Where to Get Your Medical Assistant Certification
Contents
Considering a career in medical assisting? Here’s everything you need to know about how to get your medical assistant certification.
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Introduction
medical assistant certification is a way of showing that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a medical assistant Certification is not required in all states, but employers often prefer to hire candidates who are certified. There are a few different ways to become certified as a medical assistant.
What is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant is a professional who provides support to doctors and other medical staff in a variety of ways. They may perform administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and maintaining patient records, or they may take on clinical tasks such as measuring patients’ vital signs and preparing them for examination. In some cases, Medical assistants may also be responsible for providing basic care to patients, such as giving injections or changing dressings. regardless of their specific duties, Medical Assistants play an important role in ensuring that the medical facility they work in runs smoothly and efficiently.
Duties of a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically trained to work in outpatient settings such as medical offices and clinics. They perform both administrative and clinical duties.
Administrative duties may include:
-Answering phones
-Greeting patients
-Scheduling appointments
-Updating and filing patient medical records
-Filling out insurance forms
-Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
-Taking and recording patients’ vital signs
-Explaining treatment procedures to patients
-Assisting the physician during exams
-Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
-Performing routine diagnostic tests
-Instructing patients about medications and special diets
-Preparing patients for x rays, removing sutures, and changing dressings.
Education and Certification Requirements
Education and Certification Requirements
In order to become a certified medical assistant, you must complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass the certification exam. Medical assisting programs are typically offered at community colleges, technical colleges, and vocational schools. Some hospital-based programs also exist. Most medical assistant programs take about a year to complete and result in a certificate or diploma. A few two-year associate degree programs are also available.
The curriculum in medical assistant programs varies by school, but generally includes courses in anatomy, physiology, Medical Terminology office procedures, CPR, first aid, andpreparing patients for examination. Many programs also include an externship component that gives students the opportunity to gain real-world experience working in a medical office or clinic under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.
Once you have completed an accredited medical assistant program, you will need to pass the certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) in order to earn the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. The AAMA offers two different exam options: the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) version and the traditional Paper & Pencil (P&P) version. The CAT version is offered year-round at testing centers across the country, while the P&P version is only offered twice per year (in April and October).
How to Get Certified
Becoming a certified medical assistant shows employers and patients that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform your job well. To become certified, you must first pass an accredited medical assisting program and then pass a standardized national exam, such as the CMA (AAMA) Exam or the RMA (AMT) Exam.
The Certification Process
Medical assistants can become certified through various organizations. The two main organizations are the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA).
To become certified through the AAMA, medical assistants must pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. The CMA exam is a computer-based test that covers medical knowledge, skills, and abilities. To become certified through the NHA, medical assistants must pass the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam. The NCMA exam is a written exam that covers medical knowledge and skills.
Once a medical assistant has passed either the CMA or NCMA exam, they will be awarded their certification. Certification is valid for five years and can be renewed by taking a recertification exam.
Certification Maintenance
Maintaining your certification is important to ensure that you are able to perform your job to the best of your abilities. There are a few different ways that you can maintain your certification, including taking continuing education courses andkeeping up to date with the latest medical advancements.
One of the best ways to maintain your medical assistant certification is to take continuing education courses. These courses can help you stay up to date on the latest medical advancements and procedures, as well as brush up on your skills. Many times, these courses are offered online or through local community colleges.
Another great way to maintain your medical assistant certification is to keep up with the latest medical advancements. This can be done by reading medical journals and magazines, or by attending conferences and seminars. Keeping up with the latest medical advancements will help you be able to provide the best possible care for your patients.
Renewing Your Certification
If your certification has lapsed, you will need to follow the process for initial certification. This includes taking and passing the medical assistant certification exam, completing an approved medical assisting program, and submitting a Renewal Application to the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
The process for renewing your certification is as follows:
1. Log in to the AMT website.
2. Click on the “Certification” tab at the top of the page.
3. Click on “Renew Certification” in the drop-down menu that appears.
4. Follow the instructions on the page to renew your certification.
Recertification
Medical assistants are one of the many professional allied health care providers who work in clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities. They perform both clinical and administrative tasks, such as taking patient histories, providing patients with information about their health care options, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and insurance paperwork. In order to work as a medical assistant, you must obtain certification from an accredited program.
There are many different types of medical assistant certification programs available, and each has its own requirements. Most programs will require you to complete an accredited training program and pass a certification exam. Once you have obtained your certification, you will need to renew it every few years in order to maintain your credential.
Recertification requirements vary depending on the type of certification you hold, but they typically involve completing continuing education courses or passing a recertification exam. Some organizations also require medical assistants to maintain CPR certification or participate in other professional development activities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many different schools that offer medical assistant certification. The best way to find the right school for you is to research each school thoroughly and make sure that they are accredited. Once you have found the right school, you will be on your way to a successful career in the medical field!
