subject: 3 Simple Steps You Can Take To Become A Certified Medical Assistant [print this page] After earning a degree in medical assisting, you can rush out and get a job in this field. But the process is very complicated. The reason for this is that most employers prefer to hire someone with a certificate. Therefore, before you consider applying for a job, you might want to consider getting and passing a certification examination.
You can become a certified medical assistant if you have passed the certification examination administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and other organizations. The said certification simply shows that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to work as a MA.
However, you cannot just take a certification examination. You have to complete a degree program in this field from an accredited school. Plus, you have to complete externship program to better hone your skills.
Ways to become certified
In order to become certified, you will need to carry out the following steps:
- Complete a training program. It would be easier for you to pass a certification examination if you are familiar with medical terminology, laboratory procedures and anatomy and physiology. These subjects are taught in a MA school. Again, you need to choose a school that is accredited by the AAMA.
- Apply for the certification examination. After completing a training program, you can apply and take the examination, which is available throughout the year. You need to fill out an application and submit the required documents.
- Pay the fee. The examination fee can go from $125 to $250. After submitting your application and paying the required fee, you need to wait for days or weeks before you can receive a notification of the status of your application. When your application is approved, you will receive an instruction on how to make a schedule for the examination.
What are the benefits of becoming a certified MA?
- Certification is not a requirement when applying for a medical assisting job. That means, you can work in a doctor's office, clinic, hospital and other health care facilities even without a certification. However, the majority of employers would hire applicants with a Certified Medical Assistant designation. So here are two of the main benefits of being certified.
- Increased employability. Certified MAs have better job prospects than those who are not certified.
Enhanced earning potential. Apart from employability, becoming certified allows you to receive three cents more an hour than those who are non-certified. That means, your annual salary is way higher than non-certified medical assistants.
In addition to being marketable, your employer will give you more responsibilities. This simply means that you will get better job position and promotion opportunities in the future. So, do not underestimate the benefits of certification as it can help you lead a better career.
