How to Become A Medical Assistant

Students normally take a year to successfully complete their medical assistant training programs. These are offered by a wide variety of colleges, universities, community colleges and, training and technical schools. These programs in the United States normally result in a diploma or a certificate in a related field.

Several community colleges and junior colleges in the United States offer two-year programs in medical training or medical assistance and this may lead to an associate’s degree.

All of these programs, in addition to classroom instruction, provide laboratory access to students.

Educational Requirements

In most states, there are no set educational prerequisites for becoming a medical assistant. However, a few states may require assistants to graduate from an accredited program, successfully clear an exam, perform various advanced medical tasks, such as administering and taking injections and x rays etc.

In some cases students acquire a high school diploma or equivalent to apply for medical assistant positions in hopes of learning their duties and responsibilities on the job.

The coursework for medical assistant programs may include:

• Medical terminology
• Medical billing
• First aid
• Science and mathematics
• Anatomy

Training for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants without relevant postsecondary education get their training, develop their skills and learn their tasks on the job. Physicians, doctors and experienced assistants may help a new medical assistant in understanding how to perform daily clinical tasks, medical terminology, how to handle medical instruments and the familiarization with different types of medical equipment. Medical assistants may also learn to record patient information and how to compile and manage both electronic and paper health records. It may take you several months to complete your on-the-job training.

Licensure, Registrations and Certification

Normally, being certified is not a set prerequisite to become a medical assistant, though employers generally tend to hire medical assistants who are certified. Various recognized organizations provide certification for medical assistants. Some certification bodies require the assistant to successfully clear an exam, while others require the assistant to graduate from an accredited program.

In the United States, the National Committee for Certifying Agencies, which is headed by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, is responsible for accrediting five certifications in relation to medical assistants. These are:

• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant from the National Healthcare Association
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant from the National Healthcare Association
• National Certified Medical Assistant from the National Center for Competency Testing
• Certified Medical Assistant from the American Association of Medical Assistants
• Registered Medical Assistant from the American Medical Technologists

Specification and Expertise

In hospitals or larger practices, medical assistants may be required to specialize, so they may be able to perform various tasks.

These specialized medical assistant types may include:

• Administrative Medical Assistants

These medical assistants fill our insurance and other medical forms for patients. They also manage patient appointments and attend phone calls. Administrative medical assistants may also be required to store, maintain and buy medical equipment and other supplies for the clinic or hospital.

• Clinical Medical Assistants

These assistants may be required to do clinical tests, sterilize medical equipment and dispose contaminated equipment and supplies such as used injections. In addition to this, clinical medical assistants may also be required to prep patients for x rays, drawing blood, removing stitching, changing dressings or instructing patients about medication and special diets.

• Podiatric Medical Assistants

Podiatric assistants work with podiatric doctors or foot doctors. These assistants develop and take x rays, make feet castings and assist podiatrists in surgery.

• Ophthalmic and Optometric Medical Assistants

These medical assistants help ophthalmologists and optometrists. They help the patients in learning how to remove, care for and insert contact lenses. These assistants may also assist ophthalmologists in surgery.

Important Skills and Qualities Expected of a Medical Assistant

There are several skills and qualities that a medical assistance program will aim to develop in you for increasing your potential. Your employer will expect you to display these very abilities and skills on the job. These skills may include:

• Analytical Skills

Medical assistants are expected to understand and analyze medical charts and diagnoses. You as a medical assistant may also be required to code a patient’s medical records and other documents for the purpose of billing.

• Detailed Oriented

As a medical assistant, you will have to keep in mind that insurance companies and physicians rely on accurate records. Thus medical assistants need to be accurate when taking vital signs or recording other relevant patient information.

• Interpersonal Skills

As a medical assistant, you would be expected to present and discuss the patient’s information with various medical personnel, such as doctors and physicians. You as medical assistant may encounter various situations where you may have to interact with patients that are in pain, distress or trauma etc. In these situations you will have to act in a professional, calm and composed manner.

• Technical Skills

In the capacity of a medical assistant, you must have the basic working knowledge of clinical equipment and tools. This is essential for checking a patient’s vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse checking and heart rate etc.

Your Duties and Tasks as a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are generally required to perform several tasks and responsibilities, these tasks and responsibilities may include:

• Taking the patient’s blood and preparing it for laboratory use and tests.
• Schedule patient appointments
• Assist and help the doctor with patient examination
• Administer injections to patients as prescribed by the doctor.
• Measure vital signs of the patient
• Take, record and analyze patients’ medical history and personal information

Medical assistants record and take a patients personal information and medical history. As a medical assistant, you must ensure that this information is kept confidential and discuss it only with those medical personnel that are involved directly with the treatment of the patient.

In this modern world, electronic health records (EHRs) systems are rapidly changing the dynamics of a medical assistant’s tasks and responsibilities. Increasing numbers of physicians and doctors are adopting EHRs, transferring all their patients’ medical records and information to the online system. Medical assistants need to educate themselves about the EHR software that the office they are working in is using.

How to become a Medical Assistant in Texas?

To become a Medical Assistant in Texas, you should preferably have a high school diploma or an equivalent GED certificate. There are no mandatory educational requirements. Most medical assistants receive training on the job. However, many employers prefer hiring medical assistants holding a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools certification. After that, you can take the Certified Medical Assistant exam administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners.

How to become a Medical Assistant in California?

To become a Medical Assistant in California, you need a high school diploma or an equivalent GED certificate. No specific educational requirements need to be fulfilled. Entry level medical assistants receive training on the job. However, employers prefer hiring individuals who hold a Medical Board of California-approved certification like the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs qualification. You can then take the California Certified Medical Assistant exam from the California Certifying Board of Medical Assistants.