and skills in order to provide quality patient care. Second, some employers require medical assistants to be certified in order to be eligible for employment or to maintain employment. Finally, recertifying as a medical assistant can show commitment to the profession and can help advance your career.
How often do I need to recertify?
The AAMA does not have a set time frame for medical assistants to recertify, but all credentialed medical assistants must recertify every 60 months to maintain their credential in good standing. You can begin the recertification process up to six months before your credential expires.
What are the requirements for recertification?
To recertify as a medical assistant, you must complete either 60 continuing education credits (CECs) or retake the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants’ (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Examination. You will also need to show proof of membership in the AAMA during your recertification process.
How do I recertify?
The process of recertifying as a medical assistant generally includes completing continuing education credits and/or retesting. requirements may vary depending on the certifying agency, but most will require that you complete a certain number of credits within a certain timeframe in order to maintain your certification.
You may be able to complete some or all of your required credits online, through attending seminars or even by participating in activities at work. Once you have completed the required credits, you will need to submit documentation to the certifying agency to prove that you have met their requirements.
In some cases, you may also be required to retake the certification exam in order to maintain your certification. This is generally only necessary if your certification has lapsed for more than a year, but it is always best to check with your specific certifying agency to find out their exact requirements.
What are the benefits of recertifying?
The majority of employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, and many facilities require certification as a condition of employment. In addition, some states have laws regulating the use of the title “medical assistant” and may require certification for licensure. Certified medical assistants demonstrate a commitment to their profession and a level of competency that non-certified medical assistants may not possess. Furthermore, certified medical assistants often earn higher salaries than non-certified medical assistants.
What are the risks of not recertifying?
There are a few risks associated with not recertifying as a medical assistant. The first is that your employer may require you to become recertified in order to keep your job. Many employers require certification as a condition of employment, so not becoming recertified could cost you your job.
The second risk is that your medical assistant certification may expire. In order to maintain your certification, you must complete the recertification process every few years. If you do not become recertified, your certification will expire and you will no longer be a certified medical assistant.
The third risk is that you may not be able to use your certification to get a new job. Many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, so if your certification has expired, you may have a harder time finding a new job.
Overall, the risks of not recertifying as a medical assistant are losing your job, having an expired certification, and having difficulty finding a new job.
Conclusion
Now that you have all the information you need, it’s time to recertify as a medical assistant! The process is simple and straightforward, and with our guide, you’ll be finished before you know it.