10 Reasons to Get Certified in Medical Assisting
While certification is not obligatory for medical assistants in most states, these 10 compelling reasons might inspire you to pursue certification. Medical assistants (MAs) represent one of the numerous entry-level roles available for those interested in nursing and direct patient care.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), MA positions are projected to expand by 16% from 2021 to 2031, a significantly rapid growth compared to other vocations.
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Although certification remains a choice, numerous factors make becoming a nationally certified medical assistant worthwhile.
The certified medical assistant (CMA) certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is the most widely recognized. Here are 10 pivotal reasons why becoming a certified medical assistant is beneficial for both you and your employer.
Top 10 Advantages of Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant
The AAMA identifies three eligibility categories for the CMA examination:
Graduating students or recent graduates, including those within 30 days of completing their formal education or applying for the exam within a year of graduation
Non-recent graduates, encompassing those who graduated over a year ago from an accredited medical assisting program
Candidates seeking recertification, which includes those who previously passed the exam and are pursuing recertification
You can uphold your medical assistant certification by submitting 60 recertification continuing education units (CEUs) or by retaking the CMA exam.
While employers may not mandate national certification, it undoubtedly fortifies your career path and unlocks fresh job opportunities.
How Certified Nursing Assistants Can Prepare for Nursing School
1 | Preferred Choice for Employers: Certified Medical Assistants
Employers often favor nationally certified medical assistants for various reasons. Certification serves as a measure through which healthcare providers mitigate the risk of malpractice lawsuits.
Having credentialed personnel enhances the prospects of deflecting legal challenges. Human resource directors at managed care organizations also hold professional credentials in high regard.
It is likely that more states will eventually require credentials for medical assistants.
2 | Certification Validates Knowledge and Competence
Certification attests to your employer that you possess the knowledge and competence essential for the role. A career as a medical assistant entails offering appropriate care to potentially seriously ill patients.
Beyond clinical proficiencies, CMAs must also exhibit administrative aptitude, which includes:
Understanding billing and coding procedures
Navigating office management fundamentals
Comprehending medical law and ethics
3 | Reflecting Quality Training Through Certification
Certification can serve as a reflection of quality training. Candidates pursuing the AAMA-certified medical assistant examination must have graduated from an accredited program.
Research underscores the positive impact of accreditation on training and education standards. Pursuing medical assistant certification assures you of receiving training of the highest caliber.
4 | Enhanced Earnings for Certified MAs
Certified medical assistant salaries hinge on multiple factors. In states where certification is compulsory, medical assistants often enjoy higher earnings compared to states without such requirements.
For instance, nationally certified medical assistants residing in Washington earn more than their counterparts in Alabama, where certification is not obligatory.
The annual mean wage for MAs spans from $24,430 to $35,660 across over half of the U.S. Washington, Alaska, and Massachusetts, with annual mean salaries ranging from $44,200 to $47,320, contend with a higher cost of living.
5 | Anticipating Mandatory Requirements for Certification
Pursuing medical assistant certification is prudent as it may soon become mandatory. Presently, a handful of states necessitate medical assistants to complete a formal program. These states include:
Massachusetts
New Jersey
North Dakota
South Dakota
Washington
Arizona
However, similar to other healthcare professions, the trend leans towards obligatory education and certification.
Medical assistant certification signifies proficiency, enhancing the likelihood of superior job performance, ultimately translating into improved patient outcomes.
6 | Expanded Job Prospects
Certification amplifies your employability and job prospects. Your national medical assistant certification showcases your commitment to delivering high-quality patient care.
Especially in states where certification is yet to be compulsory, it underscores your dedication to excellence in the eyes of employers. For positions in specialized fields such as podiatry or pediatrics, employers are more inclined to hire certified individuals.
7 | Hospitals Seek Certified Nursing and Medical Assistants
Hospitals are elevating the standards for healthcare professionals across the spectrum, including certified nurses and medical assistants.
Most hospitals aspire to increase the ratio of bachelor’s-prepared nurses and incorporate certified medical assistants. This enhances risk mitigation against malpractice and contributes to the evaluation by the Joint Commission.
CMAs shoulder both clinical and clerical responsibilities. They find roles in diverse healthcare settings, including:
Physicians’ offices
Outpatient clinics
Hospitals
Other community healthcare delivery settings
8 | Certification Validates Clinical Judgment
Employers value nationally certified medical assistants as certification validates the mastery of knowledge and skills requisite for job performance.
Patients, families, employers, and medical assistants all stand to benefit from certification. Complex healthcare demands specialized care from a proficient team.
Amidst the evolving healthcare landscape, becoming a certified medical assistant signals competence. Certification becomes a hallmark of excellence for both the provider and the institution.
9 | Access to Continuing Education Resources
Numerous hiring institutions sponsor opportunities for continuing education units (CEUs), often translating to free educational experiences. The AAMA mandates recertification for CMAs every 60 months.
A nationally certified medical assistant can either retake the certification exam or submit 60 recertification CEUs to maintain their certification. Out of these, 30 must be endorsed by the AAMA and cover administrative, clinical, and general education topics.
10 | Elevated Esteem
Medical assistants collaborate with highly educated healthcare professionals. Certification serves as evidence of clinical prowess and administrative proficiency, thereby commanding respect from colleagues.
This respect can manifest as enhanced job stability and the prospect of requesting preferable shifts. Medical professionals with certification in medical assisting also contribute value to the organization, cultivating respect from peers in return.
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