The medical field is built on a foundation of mutual help and understanding. Medical assistants are part of this vital structure. While doctors and nurses are usually considered the flag-bearers of this field, they could not succeed without assistants.

In this guide, you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about how to become a medical assistant. You will learn about the roles and responsibilities as well as common education tracks. This rewarding career is only a few steps away.

A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who assists doctors in clinics and hospitals. Medical assistants are usually responsible for managing patients and performing preliminary tasks such as taking vital signs, recording height and weight, and more.

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Medical assistants work directly with doctors. They aid the medical process by collecting a patient’s information before their appointment to save time. Even though medical assistants work with doctors, they are not qualified to give medical advice to patients.

To become a medical assistant, you can attend a vocational school, community college, or university. Each program can teach you the vital skills you need for the role. In the next section, we take a look at these pathways in more detail.

The best medical assistant education tracks can teach you important knowledge and give you experience in the field. Listed below are some of the most common education pathways to become a medical assistant.

One of the shortest paths to becoming a medical assistant is to take up vocational training. These programs usually focus on the basics of medical assistance: medical terminology, transcription, essential procedures, and work ethics. Vocational schools, or trade schools, usually offer more hands-on training.

These programs typically take between nine months and two years to complete. You need to choose a school that is accredited by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). If it is not, it will most likely not be recognized by employers.

An associate degree is one of the best ways to become a medical assistant. These often take two years to complete and include some form of an internship or practical experience to help you get a head start. If you aim to move up to a management or administrative role later in your career, taking up an associate degree is one of the best ways to do so.

If you want to climb the ladder as a medical assistant, you should get a bachelor’s degree. It can help you expand your education and become a more well-rounded medical assistant. You can study health sciences or a similar topic to learn how to become a medical assistant.

There are a few vital steps you need to follow to become a medical assistant. Read below to learn more about the pathway to becoming a medical assistant.

Medical assistants are the trusted aides of medical professionals like doctors and nurses. More often than not, they need to step up and help doctors by carrying out basic preliminary tasks for them. To become a successful medical assistant, you need to have a few important skills.

According to PayScale, medical assistants make an average salary of approximately $34,536. Given that the job requires no formal education, this is a good number. Further, you can climb up the career ladder to work as a certified medical assistant or a registered nurse.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a growth of 19 percent in medical assistant roles by 2029. This number is much higher than the average expected growth for all occupations. It shows that the medical assistant position is here to stay.

The most exciting part about becoming a medical assistant is that it requires no formal education. You can start working as an entry-level medical assistant with only a high school diploma if you put your best foot forward. It is an entry-level position in general, so you don’t have to worry about extensive promotions or competition.

A medical assistant performs a large number of tasks to help keep a clinic or hospital running smoothly. The dynamic nature of this role brings in a wide range of responsibilities. Most medical assistants handle administrative duties and essential medical duties in their workplace.

Below are some of the everyday tasks that medical assistants usually take up as part of their day-to-day responsibilities.

Certifications can help boost your resume as you search for medical assistant jobs. Below are a couple of top medical assistant certifications to help improve your chances of landing a job.

The Certified Medical Assistant certification is offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). It is one of the most popular certifications and is recognized widely by employers. If you want to become a medical assistant, this is an important certification to have.

The CMA Exam requires you to graduate from a one- or two-year medical assisting program offered by a school accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). You need to renew the certification every five years. The exam fee ranges between $125 and $250 depending on how soon you register for the exam after graduating.

The second most widely recognized certification for medical assistants, Registered Medical Assistant, is provided by the American Medical Technologists certification agency. RMA requirements are slightly more extensive than the CMA requirements. You need to be a graduate from an approved medical assistant program.

Alternatively, you can take the RMA exam if you have worked as a medical assistant for at least five years or hold another medical assisting certification from an approved organization. The exam fee for RMA is $120, but this is subject to change.

The best way to prepare for a medical assistant job interview is to brush up on your basics. Go through situation handling, patient management, and other topics related to the medical field. You also need to be clear on the essential medical responsibilities you might encounter on the job.

Below are a few common medical assistant job interview questions to help you ace your interview.

Since becoming a medical assistant does not have a compulsory education pathway, you can start soon as you gain enough experience. For some people, two months of training can be sufficient, while some may need more than half a year. You can also enter a vocational program or try getting a degree. If you’re worried about time, check out an online college.

If you aim to excel in the medical field, be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time training on the actual job. The more experience you gain, the better your chances are of increasing your income and moving higher on the career ladder.

Yes, you should become a medical assistant in 2021. This year is brimming with opportunities in the medical field. If you consider the predictions of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be more job openings in the coming years.

If you work hard as a medical assistant, you will find it easy to grow in your career. You could become a registered nurse or another practitioner in the future. Therefore, becoming a medical assistant is one of the wisest career choices that you can take right now.