WA State Certified Medical Assistants – Your Key to Success

Washington State offers a medical assistant certification program to help you become a certified medical assistant This certification is your key to success as a medical assistant.

Checkout this video:

Introduction

Medical assistants play a vital role in our healthcare system. They are the link between patients and the doctors who care for them. Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks, from administrative duties to clinical procedures.

WA State offers certification for medical assistants who wish to practice in our state. This certification demonstrates your commitment to your profession and shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality care to patients.

The WA State Certification Board for Medical Assistants (WSCBMA) offers two types of certification: the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). Both certifications require passing an exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

To be eligible for certification, you must:
-Be a high school graduate or have a GED® certificate
-Complete an accredited medical assistant program
-Have completed a minimum of externship hours
-Submit an application to take the AAMA Certification Exam
-Pass the AAMA Certification Exam

What is a medical assistant?

Medical assistants perform a variety of duties to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The scope of their work can vary from state to state, but most medical assistants have responsibilities in both clinical and administrative tasks.

A medical assistant career offers many opportunities for those who want to work in the medical field but don’t have the time or money to invest in a long-term degree program. With on-the-job training and certification from organizations like the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), you can be working in a medical office in a matter of weeks.

The AAMA offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, which is recognized nationally as the gold standard for medical assistants. Earning your CMA demonstrates your commitment to your career, and proves that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality patient care.

The duties of a medical assistant

Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings such as physicians’ offices, group practices, and clinics. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice. Based upon their training and experience, medical assistants may perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments and handling billing and insurance paperwork or clinical tasks such as taking medical histories and recording vital signs. Sometimes they may do both administrative and clinical tasks.

A medical assistant must be able to perform both routine office/clinical procedures as well as have excellent people skills. They need to be able to work independently as well as part of a team. Medical assistants must possess good written and verbal communication skills, computer literacy, organizational abilities, and knowledge of Medical Terminology They should also be detail oriented and able to multitask.

The benefits of being a medical assistant

There are many benefits to being a medical assistant. As a medical assistant, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of patients and staff, providing you with a unique and gratifying experience. You will also enjoy:

-A competitive salary
-Flexible hours
-Excellent job security
-The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others

The requirements to become a medical assistant

In order to become a medical assistant, one must complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass a certification exam. Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some have completed postsecondary education, such as an Associate’s degree.

Medical assistants must be able to perform both clinical and administrative tasks. Clinical tasks include taking and recording patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature; preparing patients for examination; collecting and preparing laboratory specimens; performing basic laboratory tests; sterilizing equipment; and instructing patients about medication and other treatments. Administrative tasks include maintaining patients’ records; scheduling appointments; handling correspondence; coding and filling out insurance forms; billing; and ordering supplies. Medical assistants must be able to perform these tasks quickly and accurately while maintaining a high level of customer service.

While most medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, some also work in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities. Many medical assistants work full time, although some work part time. Some medical assistants may work evenings or weekends to accommodate the schedules of busy physicians or patients

The training required to become a medical assistant

The accredited medical assistant program will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful medical assistant. Becoming a medical assistant requires completing an accredited training program and passing a certified medical assistant exam.

Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who perform administrative and clinical tasks in medical offices and clinics. They work under the supervision of licensed physicians or other healthcare professionals. Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks, including taking patient histories, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for examination, taking vital signs, assisting with procedures, administering medications, collecting lab specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, explaing patients’ treatment plans, and giving instruction on home care

Medical assistants must be able to work well under pressure and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously. They must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and be detail oriented. Most medical assistants have an associate degree or certificate from an accredited medical assistant program.

The certification required to become a medical assistant

In order to become a certified medical assistant in the state of Washington, you must successfully complete an accredited medical assistant training program and pass a certification exam. Once you have completed your training and passed your exam, you will be able to apply for certification through the Washington State Board of Medicine.

There are a number of benefits to becoming a certified medical assistant in Washington state. First, it will allow you to work in a wide variety of medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices. Additionally, certified medical assistants are often eligible for higher wages and can move into leadership roles more easily than those who are not certified.

If you are interested in becoming a certified medical assistant in Washington state, there are a few things you need to do. First, you must complete an accredited medical assistant training program. Once you have completed your program, you will then need to pass a certification exam. After you have passed your exam, you can then apply for certification through the Washington State Board of Medicine.

The job outlook for medical assistants

The job outlook for medical assistants is bright. In fact, the profession is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging baby-boom population will continue to drive growth in the demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants.

As physicians expand their practices to include more services and locations, they will need more medical assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical tasks so that the physicians can see more patients. The number of group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities that employ medical assistants is expected to increase as these health care organizations seek ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

The salary of a medical assistant

In Washington State, the average salary for a medical assistant is $33,610 per year. This is slightly higher than the national average of $32,480 per year. With the ever-increasing demand for healthcare services, the need for qualified medical assistants is also on the rise. As a result, those who are certified and have experience in the field are in high demand and can command a higher salary.

Conclusion

In order to be a WA State certified medical assistant, you need to complete an accredited MA training program and pass the credentialing exam. Once you have your MA certificate, you will be able to work in a variety of medical settings. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve success in this rewarding career.