Becoming a Medical Assistant (MA) or Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) in today’s market is a good choice. The demand for Medical Assistants is on the rise, and it is projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S in the coming years.
If you are looking to become a Medical Assistant, following these steps will take you from figuring out if this career is a good fit to landing the job.
1. Determine if a Medical Assistant Career is a Good Fit
The positives of working as a MA or CMA are numerous, including excellent job stability, high demand, and lot of versatility within your career. Most Medical Assistants work in doctor’s offices, with a smaller number working in hospitals. Their daily tasks encompass both working with patients to take their vitals and check their histories to administrative office responsibilities. One negative to take into consideration is that from the position of a Medical Assistant there are limited opportunities for advancement without further education.
2. Go to Medical Assistant School
There are two types of Medical Assistant school: certification programs or associates programs. Earning a certification usually takes from nine months to a year, and an associate degree takes two years. The perquisite to these courses is a GED or its equivalent, which you should earn before you enroll. During Medical Assistant School you will learn the basic knowledge required on the job, from medical terminology to how medical billing works.
3. Get Certified
Having a certification to work as a Medical Assistant is not required, but is advantageous when searching for jobs. In order to take the certification exam you must have recently graduated from earning your certification/associate degree. The certification exam is offered three times per year (January, June, & October) and will cost you $195 if you are a member of the AAMA, CAAHEP, or ABHES or $154 if not a member. Make sure to register for an exam month that leaves you plenty of time to study after you have graduated.
4. Apply for Jobs
Once you have earned your certification, Congratulations! You are ready to start work as a Medical Assistant. As you apply for positions, don’t forget to customize your resume and cover letter for each position. For current Medical Assistant position openings, check out our website.
With such a bright future forecast, Medial Assistant jobs are a smart and versatile job choice. And by completing these four steps you can be working as a Medical Assistant in no time!