As the need to provide healthcare to children continues to accelerate, there's never been a better time to consider a career as a pediatric medical assistant. As far as education goes, the first step is to complete an AAMA-accredited medical assistant program. These certification programs don't specialize in pediatric care.
The training to specialize in pediatrics comes AFTER general certification as a medical assistant. Fortunately, the most common training to specialize in pediatrics is on-the-job training.
There are specific things you can do to ensure that you get into the pediatric field. Read on if you would like to learn more.
There are a number of medial assistant programs offered at various schools (both community colleges as well as career or vocational schools) around the country. Most of these training programs take approximately 12 months to complete. There are also some community colleges that offer Associate’s programs for medical assistants. Although a two year degree may cost more than a 12 month training program, earning a degree may improve your chances of getting the right kind of job.
MA training programs are usually quite condensed. You are in and out within a year and can hit the ground running without having to deal with waiting for graduation or summer vacations in order to take your next set of classes. They are also usually more affordable then colleges, with the training programs usually set up so that you can pay in installments instead of having to pay up front for the semester as you would for college courses.
Most CMA programs now also offer a "remote" option for at least part of the program.
Most Medical Assistant programs offer a foundation of courses that all students have to take, but they also usually offer a chance to specialize in a certain area in which you would like to work. Make sure before you start a training program, that you have looked into whether or not they allow specialization as not all training courses offer this. If they do, however, and if you are interested in pediatrics, then you should make sure that your choices for the “flex” courses are all in the area of pediatrics.
Another thing to make sure of, is that the training course that you are taking is either nationally or regionally accredited. This ensures that your course will meet regional and national standards, plus it looks good on your resume.
If you are serious about getting to work as a Pediatric Medical Assistant, then you will also want to get certified after your graduation from your training course. In the US there are two certifications that are acceptable, AAMA certification (the American Association of Medical Assistants) and AMT certification (from the Association of Medical Technologists). Both of these associations offer examinations that, if passed, will land you with certification.
The plus side of certification (even though it is not absolutely necessary), is that it shows initiative on your part; those looking at your resume will see that you have dedicated a great deal of time, effort and energy into learning your trade, and especially (given your specialization and certification) that you are serious about what it is that you want to do.
Working with children is a rewarding career!
Once you have completed your training and have received your certification, then it is time to craft yourself an awesome resume. If you did particularly well in your courses you may want to consider having your instructors act as references, as this shows your potential employer that you are not ashamed of your coursework and are secure in the knowledge of how you did during your training. And then, of course, it is time to go to work, plying the newspapers and online job agencies to begin your career as a Pediatric Medical Assistant.