Your Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Medical Assistant
Are you looking for a career in the healthcare field? Becoming a medical assistant can be an excellent choice for you. Medical assistants are in high demand and are essential members of healthcare teams.
They perform various duties, from patient care to administrative tasks, making them a crucial component of any healthcare setting.
If this sounds like a career path you want to pursue, here is your step-by-step guide to becoming a medical assistant.
Research Medical Assistant Programs
The first step in becoming a medical assistant is to research the programs available in your area.
Accredited programs can be found at community colleges, vocational schools, and technical institutes.
Depending on the program, medical assistant training can take anywhere from nine months to two years to complete.
It’s essential to ensure that the program you choose is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Complete an Accredited Medical Assistant Program
Your next step is to enroll in an accredited medical assistant program, where you’ll learn the skills you need to perform the duties of a medical assistant.
You’ll learn about medical terminology, medical office procedures, medical coding and billing, clinical procedures, and patient communication.
You’ll also learn how to handle medical documents and maintain patient records.
Gain Clinical Experience
After completing your education, your next step is to gain clinical experience.
This is where you’ll learn about patient care, such as taking vital signs, preparing patients for procedures, and assisting healthcare providers with examinations.
Many programs include an externship where you’ll get hands-on experience in a medical setting.
You can also consider volunteering or working in a medical office to gain experience.
Become Certified
Although certification is not required to become a medical assistant, it can increase your employment opportunities and earning potential.
To become certified, you will need to pass an exam offered by organizations like the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
To be eligible for certification, you must have completed an accredited medical assistant program or have at least five years of experience working as a medical assistant.
Start Your Job Search
Once you’ve completed your education and gained clinical experience, it’s time to start your job search.
You can find job openings online on job boards and healthcare professional forums.
You can also network with professionals in your field and inquire about job openings.
Lastly, you can check with your externship site or the medical office where you’re already working, as they may have job openings.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a medical assistant requires education, clinical experience, and certification.
By following the steps outlined above, you can start your career in the healthcare field and become an essential member of any healthcare team.
Your new career will involve supporting patients and healthcare providers, working in a fast-paced environment, and learning new skills every day.
With the demand for medical assistants expected to grow, this career is an excellent choice for those who want to work in the healthcare field.
Bio: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.
Category: Career
