Medical Assistant Information

Employers generally prefer to hire medical assistants who are certified, as they know that those with medical assistant certifications have proved that they have the minimum skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the tasks required of them. Therefore, those with medical assistant certifications will be likely to need less training and be able to get up to speed more quickly in a new position.

There are a couple different options available for medical assistant certifications. One of these options is to become a registered medical assistant (RMA) through meeting the requirements of the American Medical Technologists (AMT). The other option for certification is to become a certified medical assistant (CMA) through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Both options for medical assistant certifications require that you complete a medical assistant program that is certified by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Between the two organizations there are programs in almost all of the states, and there are at least a couple programs that offer an online or distance option so even those who do not live near an accredited program can still get the required education.

Besides completing an appropriate educational program, each of these medical assistant certifications requires something more. The AAMA medical assistant certifications require you to pass an exam, and the AMT certifications require you to have five years of work experience if you are not a recent graduate. There are fees involved with getting and retaining these certifications as well.

These medical assistant certifications also need to be renewed. The CMA certification can be renewed through examination or through continuing education credits. The RMA certification is renewed through paying the annual fee and getting the appropriate level of points. Points are earned through continuing education, being employed in the field, giving presentations, and publishing articles, as well as other similar activities.

The two above medical assistant certifications are the most common, but there are also more specialized certifications available as well. The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and a Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant certification, and there are other specialized medical assistant options available as well. You can become a Optometric Assistant, an Opthalmic Assistant, or a Podiatric Assistant, for example.

Most of the organizations that offer medical assistant certifications allow you to complete at least part of the process online. If you go to the website of the organization you can find the applications posted there. However, it appears the CMA exam needs to be taken in person.

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