If you’re interested in finding out how to become a medical assistant, the first step will be to research the job opportunities and education options in your area. A medical assistant will work with healthcare professionals and perform a number of administrative and clinical tasks. The common duties of an MA will include scheduling appointments, collecting a patient’s history, preparing lab samples, and taking a patient’s vital signs. An MA will work in clinics, hospitals, urgent care centers and private practices.
Since it currently isn’t mandatory for an MA to have formal training in this field, an individual can obtain employment with a GED or high school diploma. Entry level MAs go through an on the job training program, which lasts for several months. During this type of training program, the student will work under the instruction and supervision of more experienced MAs. A trainee will learn about medical terminology, routine office procedures, equipment usage and medical billing. An MA will need to gain five years of experience in order to qualify for the registered medical assistant certification, also referred to as the RMA.
The shorter route for earning the RMA certification is to complete an associate’s degree, certificate or diploma program. These medical assistant programs are found through many junior colleges, community colleges and technical schools. Diploma and certificate programs will usually take 12 months to complete, while the associate’s degree program will take two years to complete. A student completes classes in office management, medical coding, lab procedures and pharmacology. As we enter 2023, more colleges are offering online medical assistant certification.
After earning a certificate or degree, or obtaining five years of field experience, an MA can fill out an application for the RMA exam. An applicant will need to explain any felonies they’ve been convicted of and pay a fee of one-hundred dollars. Individuals that have not completed a formal training program or who have completed the training program more than five years ago will need to also include a recommendation from an employer or supervisor.
Students that have been accepted to take the certification exam can schedule to take the exam at testing centers, schools or online. Individuals that test online will receive their results immediately, while those who choose to take their exam in person will need to wait six to eight weeks. The exam is three hours in length and will include 250 multiple choice questions on such topics as sterilization, emergency response, clerical procedures, medical terminology, ethics and medical law. In order to pass, a medical assistant will need to have a score of seventy or higher.
After certification has been obtained, MAs will need to earn continuing education credits each year in order to qualify for certification renewal every three years.
Now that you know how to become a medical assistant, you can decide on whether you’re interested in seeking a position that offers on the job training programs or you can enroll in an accredited formal training program at a local school.