5 Things You Never Knew About Medical Assistant Certification
To work as a medical assistant in Texas, you need to hold a certification that shows that you understand the basics of patient care, that you are capable of carrying out main health care duties, and that you possess all the essential skills for the job. If you are considering training for a medical assistant certification but are still unsure, these five facts may sway your opinion.
1. There Are Several Options for Medical Assistant Certifications
Medical assistants work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, emergency care offices, government agencies, schools, nursing homes, and the military. Rather than a single certification for all types of medical assistants, there are several that reflect different areas of specialization. Depending on your area of study, you could be eligible for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified EKG Technician (CET), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), or Electronics Health Records Specialist (EHRS) certifications.
2. Certification Programs Vary in Length
Programs leading to a certification can take anywhere from 7 months to 2 years to complete, depending on your school, area of study, and whether you take classes full-time or part-time, such as during the evenings or weekends.
3. Certifications Involve a Diverse Skill-set
Medical assistants need to utilize both clinical and administrative skills on a daily basis. Taking a certification gives you the opportunity to expand your knowledge on a range of topics, including phlebotomy, EKG monitoring, patient care, and pharmacology, and improve your office administration and professional communication abilities.
4. Training for a Certification Will Give You Hands-On Experience
Training during a certification program consists of lectures, interactive activities, and hands-on experience, where you interact with professionals in health care and their patients. This gives you the chance to learn proper techniques for taking medical histories, checking vital signs, explaining procedures to patients, assisting practitioners during their examinations, performing X-rays, and drawing blood for samples.
5. Job Outlook for Holders of Certifications Is Excellent
The aging population means that certified medical assistants are in high demand; they can carry out routine clinical duties, enabling physicians and other qualified health care workers to see more patients. Projected job growth is 29 percent between 2012 and 2022 — much faster than average — according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The best way to gain a medical assistant certification is to take a program specifically designed to prepare you for your desired exam. This will not only improve your chances of passing first time, it will also provide you with all the skills and knowledge you need for success in your new career and help you to procure a well-paid, interesting job in Texas.
This article was published on: 05/16/15 7:10 PM
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