What Is the Next Step After Medical Assistant?

After you complete your medical assistant training, you may be wondering what the next step is. There are a few different options available to you, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific goals and interests. In this blog post, we’ll explore a few of the most common next steps for Medical assistants and help you figure out which one is right for you.

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Job outlook for medical assistants

Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The job outlook for medical assistants is promising, with an expected 29% growth in employment from 2016 to 2026.* The median annual wage for medical assistants was $32,480 in May 2017.**

While most medical assistants have a postsecondary certificate, some have completed formal medical assisting programs that lead to an associate’s degree. Many medical assistants learn on the job. With experience, medical assistants may be promoted to office manager or other positions with more responsibility. Some medical assistants take on additional roles, such as billing and coding, case management, or working as a certified physician assistant. A few states allow medical assistants to perform certain tasks, such as giving injections or taking X-rays, if they have completed a special training program and received certification from their state’s department of health.

What you can do with a medical assistant degree

A medical assistant degree can open the door to a variety of different career paths in the healthcare industry. With further education and training, you could become a registered nurse, a physical therapist, or a doctor. Alternatively, you could use your medical assistant degree to become a medical office manager or a medical billing and coding specialist.

What skills do you need to be a medical assistant

The duties of a medical assistant are both clinical and administrative in nature. Clinical duties may include taking medical histories, recording vital signs, drawing blood, and administering medication. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, handling billing and coding information, and maintaining medical records In some states, medical assistants may also be allowed to perform basic x-rays and perform minor office-based surgical procedures.

In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may prefer that you have some prior experience in the medical field, but it is not always required. Most medical assistants complete a one-year certificate program or a two-year Associate’s degree program at a community college or vocational school. Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam in order to become certified or registered in your state.

How to become a medical assistant

In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to complete a training program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass a certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

What is the next step after medical assistant?

The next step after medical assistant may be to become a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, or a certified nurse assistant. Depending on your career goals and the amount of education you are willing to obtain, you may also choose to become a medical doctor, a naturopathic doctor, or a physician assistant.

The medical assistant role in the healthcare team

A medical assistant is a vital role in the healthcare team. They provide frontline care to patients and work closely with other members of the medical staff. After completing an accredited medical assistant program, graduates can take their career in many different directions. Here are some of the most popular next steps for medical assistants:

-continue working in a clinical setting as a certified medical assistant
-pursue further education to become a registered nurse
-go into management and become a medical office manager
-become a biller or coder and work in the back office of a healthcare facility
-teach and train new medical assistants as an instructor

What are the duties of a medical assistant

Medical assistants perform a variety of duties to support the work of physicians and other health care professionals. They may take medical histories, help patients prepare for examinations, assist with procedures, and collect and process lab specimens. Medical assistants also record patient information in medical files and databases, fill out insurance forms, and schedule appointments. They may also provide instruction to patients on health care procedures, such as how to take medication or prepare for medical tests.

The medical assistant scope of practice

Medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They are the link between the physician and the patient, and they are responsible for a variety of tasks, from taking medical histories and scheduling appointments to drawing blood and performing basic laboratory tests.

While there is no formal education requirement for medical assistants, most have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, and many have completed a postsecondary medical assisting program. There are also a number of professional organizations that offer certification for medical assistants.

So, what is the next step after medical assistant? There are a number of career options available to medical assistants who want to further their education and training. Here are some of the most popular options:

-Registered medical assistant: A registered medical assistant (RMA) is a medical assistant who has passed a national exam administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). To be eligible for the exam, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assisting program or have at least five years of experience working as a medical assistant. RMAs must also complete continuing education credits every year to maintain their certification.
-Certified clinical medical assistant: A certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) is a medical assistant who has passed an exam administered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA). To be eligible for the exam, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assisting program or have at least one year of experience working as a medical assistant. CCMAs must also complete continuing education credits every year to maintain their certification.
– Certified Medical Administrative Assistant : A certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a position that may be achieved through becoming certified by either the National Healthcare Association (NHA), American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), or American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The credential of Certified Medical Administrative Assistant recognizes an individual who demonstrates excellence in administrative duties in support of patient care under the direction of physicians and other health care professionals.

There are also numerous other credentials thatmedical assistants may pursue such as becoming certified in CPR, phlebotomy, or EKG. Many states also require certification if you want to work as a certified nurse assistant (CNA), which is another popular career option for medical assistants.

The medical assistant code of ethics

Code of Ethics for the Medical Assistant

The medical assistant code of ethics is a set of guidelines that outline the professional and ethical standards that medical assistants should uphold in their daily work. These standards are designed to protect patients, uphold the integrity of the medical profession, and ensure that medical assistants provide quality care.

The code of ethics for the medical assistant is divided into four sections:

1. Respect for patients: Medical assistants must respect the dignity and rights of all patients, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, or national origin. They should treat all patients equally and with respect.

2. Integrity: Medical assistants must be honest and transparent in all their dealings with patients, colleagues, and employers. They should never knowingly mislead or deceive people.

3. Competence: Medical assistants must maintain a high level of competence in their work. They should keep up with new developments in their field and continually strive to improve their skills.

4. Professionalism: Medical assistants must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. They should dress appropriately for work, speak respectfully to others, and avoid engaging in unprofessional conduct such as gossiping or engaging in conflicts of interest.

The medical assistant professional organizations

After medical assistant, the next step is to become a certified medical assistant. To become a certified medical assistant, you must first pass an exam administered by one of the following organizations:
-The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
-The National Healthcare Association (NHA)
-The American Medical Technologists (AMT)

Once you have passed the exam, you will be a certified medical assistant and will have the letters “CMA” after your name.