Medical Assistants are fast becoming one of the fastest-growing occupations, and there are many opportunities available for people interested in this rewarding career. If you become a medical assistant while completing your formal education, you will still need to complete a medical assistant certification process. The standard certification will not be required by law, but employers choose to hire certified people.
There are many benefits of becoming a certified medical assistant. It is an excellent first occupation for those entering the workforce for the first time. Certified medical assistants can earn an income right away. In some cases, they can also advance their education by earning a degree and moving to other healthcare occupations such as an infection control specialist or even physician’s assistant.
Completing a Medical Assistants Training Program
There are many educational and training institutions that offer courses for people interested in becoming medical assistants. The most common degree is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, which also may be achieved through vocational training or community college training. You can also obtain a medical assistant certification through the Certified Medical assistant (CMA) or the Registered Medical assistant (RMA) disciplines. Only one of these can be awarded for each specialty area you wish to work in.
What is Medical Assistant?
- Get a high school diploma
- Attend a collage or trade school and earn an associates degree in medical assisting
- Complete medical assistant certification program to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
Preparing for the Certification process
To be able to get started, it is a requirement to have the appropriate education and experience. It would be best if you had at least a high school diplomaG.E.D a GED. Some employers may consider those who do not have a high school diploma. Preparing for certification also includes taking anatomy, physiology, and some business courses. To obtain the necessary experience, you may have to volunteer to assist a doctor in an earlier stage of your clinical career or assist a licensed medical practitioner while getting acquainted with the instrument you will be using for your certification.
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is currently the most well-known mediating body for medical assistants. To be able to take the American Association of Medical Assistants certification exam, you must be at least 21 years old and pass a generalist Medical Assistant Examination. While the requirements for certification are similar to most other occupations, some specializations such as obstetrics or surgery may require a college degree as a specified requirement.
Working in a Medical Office
Once you have completed your formal education, you will need to study the medical office procedures and the medical and surgical procedures used. You will also need to learn the communication skills that will come in handy when working in the medical office over the phone and in person. Job shadowing may also be something that you will want to consider. It’s a great way to be able to learn without the risk of investing in your education.
Becoming a Medical Assistant
There are many different medical assistant schools in the United States. Most medical assistant programs are associate’s degrees, although four-year programs are also available. There are also specialized accredited schools for those who want to study medical assisting in pathology, surgery, and radiology.
You can check out websites for accredited schools to learn about the programs available for many non-traditional careers. It is essential to check out the State laws regarding educational and licensing requirements before enrolling in a medical assistant program. Just because you qualify for a special medical assistance license does not mean you have the right to be employed as a medical assistant. You will need to determine whether the state you want to be in requires a MA degree as a prerequisite for employment.
The job outlook for medical assistants is very goodU.S.The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment growth will be faster than average for all occupations through 2018. The demand for medical assistants will grow as the population ages and seeks more health care. The aging population will also drive the need for medical assistants.
You can qualify for an MA degree as a non-degree undergraduate. You can also be eligible for some certifications after you have completed a medical assistant training program. These include the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT), the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AMAA), and the Specialist in Medical Assistants offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Job prospects for medical assistants are bright and are expected to increase over the next few years as the population ages, and more people seek medical help. Skilled medical assistants are in demand, and qualified candidates can expect excellent job prospects.
