Top Extra Certifications for Medical Assistants to Boost Your Career

Benefits of Medical Assistant Certifications

  • Increased Opportunities for Employment: Having a medical assistant certification can make a candidate stand out from others and demonstrate a commitment to the profession. These certifications prepare individuals to effectively support healthcare professionals across various medical settings, validating the skills and knowledge necessary for both administrative and clinical tasks.

  • Better Salary: Certified medical assistants can earn higher salaries compared to non-certified medical assistants.

  • More Job Stability: Certification can increase job stability and provide a sense of security in the workplace.

extra certifications for medical assistants

Benefits of Medical Assistant Certifications

Increased Opportunities for Employment

Having a medical assistant certification can significantly increase opportunities for employment in the healthcare industry. Certified medical assistants are in high demand, and many employers require or prefer candidates with certification. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 14% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. With a certification, medical assistants can demonstrate their expertise and commitment to the field, making them more attractive to potential employers.

Certified medical assistants can work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and nursing homes. They can also specialize in specific areas, such as pediatrics, gerontology, or oncology. With a certification, medical assistants can advance their careers and take on more responsibilities, such as leading teams or mentoring new staff members.

In addition, certified medical assistants can also pursue specialized certifications, such as the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA). These certifications can further demonstrate their expertise and commitment to the field, leading to even more job opportunities and career advancement.

Better Salary

Certified medical assistants can earn a better salary compared to non-certified medical assistants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2020. However, certified medical assistants can earn higher salaries, ranging from $40,000 to over $60,000 per year, depending on the location, employer, and level of experience.

Certified medical assistants can also earn higher salaries in specialized fields, such as pediatrics or oncology. For example, a certified pediatric medical assistant can earn a salary ranging from $45,000 to over $70,000 per year, while a certified oncology medical assistant can earn a salary ranging from $50,000 to over $80,000 per year.

In addition, certified medical assistants can also earn bonuses and benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. These benefits can further increase their overall compensation package and make them more attractive to potential employers.

Types of Medical Assistant Certifications

  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification: Offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), this certification validates a professional’s expertise in clinical and administrative tasks.

  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Certification: Designed for medical assistants who want to focus on clinical procedures, this certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Certification: Provided by American Medical Technologists (AMT), this certification validates a professional’s skills and knowledge in providing patient care, performing administrative tasks, and executing clinical procedures.

  • National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) Certification: Recognized for validating the skills of medical assistants in both clinical and administrative capacities, this certification is offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). The NCMA credential highlights the importance of comprehensive training and provides career advancement opportunities.

extra certifications for medical assistants

Types of Medical Assistant Certifications

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification

The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates a medical assistant’s expertise and commitment to the field. The CMA certification is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and is considered one of the most prestigious certifications in the field.

To become a CMA, medical assistants must meet the eligibility requirements, which include graduating from a medical assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). They must also pass the CMA certification exam, which consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as clinical procedures, medical terminology, and administrative tasks.

The CMA certification is valid for 60 months and requires continuing education to maintain. Certified medical assistants must complete 60 continuing education units (CEUs) every 5 years to maintain their certification.

Choosing the Right Certification

  • Consider Your Career Goals: Think about your career aspirations and choose a certification that aligns with your goals.

  • Think About Your Work Environment: Consider the type of work environment you want to work in and choose a certification that is relevant to that setting.

  • Research Certification Requirements: Research the eligibility requirements and exam format for each certification to ensure you choose the right one for you.

extra certifications for medical assistants

Choosing the Right Certification

Medical Assistant Training Programs

  • Accredited Programs: Look for a medical assistant training program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

  • Course Requirements: Ensure the program includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical law, and ethics.

  • Clinical Experience: Look for programs that offer hands-on training with medical equipment and procedures.

Specialty Certifications

  • Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA): Validates a professional’s expertise in medical office administration, including patient registration, scheduling, medical billing, and compliance with healthcare systems and regulations.

  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT): Validates a professional’s expertise in phlebotomy, including blood collection techniques, safety protocols, patient interaction, and proper handling and processing of specimens.

  • Certified EKG Technician (CET): Validates a professional’s expertise in performing EKGs, recognizing cardiac rhythms, and understanding basic cardiac anatomy.

  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA): Validates a professional’s expertise in clinical patient care, including the certification process, the skills validated through the certification, and its relevance to enhancing job prospects for medical assistants in the healthcare field.

extra certifications for medical assistants

Specialty Certifications for Medical Assistants

Advanced Certifications

  • Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA): Validates a professional’s expertise in laboratory settings, including pre-analytical and analytical procedures, specimen handling, and laboratory safety protocols.

  • Certified Podiatric Medical Assistant (CPMA): Validates a professional’s expertise in podiatric patient care, medical office procedures, radiology, and clinical practices specific to a podiatric setting.

extra certifications for medical assistants

Advanced Certifications for Medical Assistants

Medical Assistant Certification Requirements and Process

  • Meet the Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for the certification you choose, including education and work experience.

  • Prepare for the Certification Exam: Use study guides, practice exams, and other resources to prepare for the certification exam. Focus on understanding medical procedures, as they are crucial for demonstrating competence and frequently appear in exam questions.

  • Pass the Certification Exam: Pass the certification exam to become a certified medical assistant.

Exam Resources and Study Materials

  • Study Guides: Use study guides specific to the certification you choose to prepare for the exam.

  • Practice Exams: Take practice exams to assess your knowledge and identify areas for improvement.

  • Exam Options and Certification Boards: Research the exam format and certification boards for each certification to ensure you choose the right one for you.

Career Advancement and Salary Potential

  • Job Opportunities: Certification can increase job opportunities and provide a competitive edge in the healthcare career market.

  • Salary Potential: Certified medical assistants can earn higher salaries compared to non-certified medical assistants.

  • Professional Growth: Certification can provide a sense of accomplishment and pride in one’s work, leading to professional growth and advancement.

Conclusion

  • Boost Your Career with Extra Certifications: Pursuing extra certifications can boost your career as a medical assistant, providing increased job opportunities, better salary, and more job stability.

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