Your Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Medical Assistant

For those looking to enter the healthcare field, becoming a medical assistant is a rewarding choice. Medical assistants play a vital role in patient care, helping healthcare professionals in outpatient settings like clinics, doctors’ offices, and hospitals. Below, we explore the path to becoming a medical assistant, covering educational requirements, certification options, job duties, career prospects, and tips for success.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

Medical assistants handle both administrative and clinical tasks, making them essential in healthcare environments. Their duties can include:

1. Administrative Tasks: Scheduling appointments, updating medical records, filing insurance forms, answering calls, and managing office correspondence.
2. Clinical Tasks: Taking vital signs, collecting specimens, assisting during minor procedures, explaining treatment plans to patients, and handling EKGs.

Medical assistants often work under the supervision of physicians and nurses, so their job combines direct patient care with essential office responsibilities. This mix of duties makes them adaptable and vital team members.

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Medical Assistant

1. Obtain a High School Diploma or Equivalent

The first requirement to become a medical assistant is a high school diploma or GED. High school courses in biology, chemistry, and health can provide a foundation for medical knowledge, while classes in office software may assist with administrative tasks.

2. Choose and Complete a Medical Assistant Program

Medical assisting programs are available through community colleges, technical schools, and online options. When selecting a program, look for one that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

• Certificate or Diploma Programs: Typically 9-12 months, focusing on practical skills.
• Associate Degree Programs: Usually takes two years and may cover additional general education, offering a broader skill set. 

3. Gain Practical Experience through Internships

An internship, also known as an externship in this field, is often required in medical assistant programs. Internships provide hands-on experience in healthcare settings, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned in real-world situations. Go Elective offers clinical internships and shadowing opportunities in underserved communities, giving students unique exposure to global healthcare challenges and practical skills.

4. Consider Getting Certified

While certification is not always required, it significantly enhances job prospects and may increase starting salary. Several organizations offer certification for medical assistants:

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Certification exams generally cover topics such as medical terminology, healthcare law, and clinical procedures. Some states require certification, so check specific state requirements.

5. Build a Standout Resume and Apply for Jobs

A resume highlighting your education, certification, and practical experience will set you apart. Include specific skills like familiarity with electronic health records (EHR), patient care techniques, and administrative software. Networking and attending healthcare job fairs can be helpful, and applying widely to various settings, including private practices and hospitals, can increase your chances.

Skills Required to Be a Successful Medical Assistant

To excel as a medical assistant, you’ll need both hard and soft skills:

• Hard Skills: Knowledge of medical billing, terminology, EHR systems, and basic clinical procedures like drawing blood and administering EKGs.
• Soft Skills: Empathy, effective communication, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask.

Working in diverse healthcare settings like those available through Go Elective’s internship programs in East Africa can enhance these skills, as students adapt to different resources and patient demographics.

Career Advancement Options for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants can advance in their careers by gaining additional certifications, specializing in areas like phlebotomy, EKG technology, or medical coding. Some may choose to further their education to become registered nurses (RN), health information technicians, or even physician assistants (PA).

Go Elective also offers internships for aspiring physician assistants and other healthcare fields, providing a pathway to hands-on experience that may support these advanced career goals.

Related Link: Physician Assistant Internships with Go Elective

Medical Assistant Salary and Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for medical assistants in 2023 was approximately $42,000 per year. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 15% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations, driven by the increased need for healthcare services as the population ages.

Medical assistants can find work in various settings:

• Outpatient Centers: In these facilities, they may handle vital signs, take histories, and perform EHR documentation.
• Hospitals: Responsibilities may include assisting with minor procedures and scheduling.
• Physicians’ Offices: MAs might administer injections, draw blood, and manage patient records.
  
  

The Benefits of Choosing Medical Assisting as a Career

Becoming a medical assistant is ideal for those interested in helping others and seeking a dynamic, patient-centered role. Additional advantages include:

• Job Security: The field is experiencing rapid growth.
• Career Flexibility: Work schedules can vary, allowing for part-time, full-time, or shift work.
• Opportunities for Advancement: Specialized certifications can lead to higher pay and new roles.
  
  

FAQs on Becoming a Medical Assistant

Q: Do medical assistants need to be certified?

A: Certification is not mandatory in every state, but it enhances job prospects and may be required by employers.

Q: How long does it take to become a medical assistant?

A: Certificate programs can take as little as 9-12 months, while an associate degree may take two years.

Q: What skills are essential for medical assistants?

A: Essential skills include knowledge of medical terminology, proficiency with EHR systems, empathy, and effective communication.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

If you’re passionate about healthcare and want a meaningful career with strong growth prospects, becoming a medical assistant could be the perfect path. Programs like those offered by Go Elective provide valuable, hands-on experience in diverse healthcare settings, giving aspiring medical assistants a unique edge. Apply here. 

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Dec 16, 2024