How to Become a Medical Assistant: Step-by-Step Guide
Certified medical assistants have various job options. This guide answers questions about medical assistant requirements and why you should consider certification.
Medical assistants are the first to help patients in medical clinics and offices. They assist patients, nurse practitioners, nurses, and physicians by providing care and ensuring the facility runs smoothly. Individuals looking for careers that blend patient care and administrative duties can use this in-depth guide to learn how to become a medical assistant.
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5 Things Medical Assistants Learn on the Job
How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?
1-2 years
Degree Required:
Medical Assistant Program Certificate or Diploma
Job Outlook:
16% growth from 2021-2031
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
What Is a Certified Medical Assistant?
Certified medical assistants are key members of the healthcare team. They are multi-skilled healthcare professionals who typically work in outpatient settings, such as clinics, medical offices, and outpatient surgical centers.
After learning to become a medical assistant, you are expected to be adept at administrative and clinical responsibilities, such as updating medical records, coordinating admissions, monitoring patient conditions, and assisting nurse practitioners or physicians during exams.
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative duties that are crucial to providing quality patient care in outpatient settings. The following list includes some of the most commonly required tasks, but these activities may vary based on the care setting.
Administrative Duties
– Greeting and checking patients in
– Updating patients’ electronic health records (EHR)
– Scheduling appointments
– Arranging hospital admissions and lab tests
– Filling out insurance paperwork
Clinical Duties
– Measuring vital signs and recording medical histories
– Drawing blood for lab tests
– Explaining treatment procedures
– Assisting providers with examinations, procedures, and minor surgery
– Removing stitches and dressing wounds
What Skills Do You Need to Become a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants learn hard skills during their programs, which they need to perform administrative and patient care duties. However, crucial soft skills are often acquired before enrolling in a medical assistant program. Consider the following:
Hard Skills
– Medical billing and coding
– Medical terminology
– Keyboarding and computer applications
– Clinical assessment and diagnostic skills
– First aid and wound care
Soft Skills
– Written communication
– Interpersonal skills
– Empathy
– Attention to detail
– Analytical skills
Steps to Become a Certified Medical Assistant
To become a medical assistant, you must earn a high school diploma or its equivalent. Next, graduate from an accredited program and apply for certification. You may also advance your career through specialization and further education.
Education and certification requirements vary by state and employer. Even if your state doesn’t require certification, most organizations prefer to hire certified medical assistants, which assures your employer you have the ability and knowledge to perform the necessary duties.
1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalent.
A high school diploma is the minimum education requirement to work as a medical assistant. High school classes in math and science can help you succeed in your medical assistant certification.
2. Graduate from an accredited medical assistant program.
During your accredited medical assistant program, you develop administrative and clinical skills. On the path to becoming a medical assistant, coursework covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, along with CPR certification. You also receive coursework on the cardiovascular system and learn how to perform an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Students learn in-class skills in medical record handling, appointment setting, scheduling, and the basics of medical billing. This includes the various types of insurance plans and companies, how to prepare a superbill, and how to use diagnosis and procedure codes.
Medical assistants may also handle business management for private practices, and most programs include a basic education in management. This includes hiring practices, disciplinary issues, managing people with different personalities, and medical risk management.
3. Apply for medical assistant certification.
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredits medical assistant certification organizations. There are five certification options for medical assistants based on eligibility and clinical care vs. administrative focus. Aspiring professionals typically pursue certification of medical assistant (CMA) credentials through the American Association of Medical Assistants.
4. Pass the CMA (AAMA) exam.
The CMA exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions over four 40-minute test periods. Consider taking a review course and practice exams to improve your chances of passing the CMA exam.
5. Find employment.
Medical assistants typically work in outpatient settings but can often find employment in clinics, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and laboratories. Some medical assistant programs work with local employers to help place students in roles within the facilities.
Consider enrolling in an externship program or volunteering to get additional experience, which can boost your chances of finding a job. Medical assistants may also search online job boards for jobs within private clinics, laboratories, and research centers. Many hospitals maintain lists of open positions on their websites.
6. Advance Your Career With Continued Education
Medical assistants work in entry-level positions within healthcare but can specialize their work and advance their careers. Certification as a clinical or administrative medical assistant demonstrates your advanced knowledge and skills in these areas.
Within clinical practice, medical assistants can specialize in cardiology, family practice, geriatrics, and ophthalmology, among other areas. They may also consider continuing their education in other healthcare subjects.
Some assistants pursue nursing education with associate degrees in nursing (ADNs) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs. ADN-prepared nurses can advance to BSN degrees through RN-to-BSN bridge programs, which are often available completely online. Other options include:
– Office management
– Physician Assistant
– Program management
– Phlebotomy technician
– Surgical technician
– EKG technician
Certified Medical Assistant Schooling
Individuals seeking to become certified medical assistants can choose between two educational paths: obtaining a CMA certificate or earning an associate degree in medical assisting. You can complete a medical assistant program in about 9-12 months, while an associate degree typically takes two years and can serve as a stepping stone for further education.
