Working as a medical assistant is a great way to work in a rewarding office environment and become a valuable part of the health service industry, and becoming one isn’t as hard as some people think.
The first step is the obvious one: Get your degree. Obviously, there are many smaller steps on the path to this goal, but you won’t be able to find quality employment without the training to back it up. Many online college and universities offer associate’s degrees in medical assisting, and the programs generally take two years of full-time schooling, or more if you want to use the flexibility of an online degree program to attend school while you work. As you research potential schools, be sure to check that the institutions are accredited schools that guarantee an education and not just shady diploma mills out to victimize students by giving them a degree without the intellectual backing. By choosing an accredited school, you also ensure that future employers will be more willing to hire you.
It’s also a good idea when pursuing a career as a medical assistant to be accredited by the American Association of Medical Assistants, a national professional organization. It’s not a requirement to be certified by the group, but it’s a smart move: The accreditation bolsters your reputation for employers and demonstrates that your skills have passed muster with a professional organization devoted to institutional quality.
In order to be a Certified Medical Assistant by the AAMA — what’s known as a CMA (AAMA) — you’ll need to graduate from a medical assistant program that’s been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Check with your prospective online college or university to see if they meet this requirement. Once you’ve got your degree, you’ll need to sit for a qualifying exam to test your schooling and certify you to work as a medical assistant at the level required by the AAMA. There are study materials and practice materials available online, as well as through the AAMA and your online degree program.
With an online degree in medical assisting and the accreditation of your professional organization, you’ll be equipped with the best possible tools to help you get a great job in the medical field.
