Medical Assistant Job Requirements You Might Not be Aware Of
Medical assisting is a rapidly growing field in the healthcare world. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 23% increase in jobs available between 2014 and 2024. With so many jobs to fill and patients who need treatment, it’s easy to see why so many individuals are researching how to become a medical assistant. Here are some of the job requirements you might not be aware of yet and how you can become a medical assistant.
Education is Mandatory
Like anyone who works in the medical field, medical assistants need formal education to complete their duties. You might think that all education is the same and finding an inexpensive or even free program available online might be just the ticket into the field of medical assisting. However, to take the certification tests, you must be a graduate of an accredited institution.
This education can prepare you not just for your role as a medical assistant but help you develop the skills you will need to help patients, work as a team with your co-workers, and conduct yourself in a professional and personable manner. A combination of good hard skills and soft skills, as they’re called, can help turn you into the complete package for potential employers.
Understanding the Role of Medical Assistants
Medical assistants work closely with doctors and other medical staff. They perform tasks that are almost similar to what a nurse would do, only the assistant will always work under the keen eye of the doctor and sometimes a nurse.
The medical assistant takes the patient’s vitals, performs lab tests and other diagnostics, and can also help with patient examinations. Medical assistants are in high demand due to the position’s flexibility and role as support staff for other medical professionals.
Getting Started With an Associate Degree
An associates degree is a great way to get your medical assisting career started. It will give you the right credentials and training you need to not only be marketable but also offer high-quality care to any patients placed under your care.
Medical assisting is also a great stepping stone career. Some medical assistants go on to become nurses or doctors after they gain enough experience to know they want their career to be in medicine. Whether you decide to continue your education and find a new role in the medical field or work as a medical assistant, the rewards of being able to help those in need remains the same.
Medical Assistant Certifications
The initial training might be good enough for a starting job but you will need certifications to improve your post-graduate marketability. The NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) acknowledges the following certifications:
- CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) This is offered by NHA (National Healthcareer Association)
- CMAA (Certified Medical Administrative Assistant) from NHA
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) from NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from AMT (American Medical Technologists)
Be very careful when choosing your certification, as it can determine your career specialization. Though not mandatory, a specialization could increase your income and help you move up the ranks.
Are you interested in becoming a medical assistant? If you think you have what it takes to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Science with a focus in Medical Assisting, consider ECPI University for the education you’ll need. With a focus on hands-on learning and a required externship, students could graduate in as little as 15 months. For more information about this exciting career field, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
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Gainful Employment Information – Medical Assisting – Associate’s
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