Certificate Program
A certificate program offers an entry point for those aspiring to become medical assistants. It’s a suitable option for individuals looking to start working quickly, and many of the program’s courses can be taken online. Graduates from accredited certificate programs meet all the requirements for entry-level positions.
Admission Requirements
– High school diploma or equivalent
– Admission into the school if the certificate program is administered through a higher education institution
Program Curriculum
– Basic anatomy and physiology
– Clinical techniques
– Insurance coding
– Front office procedures
– Pharmacology
– Medical terminology
Time to Complete
9-12 months
Credits Earned
30-40
Skills Learned
– Medical terminology
– Patient preparation
– CPR
– Insurance processing
Associate Degree Program
Associate degrees are ideal for medical assistants looking to advance their careers and potentially pursue a bachelor’s degree later on. This program typically requires a minimum of two years of full-time enrollment, encompassing general education classes and medical assistant program requirements.
Admission Requirements
– High school diploma or equivalent
– Application
Program Curriculum
– Medical ethics
– Software application
– Composition
– Anatomy and physiology
– Math
– Applied communications
– Externship
– Medical laboratory procedures
Time to Complete
Two years
Credits Earned
60-75
Skills Learned
– Laboratory sample preparation
– Basic insurance and billing
– Composition and communication
– Computer application
Medical Assistant Certification
Obtaining certification as a medical assistant demonstrates your knowledge, skills, and dedication to your career to potential employers. Most healthcare organizations prefer hiring medical assistants who have graduated from accredited programs and hold certification from one of the five certifying bodies listed below. Each certification has its unique focus and requirements.
Typically, each organization requires completion of an accredited program and supervised work experience. Your choice of certification showcases your specific expertise as a medical assistant, and you can even pursue multiple certifications.
– Certified Medical Assistant (American Association of Medical Assistants): This is the most common certification for new medical assistants before specializing in clinical care or administrative duties.
– Registered Medical Assistant (American Medical Technologists): Candidates must have been employed for at least three of the last seven years to qualify. This nationally recognized certification is accepted in most states.
– National Certified Medical Assistant (National Center for Competency Testing): Eligibility for the exam requires either graduation from an accredited program or two years of physician-supervised, full-time work experience.
– Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (National Healthcareer Association): This certification focuses on clinical care, including vital signs, medications, EKGs, and phlebotomy.
– Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (National Healthcareer Association): These certified medical assistants specialize in administrative duties, including operating computer systems, handling correspondence, coordinating operation reports, and scheduling appointments.
Working as a Certified Medical Assistant
Upon completing your education and becoming certified, you can start your career as a medical assistant by networking within your local community. You can also explore online job boards for positions in outpatient clinics and physicians’ offices.
As of May 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual salary of $38,270 for medical assistants. To learn more about medical assistant salaries and how they vary by location and setting, you can explore further.
Finding a Job as a Certified Medical Assistant
The field of medical assisting is rapidly growing, with BLS projections indicating a 16% job growth rate from 2022 to 2032, surpassing the projected growth rate for all occupations.
Medical assistants can highlight the skills they acquired during their programs, externships, and employment to stand out in the job market. If you’re interested in a role focused on clinical care, consider taking a short volunteer position or externship to gain experience and request a professional letter of recommendation.
Common Work Settings for Medical Assistants
The role of a medical assistant can vary depending on the work setting. According to the BLS, the most common workplace settings are:
Outpatient Centers: In this setting, medical assistants may take vital signs, record medical histories, help with examinations, and schedule appointments.
Physicians’ Offices: In physicians’ offices, medical assistants may administer injections as allowed by state law, draw blood, take throat swabs, and maintain electronic health records (EHRs).
Hospitals: In hospitals, medical assistants may schedule appointments, update treatments, assist with minor procedures, and maintain accurate medical records.
Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Medical Assistant
What is the difference between a CMA and a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?
– A CNA, often referred to as a nurse’s aide, works under the supervision of a nurse and performs tasks such as taking vital signs, changing bed linens, or assisting patients with basic care. Certified medical assistants (CMAs) handle both administrative and clinical duties, including billing, scheduling, and computer software operation.
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
– You can become a medical assistant in nine months by completing a certificate program or in two years by earning an associate degree. A certificate program allows you to enter the workforce more quickly, while an associate degree provides a more comprehensive foundation for advancing your education.
What skills are important for medical assistants?
– Medical assistants need strong clinical, communication, and organizational skills. They should be empathetic toward patients and pay attention to detail in both clinical care and administrative tasks.
What types of questions are included on the CMA exam?
– The CMA exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as psychology, communication, professionalism, and medical terminology. It also includes sections on medical ethics, medical law, and risk management. Administrative questions address medical reception, patient advocacy, business practices, finances, and medical records, while clinical topics include anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient procedures, nutrition, and first aid.
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