Medical assistants are one of the first points of contact for patients in hospitals or medical offices. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, this post highlights the steps to become one.
Pathways to become a medical assistant
You have two pathways open to you when choosing to become a medical assistant;
- Post secondary training program: Post secondary training programs for medical assistants are available in a variety of settings including vocational schools, community colleges, universities, and technical schools and can take between 6 months to 2 years to complete. There are many program options including on campus, hybrid and online.
- On-the-job training: Apprenticeship or on-the-job training opportunities are also available for candidates without a post secondary degree. Whilst on the job training will enable you to get started in the workforce straight away only a small proportion of potential employers will have the resources to provide you with the necessary training.
For the purpose of this guide, we will focus on formal post-secondary training as the most popular pathway.
Although not necessary it is common practice for medical assistants to obtain certification once they have graduated from an accredited program on completed the necessary work experience. The most common certifications include the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification offered by the American Medical Technologists and the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification, offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants.
High School Education and Requirements
Whilst a post secondary qualification isn’t mandatory the minimum qualification required to become a medical assistant is a high school diploma. Whilst at high school you should take as many of the following classes as possible: biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, computer science, English, and mathematics. Apart from providing care to patients and assisting physicians, medical assistants are also required to use electronic health records, communicate with patients and their families, and perform drug dosage calculations.
Despite not being obligatory, students interested in becoming medical assistants should pursue additional certifications and courses during high school or after graduation to improve educational pathway or entry into the career.
Medical Terminology: It is essential to become proficient in medical terminology to communicate successfully in a healthcare setting.
CPR Certification: Medical assistants must learn CPR as they may be required to help during emergencies.
First Aid Training: First aid training prepares medical assistants for offering assistance in medical emergencies.
Foreign Languages: Medical assistants who want to work with diverse communities should learn a second language to communicate effectively with patients and their families.
Accredited program
There are two primary national organizations responsible for accrediting medical assistant programs: The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Accredited schools are important because their programs adhere to the best practices in medical training and education. Furthermore, it is essential to graduate from an accredited program to take the national certification exams.
You will typically earn either a certificate or associate degree as part of your training. Associate degrees are best suited to those who may want to continue their education and obtain a bachelor’s degrees, while certificate programs help in securing entry-level positions.
You will take classes in anatomy, medical terminology, pharmacology, regulations, healthcare laws, clinical and administrative procedures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. Moreover, you will learn skills, such as appointment setting, medical record handling, scheduling, and medical billing. Clinical internship work forms an important part of accredited programs.
Basic requirements for entry into an accredited program are a high school diploma. A certificate program can normally be completed within 9-12 months and an associate degree will take 2 years.
There are XXX accredited medical assistant programs in the USA. Click here to find a school in your state and near you.
Several institutes offer accredited online medical assistant programs as a viable option for people requiring flexibility. These self-paced, flexible, and low-cost programs offer the convenience of learning from any place and provide a combination of collaborative assignments, virtual discourses, and clinical trainings. Some of the most popular online medical assistant training programs on offer are provided by Herzing University, Penn Foster, San Francisco State University, and Texas State University.
National Certification Requirements and Credentials
Certified medical assistants with a national certification are considered competitive candidates for the role. A national certification showcases the dedication to continuing professional development and the delivery of top-notch care services. A national certification requires the completion of an accredited medical assistant program, in addition to hands-on training and a certain number of hours in clinical practice. The commonly recognized credentials are as follows:
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) – The American Associate of Medical Assistants provides the CMA certification. Graduates from a medical assistant program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES are eligible for this examination. It consists of 200 multiple choice questions on safety, infection control, healthcare information management, and healthcare delivery – divided into four, 40-minute segments. The certification is valid for 5 years. The exam costs $125.
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) – The American Medical Technologists provides an RMA certification. Eligibility criteria include: accredited medical assisting program graduate, or US Armed Forces medical assisting program graduate, or medical assistant work experience for 5 years. The exam comprises 210 multiple choice questions on general, administrative, and clinical medical assisting. This certification is valid for 3 years, and the exam costs $120.
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) – The National Center for Competency Testing provides this certification. The eligibility criteria are as follows: graduate from an NCCT-approved medical assistant program in the last 5 years, or currently enrolled in an NCCT approved medical assistant program, or with 2 years of full-time medical assistant experience in the last 5 years or completed medical assistant training in the military in the last 5 years. The exam comprises 150 questions on medical procedures, phlebotomy, pharmacology, office procedures, ECG, medical office management, and laws. The exam costs $135 and the certification must be renewed annually by paying a recertification fee.
Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA)- Offered by the National Healthcareer Association, the eligibility criteria for this certification are as follows: high school diploma or GED, or complete college or a medical assistant training program, or 1 year of medical assisting experience. It comprises 30 unscored and 150 scored multiple-choice questions on foundational knowledge, clinical patient care, care coordination, communication, anatomy and physiology, administrative assisting, and medical law. The exam costs $155, and the certification should be renewed every 2 years.
Licensing Requirements
Currently, a general licensure has not been issued by any state for medical assistants. Medical assistants in only Washington must hold a certification and license. They are required to apply with the Washington State Department of Health for their license. Nonetheless, certain states have compulsory experiential and/or educational prerequisites for specific duties, such as venipuncture, injections, and radiography. For example, New Jersey requires medical assistants to be certified to administer injections. A medical assistant in South Dakota should register with the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners.
Continuing Professional Development and Career Pathways
CPD requirements usually vary across employers and states. CPD requirements might include additional training on patient privacy regulations, electronic health records, EKG technology, program management, phlebotomy, etc.
Medical assistants can enhance their career by taking additional training in specializations such as family practice, cardiology, ophthalmology, geriatrics, etc. With a medical assistant qualification, you could choose to pursue a nursing education with an associate degree in nursing (ADNs) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).